WATCH: Camogie player of the year Róisín McCormick, Loughgiel

RÓISÍN McCormick said she was left “speechless” after being named 2022 Gaelic Life Ulster Club Camogie Player of the Year.

The Loughgiel star received a huge ovation at the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan on Friday night as her epic performances in helping the Antrim side to a coveted Ulster title were recognised.

McCormick only came back from injury ahead of the big Ulster clash, and it’s no coincidence that the Shamrocks saw their season take off from there.

“I’m speechless, it hasn’t sunk in yet,” she said. “But I’m truly grateful to be picking up this award.”

Keen to praise the input of her team-mates, McCormick said that it was a season they would never forget after eventually ending their recent Sleacht Néill hoodoo in the provincial decider.

Benny Dillon’s side built on that to reach the All-Ireland decider where they narrowly lost out to Sarsfields, and McCormick hopes they can atone for that in the future.

“Obviously getting over Sleacht Néill in the Ulster final and pushing on through the semis and getting to Croke Park and playing in HQ.

“Unfortunately it didn’t go our way that day but it was a great year with the fresh new management team in so hopefully it’s all guns blazing for next year and hopefully we can make it to the final again.”

McCormick attributed a lot of their success to the fresh approach brought by Dillon and his team.

“The new management brought a new perspective to the year,” she said.

“We went in with that extra bit of preparedness and threw everything at it. We finally got over the line (in Ulster) and that was a major boost for us, our club and community.”

All-Ireland glory was close with the Galway side winning 2-14 to 1-14, but the Antrim side – with McCormick catching the eye with an incredible long-range free in the second half – pushed them all the way.

“Sarsfields have that extra few years of experience over this but hopefully with this year gone by, it’ll all pay off.”