PREVIEW: 2023 CAMOGIE PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Ulster Camogie is coming down with exceptionally talented players, so it’s no easy ask to find and anoint a Camogie Player of the Year award in association with Ulster Camogie.

This time last year it was Loughgiel Shamrocks sensation Róisín McCormick who was named as the winner, and she was a fitting recipient after a stunning string of attacking performances en route to a narrow defeat in the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship final at Croke Park.

She’s in the reckoning once again as the clock counts down to next Friday evening’s All-Star ceremony alongside five of her esteemed Loughgiel colleages.

Defensive stalwart Charlene Campbell was in top form in their run to retaining Ulster, as was Emma McFadden. For the second year running we’ve opted for Loughgiel midfielders Amy Boyle and Lucia McNaughton to take their places in the middle of our Camogie Team of the
Year, while Caitrin Dobbin was as lethal as ever up front.

Elsewhere at senior level, beaten Ulster finalists Liatroim have two representatives on our Camogie Team of
the Year, namely Karen McMullan and Dearbhla Magee, two hugely experienced campaigners who did their level best to keep Loughgiel honest.

That’s without mentioning Sleacht Néill star Céat McEldowney, who also makes the grade. Eglish star Reagan Fay, one of the best camogs operating in the Red Hand County, makes our team of the year, while All- Ireland Junior champions Granemore have a bumper representation with four girls on the team, all of whom are therefore in contention with the big individual award to be named on the
night.

Rachael Merry is certainly up there, having shot the lights out on repeated occasion on a famous year for the Orchard County club, while dual star Corinna Doyle, Grainne McWilliams and goalkeeper Ciarrai Devlin are also among the runner and riders.

Finally, Crossmaglen had a brilliant year and Aislinn McMahon rounds off the final 15.