Seven Laois players have been named in the Ladies Intermediate football team of the year that was announced this afternoon.
Donie Brennan’s charges scooped All-Ireland glory in July and have been rewarded for their efforts.
Shanahoe goalkeeper Eimear Barry, who won goalkeeper of the year, and Timahoe forward Mo Nerney, who was the top scorer, have been included.
Her Timahoe colleague Aisling Donoher is named at full back while Sarsfields Rachel Williams is named at wing back.
Portlaoise’s Ellen Healy and Park-Ratheniska’s Erone Fitzpatrick, who both won county titles at the weekend, are worthy of their places.
And the seven are completed by Sarsfields’ Laura Marie Maher who has been named at centre forward.
These selections honour outstanding individual displays throughout the 2022 TG4 All-Ireland Championships in the Junior and Intermediate grades.
And the winners are set to receive their awards at a Croke Park function on Friday November 4.
Laois were crowned TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate champions on July 31, following victory in the Final over fellow Leinster outfit, Wexford.
The Teams of the Championship have now been selected by members of the LGFA’s All Star committee.
Ladies Gaelic Football Association President, Mícheál Naughton, commented: “The TG4 All-Ireland Junior and Intermediate Championships produced some outstanding football this year.
“We felt that it was only right and fitting to honour the contributions of Junior and Intermediate Championship players by naming Teams of the Championship in these grades.
“We did so in 2020 and the announcement of the Teams of the Championship revives memories of memorable summer fixtures.
“Across the board, we witnessed stunning saves, spectacular points, clinically taken goals, tight defending, high fielding around the middle of the field and the very best that our sport has to offer.
“Our Junior Final at Croke Park on July 31 was a thriller, before Antrim won the replay, while Laois were pushed all the way by a gallant Wexford outfit in the Intermediate Final.
“The standard of football was superb, however, right from the very start of the All-Ireland series in both competitions, and I wish to compliment the players who ensured that many of the fixtures that were played will be talked about long into the future.
“To launch the 2022 TG4 All-Ireland Championships, we were delighted to announce a five-year extension of our partnership.
“Our new deal with TG4 will last until the conclusion of the 2027 season and I wish to put on the record my sincere thanks to TG4 Director General, Alan Esslemont, Head of Sport, Rónán Ó Coisdealbha, and the entire TG4 team for their outstanding commitment to our sport.”
Alan Esslemont, Ard-Stiúrthóir TG4, added: “Comhghairdeas le gach duine de na 30 imreoirí a ainmníodh inniu ag ócáid ‘Peil na mBan – Foirne na Bliana’.
“I am delighted that we can showcase both the Junior and Intermediate grades at this special occasion.
“These grades have often served up some of the most closely-matched and skilful contests for TG4’s audiences and this was especially true this year where Wexford fought Laois every step of the way before finally losing by two points.
“In the Junior grade only a replay in the searing heat of the Athletic Grounds in Armagh separated the victorious Antrim from gallant Fermanagh.
“TG4 salutes all of the wonderful athletes on these two teams and congratulates all of the Junior and Intermediate teams for such an entertaining season.”
LADIES INTERMEDIATE TEAM OF THE YEAR
- Eimear Barry – Laois
- Sarah Harding Kenny – Wexford
- Aisling Donoher – Laois
- Tara Kelly – Clare
- Rachel Williams – Laois
- Róisín Murphy – Wexford
- Ellen Healy – Laois
- Aisling Reidy – Clare
- Laura Fleming – Roscommon
- Caitríona Murray – Wexford
- Laura-Marie Maher – Laois
- Erone Fitzpatrick – Laois
- Mo Nerney – Laois
- Aisling Murphy – Wexford
- Fidelma Marrinan – Clare
SEE ALSO – Introducing our penultimate Senior football team of the week for 2022
