THOMAS Davis celebrated on the double on Saturday night as Dublin Ladies Footballers Siobhán McGrath and Olwen Carey picked up awards at the TG4 Ladies Football All-Stars, not too far from home at the Citywest Hotel in Saggart.
It was an extra-special night for McGrath who also claimed the ‘Senior Players Player of the Year’ award, as All-Ireland Senior Champions Dublin picked up the biggest number of All-Stars on the night with Seven awards.
Three of Dublin’s All-Stars came on the half-forward line with Clann Mhuire’s Carla Rowe; Niamh McEvoy from St. Sylvester’s and Skerries Harps player Lyndsay Davey picking up awards.
28-year old McEvoy was honoured with an All-Star for the first time, but wasn’t present on the night due to her Aussie Rules commitments.
Davey picked up her fifth All-Star, following awards in ‘05, ‘14, ‘15 and ‘18.
Along with Carey, Niamh Collins and Sinead Goldrick also claimed awards in defence.
13 Dublin players were shortlisted for awards, with St. Brigid’s goalkeeper Ciara Trant; Kilmacud Crokes trio Éabha Rutledge, Aoife Kane and Lauren Magee; along with Cuala’s Martha Byrne in contention.
Galway and Ballyboden St. Enda’s player Sinead Burke was also honoured with her second All-Star in defence, and was one of four Galway winners on the night.
“I’m extremely honoured to win this award, and thanks to everybody. I’m representing the girls that I play with – the Dublin girls, and the management of this unbelievable set-up. I’m just extremely honoured to get this,” McGrath said on stage after collecting her ‘Senior Players’ Player of the Year’ award.
“It puts the icing on the cake on a great season. Girls up here have had. They are absolutely fantastic footballers. The amount of effort that everyone puts in throughout the year, and to just get this honour at the end of it is a great achievement.
“Too be fair, a lot of players could have got that (award) tonight, and I’m just lucky enough to be one that got it. Ladies Football is in a really, really good place and to see the amount of representation that’s on that stage is great.”
McGrath said it was a brilliant feeling to see Dublin getting seven All-Star awards.
“Yes I don’t think we could complain about anything. It’s great and to get seven awards is just unbelievable. A lot of the girls are playing very good football out there across all counties, so I think it’s really good the representation.”
It may be the middle of November, but talk of the new season is already underway, with the league fixtures released last Tuesday.
Dublin will host Tipperary in their first game on the last weekend of January.
It’s followed by an away trip to Mayo a week later, with home ties against Cork and Galway, before trips to Waterford , Donegal and Westmeath.
McGrath hopes everyone will stick around.
“I think that’s more on an individual basis. I don’t know about the other girls, but I’ll probably talk to him. It depends where you are in your career as well. Hopefully most of us will stay going! I think everybody does that (meeting with management) individually, and I don’t think anyone puts it out there what they are doing until they probably give them another few weeks to make up their minds.”
