McIntosh treble in Camogie All Stars

EOS IT solutions Ulster Schools’ Camogie All-stars 2022-23

THE McIntosh sisters from Ballycastle made history this week when they were included in the EOS IT Solutions Ulster Schools’ All-star camogie team announced on Wednesday at a reception in UU Jordanstown.

Twins Elen and Faye were joined by younger sister Janey in the final selection and it is the first time three members of the same family have made a single selection since the awards were introduced in 2004.

The first ever selection in 2004 included the McDonnell twins, Bronagh and Orla, while another set of twins, Cliodhna and Áine Donnelly, made the 2015 team. Now we have the McIntosh twins plus one in the latest team who were selected after preliminary trials last week and a final trial on Tuesday.

All three McIntoshs were members of the Antrim minor team that swept to provincial glory back in April with Janey picking up the Player of the Match in the final against Derry, while the twins helped the Saffrons to the 2021 All-Ireland minor title.

A fourth student in Cross & Passion, Aoibheann Donnelly, also makes the panel which is dominated by the three north Antrim schools and St Patrick’s Maghera who all begin their quest for Corn Uan Uladh after the Halloween break.

There are five players from St Louis Ballymena including Dunloy’s Katie Molloy who is one of four players from last season’s squad to make it through the final trial. Joining Katie is club-mate Eimear Johnston, Brídíní Óga Glenravel pair Erin Coulter and Sarah Fyfe as well as Loughgiel goalie Eimear McGivern.

The third school from the area with multiple players in the squad is St Killian’s Garron Tower. Four players from the Ruairí Óg club in Cushendall get the nod, including Abi McNeill, Cara O’Boyle and Orlaith McAlister who were on the school team that collected the All-Ireland under 16 title last year.

Lára Haughey is the fourth Garron Tower student to make the cut.

The 14th Antrim player in the panel is Creggan’s Eavanne Martin who is a student in St Patrick’s Maghera and who is also receiving her second award.

There are also second awards for Down senior player Ciara Fitzsimons from Our Lady’s & St Patrick’s Knock and Rachel Keenan from St Mary’s Magherafelt while Sinéad Quinn is also included. SInéad played against Antrim for Armagh in the recent All-Ireland Junior final in Croke Park and is nominated for a Soaring Star award.

Unlike the GAA equivalent, a panel of 24 players is selected in camogie and they will represent Ulster in the schools’ inter-provincial before Christmas. Ulster last won the competition in 2018 captained by current Antrim senior player Maeve Kelly.

Ulster schools’ chairperson Catherine McGourty congratulated the players on their awards:

“This All-star scheme has been in operation now for almost two decades and has recognised many players who have become fixtures in their county senior team.

“106 players attended the preliminary trials during the first week and 45 were recalled for the final trial on Tuesday. The standard of camogie was the highest we have seen and continues to rise each year. “Therefore it is a huge personal achievement for the players to come through the trials and make the final panel. They are a credit to themselves, their families, their coaches at both club and school level and we look forward to hearing more about them in the years ahead.

“I want also to thank University of Ulster Gaelic Academy for the facilities to run the trials and for their generosity in providing a jersey, sponsored by EOS IT Solutions, for each of the 45 players who returned for the final trial.”