ARMAGH have been contenders in recent years but on the Waterfront in Belfast they proved to be the big winners at the 2024 Irish News Ulster All-Stars.
Not only did the Orchard County dominate the selections in both Men’s and Ladies Football, they also collected three individual awards after a superb season for those in orange.
Barry McCambridge was named as Men’s Footballer Player of the Year while the female equivalent went to Lauren McConville in front of almost 400 guests at the ICC Belfast.
In addition, the inaugural ‘Rising Star’ accolade was awarded to Armagh’s Oisin Conaty, who is also in the running for the national Young Footballer of the Year.
Even guest speaker Martin O’Neill – the former Northern Ireland captain and Republic of Ireland boss - has an Armagh connection, with his brother Gerry having managed them to the All-Ireland Final in 1977.
Having gone one better this year, aving All-Ireland champions Armagh won nine places on the Irish News men’s football team, with six going to Ulster champions Donegal.
Armagh’s Ladies Footballers did almost as well, with eight selected, and were joined by three from Fermanagh, two from Donegal, and one each from Down and Tyrone.
Hurler of the Year was won by Antrim defender Paddy Burke, one of 10 Saffrons on the side, along with two Derry men and one each from Donegal, Down, and Fermanagh.
Camogie Player of the Year is Derry’s Aine Barton, who was joined by six Oak Leaf colleagues on the overall selection, just edging out Antrim, who won six. One each from Armagh and Down completed the 15.
McCambridge earning the top men’s football honour came as no surprise, given that his displays also have him nominated for the national Footballer of the Year Award.
The Clann Eireann clubman impressed enough with his man-marking against top forwards Shane McGuigan, Diarmuid Murtagh, David Clifford, and Shane Walsh (twice), but he also got forward to score goals against Roscommon and against Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final.
McConville was another attacking defender in orange who inspired Armagh to win
Burke’s defensive displays for Antrim have earned him a deserved nomination for a national Allstar, while Derry captain Barton’s performances in the half-forward line helped them retain their senior championship status.
GAA President and Armagh native Jarlath Burns was unable to attend the event as he is in Australia but in a video message he praised the successes of Ulster teams across the various codes.
The Silverbridge man also re-iterated the Association’s determination to ensure Casement Park is re-developed, saying:
“We as an organisation remain committed to building Casement and providing Antrim GAA with a home. It has been a long road, and how quickly we reach the end destination will be determined by the clarity we are urgently seeking from the other stakeholders involved.
“Needless to say, the same focus shown by Ulster teams on the field in 2024 will continue to be shown by Ulster GAA and everyone else involved in the project in the weeks and months ahead to chart a path forward for the stadium.”
The Irish News Editor Chris Sherrard was delighted with how the awards evening went, commenting: “The Irish News Ulster All Stars is a really proud event for us and this year’s ceremony continued that fine tradition.
“It’s been a terrific year for Ulster teams across all the codes so it was great that we were able to recognise their efforts and achievements in this way.
“My thanks to everyone who came along, particularly Martin O’Neill who was his usual inimitable self.
“Particular thanks to the tens of thousands of people who cast their votes, meaning we could say with certainty that the people had spoken and have selected our worthy winners for 2024.”
