ALTHOUGH she would have been waking up on Saturday morning on the other side of the world when her name was called out at the awards event on Friday night in Belfast, Lauren McConville was full of pride in the video message she sent ahead of the Irish News Ulster All-Stars.
The Crossmaglen defender starred this year for Armagh as the Orchard ladies achieved success by winning the National League but came up agonisingly short in the Championship.
Nevertheless, it was Lauren McConville who was voted as the Ladies’ Footballer of the Year and she was understandably delighted at the accolade.
“I’m privileged, I suppose, with Armagh this year. It’s been a reasonably good year and it’s nice for some of that success to be recognised,” said the south Armagh native, who is currently plying her trade in Queensland with the Gold Coast Suns.
“It was a year of mixed emotions for us [on the Armagh panel] as far as we go. We had a reasonably good start and it was amazing to win the Division One title for the first time for the county.
“I feel like we did well in the championship but obviously came up short against Kerry in the semi-final.”
McConville is not satisfied with the individual awards though, her shift in tone shows a hunger for the ultimate prize that has eluded Armagh of late.
She said: “I think we’ve built good foundations you know, it was really promising and we’ll be looking to bring that into next year.
“I think the league is a good chance to develop and to see where you’re at in terms of your squad and it’s depth.
“Coming into the championship, we’ll be looking to go a step further and it’s been on our radar for a few years, to get to another final.”
The All-Star half-back was speaking at the Gold Coast Suns’ training facility against the backdrop of a beautiful Australian sky.
McConville has been spending the latter half of the summer and the autumn adjusting to the AFLW and life in Australia.
“It’s been amazing so far, I’ve had a lot to learn in a short space of time, so it’s been a big adjustment,” sad McConville, who made her debut this year against the Geelong Cats.
“I won’t lie, a bit of a shock to the system, but absolutely loving it. It’s been great getting to know the coaches and getting to know the girls.
“So yeah, I’ll enjoy my last few weeks before heading home.”
In Belfast, Lauren’s mother Michelle McConville collected the award on behalf of her daughter, with just as much joy and pride for Lauren’s achievement.
“I’m sure, in Lauren’s absence, she would be so honoured to accept this award...”, said Michelle.
“I just want to say, on behalf of all the mammies, and there’s loads of mammies here tonight...I know all the struggles for all these young women here tonight, trying to juggle careers, trying to juggle relationships and trying to juggle training.
“I just think it’s a credit to you and every one of you deserves this award in your own right.”
