THE brief was to pick the best side from those she had played alongside or against in her times in a Down, UUJ and Ulster jersey.
Eliza Downey, represented Down for a decade a half between 2001 and 2014, winning an All-Ireland Intermediate Championship in her last year.
She also has an O’Connor Cup medal with UUJ in 2008, represented Ulster on a number of occasions and was part of the LGFA 2010 All Star tour.
1. Linda Martin (Monaghan)
“It was tough on my mum and dad. I knew I was self-destructing. And I also knew the next phase of that, if I had carried on, it was not being here. I was in a very dark place...” - the life and times of Caolan Mooney
‘If you’re still in it when the Christmas tree is up then you’re not going too badly’ - Tommy Coleman’s minors striving for more Clann Eireann success
Always loved a vocal direct goalkeeper who was your extra pair of eyes and a good organiser of the back line. Linda was all of these and a great shot stopper.
2. Caoimhe Marley/Morgan (Armagh)
Blocked a ball in their junior all ireland final that was pivotal in that victory! Always a big fan of her defensive style since then... Loved playing alongside her at inter-pros.
3. Sharon Courtney (Monaghan)
Just a relentless machine that will do a job anywhere but is most dangerous coming from deep. Awesome athlete & a nightmare to play against!
4. Sinead Fegan (Down)
Incredible engine, skill and composure. Always had total confidence in her when she was on the ball. Always rose to the occasion on the big days!
5. Bronagh McCurry/Papenfus (Down)
My first real defensive mentor in Down. Got to learn from the best. Speedy, aggressive, strong & always determined. Dancing on post match nights out - questionable...
6. Kathy Conway/Joyce (Derry)
Such an easy choice! Kathy was a phenomenal player with a great attitude. Speed, work rate and always reliable on ball. Very genuine & a great motivator. Every team needs a Kathy!
7. Sinead Cooney (Roscommon)
Cooney was a focused & ridiculously strong tackler who had no fear retrieving a ball and providing support always. No drama, no fuss & got the job done every time.
8. Caroline O’Hanlon (Armagh)
Lucky to have played on the court and pitch with Caroline. Her composure & focus compliments her sheer skill and talent. She is usually the one pulling the strings at the beginning of a successful attack. Ridiculously competitive & professional.
9. Aoife McDonnell (Donegal)
Big Mac is an athlete who always puts in the hard yards. Her passion/determination drives on the rest of the team. She lives, breathes & sleeps sport. Obsessed with all things Donegal - convinced she works on commission for the tourist board!
10. Gemma Begley (Tyrone)
GB was dynamic and agile. She is a humble/selfless player who always played the best option. She took no mercy if given an inch. Doing great work off field for the WGPA now.
11. Michaela Downey (Down)
A stand out player in games. ‘Lucky’ that i got to mark her in training as it set me up for marking the best in the other counties. Reliable and determined.
12. Noelle Early (Kildare)
Intelligent player with such skill, she always read the game very well. Great leader on the field who notched up some magnificent scores.
13. Ciara McAnespie (Monaghan)
Started off marking her mother Brenda and things got even tougher when Ciara came along. Can turn on a dime, low centre of gravity, great control on the ball and cleverly cuts across defenders to draw a free or cut out an effective tackle. Great eye for goal.
14. Sinead Aherne (Dublin)
Sinead is a class act. Incredible speed, composure and talent. Absolutely tears teams apart with her accuracy and ability to find space. One of the all time greats.
15. Aileen Pyers (Down)
Got to play with/watch her from the age of 10 evolve into one of the best forwards in the country. Clever footballer who won balls she had no right to, sold dummies all over the field and punished teams with her terrifying accuracy. Great player. Great friend.
Subs
Aisling Doonan/Maguire (Cavan)
Doonan was an incredible free taker. Always on the end of anything positive and was also fond of an effective dummy. Great attitude & leader for her county.
Maura Kelly/McMenamin (Tyrone)
Such a solid defender, who didn’t give an opponent an inch. Fantastic under a high ball or standing up an attacker. Always felt safe in the fb line with Maura beside you.
Edel Hanley (Tipperary)
Always wanted to get on the ball and thrived on taking on her opponent. She was the driving force of their attack and never let the pressure get to her.
Caroline Little (Fermanagh)
Bambi as she was known, did her talking on the pitch with her solid carries, continuous work rate and always posed a threat to any back line. Great attitude that led others around her.
Donna English (Cavan)
Strong, tenacious and determined in the tackle, the steal and the carry up the field. Donna always provided support from deep which fractured defences. She was always up for every game!
Overview:
“I found this incredibly difficult. I have been so lucky to have played with/against so many cracking players between Down, UUJ, Ulster and away on the All Star Tour; so many greats I’ve had to leave out.
“There were many players that mentored and guided me, instilled me with shared morals and attitudes and were my only support network at times. There is no list for them but i genuinely wouldn't be who i am or achieved what i have without them.
"Watching Brenda McAnespie’s story the other night on TG4 genuinely left me feeling so emotional about everything I’ve personally got to experience through football, the good and the bad.
“Playing for your county for 15 years is an absolute honour that you take for granted at the time. The resilience / coping mechanisms it equips you with for later in life is just indescribable.
“Also feeling part of something much bigger than yourself gives you a real sense of belonging, that so many do not get to experience.
“Thank you for evoking all these past memories and awakening that sense of gratitude for having been so lucky to have been apart of LGFA.”
