THE Queen’s University Future Stars camogie team features three players from the St Patrick’s, Maghera side who won the Corn Eimhear in January and went on to contest the All-Ireland ‘B’ final, which they lost to Loreto, Kilkenny.
Captain Cait Conway, who picked up player of the match after scoring 0-10 points in the Corn Eimhear final is at midfield, and is joined in the side by schoolmates Katie McCloskey and Caoimhe Chambers in the forwards.
All three also featured for Maghera in their run to the senior All-Ireland decider that included an Ulster decider win over first time finalists St Killian’s, Garron Tower who also have three players in the final 15 – Laura and Rhianna Black and Kady McNeill.
Another Antrim school, St Louis’ Ballymena has two players selected. Kate McGilligan and Enya Neeson slot into the half-back line alongside Fiadhna Loughran from St Patrick’s, Keady.
And there are also two awards each for Magherafelt and Our Lady’s Newry, with Connie Teague joining football winner Shivers from St Mary’s, and Niamh McConville and Cara Savage claiming awards for Newry.
Grace Kelly won an award for St Colm’s Draperstown at wing-forward, while Erin O’Hara from Cross & Passion, Ballycastle was selected in goals.
This is the second year that camogie has been included in Queen’s scheme and Ulster Schools chairperson Catherine McGourty feels that it is a great addition to the’ camogie calendar.
“The trials this year were of a very high standard and it is great to see emerging talent get the recognition they deserve,” she said.
“Some come from schools that are strong in camogie while others are playing at a much lower level in our competitions.
“These awards will hopefully give all players the boost they need to push on into senior schools’ teams and at minor level and ultimately have a long and successful career at senior level.”
QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY FUTURE STARS CAMOGIE TEAM
Erin O’Hara (Cross & Passion, Ballycastle)
Niamh McConville (Our Lady’s, Newry)
Connie Teague (St Mary’s, Magherafelt)
Laura Black (St Killian’s, Garron Tower)
Fiadhna Loughran (St Patrick’s, Keady)
Kate McGilligan (St Louis’, Ballymena)
Enya Neeson (St Louis’, Ballymena)
Jemma Shivers (St Mary’s, Magherafelt)
Cait Conway (St Patrick’s, Maghera)
Katie McCloskey (St Patrick’s, Maghera)
Cara Savage (Our Lady’s, Newry)
Grace Kelly (St Colm’s, Draperstown)
Kady McNeill (St Killian’s, Garron Tower)
Caoimhe Chambers (St Patrick’s, Maghera)
Rhianna Black (St Killian’s, Garron Tower)
