Six Offaly camogie heroes selected as Soaring Stars

It was a glorious night in Dublin on Saturday last, with six Offaly camogie players selected in the Camogie Soaring Stars selection for 2009. The Offaly sextet were presented with their Soaring Star awards at the All Star Awards in the Citywest Hotel in Dublin on Saturday night. The six were Audrey Kennedy, Fiona Stephens, Karen Brady, Michaela Morkan, Arlene Watkins and Elaine Dermondy. The Soaring Star Awards in their first year honour the best players nationwide in the Junior All-Ireland Camogie campaign. Overall, All-Ireland champions Cork dominated the Camogie All-Stars with six members of the team named in the Camogie All Star team. It was a special evening for Gemma O'Connor - currently on army duty in Chad - who was rewarded with an unprecedented sixth consecutive All Star. O'Connor's versatility is highlighted by the fact she has won awards in three different areas of the pitch. Championship runners-up, Kilkenny, received five awards. Beaten semi-finalists Galway received three awards. Therese Maher picks up her third while Regina Glynn and Anne Marie Hayes are winners for the second time. Derry received a single award, in the shape of Grainne McGoldrick. Speaking at the awards ceremony Joan O'Flynn, President of the Camogie Association said, "The All Stars awards recognise the individual excellence and leadership of the leading camogie players this season. The Awards are a treasured keepsake as they signify the achievement of playing camogie to the highest standards. "This recognition is now also extended to players from the Junior All Ireland series through the inaugural Soaring Star Awards. In a season when 13 different counties won National League and All Ireland Championship titles, the 2009 All Star and Soaring Star Award winners claim their rightful place as wonderful exponents of all that's best in Camogie".