The 2023 PWC Camogie All Stars took place on Saturday night, celebrating the outstanding achievements of players and managers from all three divisions of the intercounty game.
The event, hosted by RTÉ’s Marie Crowe, saw All Ireland champions Cork dominate the proceedings.
They collected a total of eight PwC All Star awards, ranging from their captain Amy O’Connor to her fellow forwards Katrina Mackey and Hannah Looney, to midfielder Saoirse McCarthy, defenders Libby Coppinger, Meabh Cahalane and Laura Treacy and goalkeeper Amy Lee.
Will @Looneytunes_kid and the rest of the @CorkCamogie team bring their All Star’s down the River Lee 😅 ⁉️
We caught up with her, @OConnorAmy10 and outgoing Manager Of The Year Matthew Twomey at the @PwCIreland @OfficialCamogie All Star Awards to find out🏑!#camogie #allstars pic.twitter.com/Wbm8H7RD7D— Her Sport (@HerSportDotIE) November 6, 2023
The Rebel’s boss, Matthew Twomey, also scooped up the accolade of 2023 PwC Camogie Manager of the Year, a fitting tribute to his last act in the position.
Opposing finalists Waterford then were presented with three PwC Camogie All-Stars. Cornerback Vikki Falconer picked one up, as did midfielder Lorraine Bray, but it was sharpshooter Beth Carton who made the headlines.
The Deise’s tallys-woman topped off her her All Star trophy with the Player of The Year award later in the evening, bringing a close to a sensational season for the Crystal County.
What 👏 a 👏 night!
Congratulations to all the nominees and winners. Tonight’s event paid tribute to the outstanding achievements of the country’s top Camogie players following an exhilarating 2023 season 🏆
Read the full list of winners here: https://t.co/QhhZ8KtAwm pic.twitter.com/tgbSkjuHN9— PwC Ireland (@PwCIreland) November 4, 2023
Semi finalists Tipperary claimed two spots in the All Star team with half back Karen Kennedy and corner forward Cáit Devane reigning supreme, while Galway’s Róisín Black and Kilkenny’s Denise Gaule also made the cut, at half back and half forward respectively.
One of Derry’s co-captains, Aine McAllister, picked up the PwC GPA Camogie Intermediate Player of the Year, while Clare’s Ellen Casey was bestowed the same award in the Junior category.
Casey also featured in the 2023 PwC Camogie Soaring Stars Award, alongside fellow Banner county woman Caoimhe Cahill, as did McAllister in tandem with her Derry teammates Niamh Gribbin, Niamh Quinn, Lauren McKenna, Aoife Ní Chaiside, Dervla O’Kane, Mairead McNicholl and sharpshooter Aoife Shaw.
Tipperary’s Jean Kelly and Meath’s Amy Gaffney, Aoife Minogue, Sophia Payne and Claire Coffey complete the team and commemorate a fantastic year at intermediate and senior level for camogie.
Presenting your PwC GPA Camogie Senior Player of the Year, Intermediate Player of the Year and Premier Junior Player of the Year 🏆#PwCCamogieAllStars | @OfficialCamogie | @gaelicplayers pic.twitter.com/HWtjG6YxtV
— PwC Ireland (@PwCIreland) November 4, 2023
Speaking at the 2023 PWC Camogie All Stars, Camogie Association Uachtarán Hilda Breslin mentioned that it was a “record-breaking year for camogie”, with a groundbreaking 30,000 people in attendance on All Ireland final day in Croke Park.
“This milestone further amplifies the recognition of our talented players deserve,” she says.
“2023 has been an extraordinary year, and we are delighted to pay tribute to the outstanding achievements and exceptional talent of our players.
“Huge congratulations to all our nominees and winners who have demonstrated unparalleled commitment and immense contribution to our wonderful sport.
“I extend my heartfelt appreciation to our esteemed sponsors, PwC, for their steadfast commitment to the awards and for hosting a truly spectacular celebration in honour of our remarkable players.”
PwC Managing Partner, Enda McDonagh, echoed that sentiment of congratulations for all of those involved, adding that “they are all deserving winners after incredible performances at the highest level throughout the season.”
“Commitment to their teams and to standards of high performance means they are truly an inspiration to younger generations hoping to follow in their footsteps,” he adds.
Take a look at our photo gallery from Saturday evening's @PwCIreland All Star Awards. 👇🏻https://t.co/tB5eMrOXH6#PwCCamogieAllStars pic.twitter.com/Vyln2UIKMO
— The Camogie Association (@OfficialCamogie) November 6, 2023
GPA CEO, Tom Parsons, granted a similar salute, showcasing his best wishes to the teams and management groups.
“These awards are the pinnacle in individual excellence in the game and each of the winners should be extremely proud of their well earned recognition. While the league and championship are all about the collective, tonight is about what you did individually to make a positive impact for the team overall. You have stood out amongst your peers and for that I want to say a massive congratulations,” he says.
“I want to pay a special tribute to Beth, Aine and Ellen, our three Player of the Year Award winners. Your fellow players have voted for you as being the best of the best in 2023. Your names will now be recorded forever alongside some of the greats of camogie and long after you are finished playing, you will always be remembered for your performances this year. You’ve earned a place in history.
“My thanks to the Camogie Association for organising this event in recognition of the top players in the inter-county game. A special word of thanks too to PwC. They have long been a friend to inter-county players and have led the way when it comes to supporting female inter-county athletes. Long may that continue.”
Eight All-Stars for Cork as Waterford’s Beth Carton is named PwC GPA Player of the Year. 🌟
The All-Ireland champions emerged with eight PwC Camogie All-Stars at Croke Park on Saturday night to go with the Matthew Twomey’s Manager of the Year honour. 🏆https://t.co/Xcg1lFYX9J— The Camogie Association (@OfficialCamogie) November 6, 2023
Recap of the 2023 PWC Camogie All Stars
2023 PwC Soaring Star Winners:
Niamh Gribbin (Derry)
Niamh Quinn (Derry)
Claire Coffey (Meath)
Sophia Payne (Meath)
Lauren McKenna (Derry)
Aoife Ní Chaiside (Derry)
Ellen Casey (Clare)
Dervla O’Kane (Derry)
Aoife Minogue (Meath)
Mairead McNicholl (Derry)
Aine McAllister (Derry)
Amy Gaffney (Meath)
Aoife Shaw (Derry)
Caoimhe Cahill (Clare)
Jean Kelly (Tipperary)
2023 PwC All-Star Winners:
Amy Lee (Cork)
Vikki Falconer (Waterford)
Libby Coppinger (Cork)
Róisín Black (Galway)
Karen Kennedy (Tipperary)
Laura Treacy (Cork)
Meabh Cahalane (Cork)
Saoirse McCarthy (Cork)
Lorraine Bray (Waterford)
Hannah Looney (Cork)
Beth Carton (Waterford)
Denise Gaule (Kilkenny)
Amy O’Connor (Cork)
Katrina Mackey (Cork)
Cáit Devane (Tipperary)
2023 PwC GPA Camogie Players of the Year Winners:
Beth Carton (Waterford) Senior
Aine McAllister (Derry) Intermediate
Ellen Casey (Clare) Premier Junior
2023 PwC Camogie Manager of the Year
Matthew Twomey (Cork)
