The nominations for the 2021 TG4 Players’ Player of the year are upon us with 9 players selected across the three divisions.
The outright victor is to be chosen at the All Star Awards on November 13th at Dublin’s Bonnington Hotel.
All three Senior proposals have also been nominated for that very contest, a testimony to Meath’s, Emma Duggan’s, Emma Troy’s and Vikki Wall’s greatness in this year’s championship.
Two of those in the Intermediate category were also triumphant at the TG4 finals, this time with Westmeath; Sarah Dillon and Lucy McCartan. Niamh O’Dea of Clare takes the last spot as even though her county crashed out at the quarter-final stage her individual brilliance in the campaign saw her collect 3-13.
Golden boot winner Clíodhna Ní Shé can be seen in the Junior shortlist alongside Antrim’s Gráinne McLaughlin who hauled 0-38 and Wicklow’s vice-captain Marie Kealy.
Elected by their fellow players, here’s an insight into why the elite grade may have been bestowed the honour.
Emma Duggan (Meath)
19 year old Emma Duggan massed more than her Leaving Cert results this summer, accumulating a whopping 3-19 along the path to The Royal County’s success.
Instrumental in their 1-11 to 0-12 overcoming of Dublin the Dunboyne woman sank 1-2 in that All Ireland final and acted as the crucial blow to their defence.
This wasn’t an isolated incident however as she also had a phenomenal showcase in the semi-final against Cork and beyond.
Prone to sending the green flag waving at the most vital of occasions she also picked up the Croke Park/LGFA Player of the Month Award for September.
Pure drama as a goal from Meath's Emma Duggan sends her side to extra-time against Cork 👀pic.twitter.com/DM3fXQv8t9
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) August 15, 2021
Vikki Wall (Meath)
Clubmate Vikki Wall is also up for the vote with a good track record in her favour too. Player of the Match on that hallowed day she is a fundamental cog in the Meath machine and even snatched the Intermediate version of this award last year.
Despite only tallying 1-6 in the competition her strong and determined runs from midfield open things up for her team, providing outlets and decoys as she advances forward.
Her teenage colleague not the only one to assemble accolades, Wall too collected a prize for her gifted talents recently, the PwC GPA Player of the month for September.
Vikki Wall player of the match 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/j3wWZsf933
— MeathLadiesFootball (@meathladiesMLGF) September 5, 2021
Emma Troy (Meath)
Emma Troy completes the trio. As a stakeholder of the bolstered defensive line.
The right corner back alongside teammates Mary Kate Lynch, Katie Newe, Aoibheann Leahy, Aoibhín Cleary and captain Shauna Ennis ensured a tight ship was run to impede any threats on keeper Monica McGuirk and has been recognised for her extraordinary work ethic.
Kicking two first half points in the All Ireland final she also displayed that her shooting boots are in flying form on the other side of the pitch too.
🔥Two for Troy!
👏🏻@meathladiesMLGF defender Emma Troy has been nominated for the 2021 TG4 Senior Players’ Player of the Year Award.
📺See Emma kick two first-half points in the All Ireland Final via @JeromeQuinn 👇🏻@BoardsmillGAA #ProperFan
pic.twitter.com/0QbHIWJ2Rc— LLG Football (@LeinsterLGFA) October 12, 2021
