Cork dominate Ladies' All Stars

All-Ireland winners Cork again dominated the 2008 O'Neills/TG4 Ladies' Gaelic Football All Star Awards with seven All Stars at a gala banquet at the CityWest Hotel tonight.

All-Ireland champions Cork and Ulster champions Monaghan dominated the nominations for this year's All Stars with 20 nominations between the two senior finalists, but it was the four-in-a-row champions who collected the most All Stars on the night.

Cork, who have dominated the senior grade over the past four years, deservedly picked up the majority of the honours on the night with new Cork captain Angela Walsh collecting her fourth award to match her four All-Ireland medals.

Monaghan were rewarded for their outstanding displays this year with four All Stars.

Intermediate champions Tipperary picked up one All Star in the form of Edel Hanley, while Michaela Downey landed her first award for Down.

Senior counties Mayo and Tyrone also picked up a single All Star on the night.

Uactaran na hEireann, Mary McAleese, was the guest of honour at the prestigious event. Entertainment was provided on the night by Brian Kennedy and the High Kings, while Marty Morrissey and Daithi Ó Sé led proceedings.

The Young Players of the Year Awards went to Dora Gorman (Salthill/Knocknacarra, Galway - CONNACHT), Alice Malone (Kileen, Laois - LEINSTER), Aine O'Leary (Cil Min, Cork - MUNSTER) and Jane Ward (Beragh Red Knights, Tyrone - ULSTER)

Helen O'Rourke, Chief Executive of the Ladies' Gaelic Football Association, said: 'The All Stars would not be possible but for the contribution of our sponsors TG4 and O'Neills. I would like to take this opportunity to thank most sincerely the Managing Director of O'Neill's, Tony Towell, and an Ceannasai TG4, Pól O'Gallchóir, for their commitment to the sponsorship of our sport and their continued support of the Association.'

Pol O'Gallchor, Ceannasai TG4, said: 'I would like to pay tribute to those in Cumann Peil Gael na mBan - in particular Uachtarán, Geraldine Giles and Chief Executive, Helen O'Rourke and all the staff for their vision, dedication, good humour and friendship. Our partnership as sponsors and broadcast rights holders has matured well as we continue to work in tandem to achieve common goals.'

2008 ALL STARS TEAM:

Goalkeeper: Elaine Harte (Cork)
Left Corner-Back: Linda Barrett (Cork)
Full-Back: Angela Walsh (Cork)
Right Corner-Back: Sharon Courtney (Monaghan)
Left Half-Back: Briege Corkery (Cork)
Centre Half-Back: Brid Stack (Cork)
Right Half-Back: Neamh Woods (Tyrone)
Midfield: Juliet Murphy (Cork)
Midfield: Amanda Casey (Monaghan)
Left Half-Forward: Nollaig Cleary (Cork)
Centre Half-Forward: Niamh Kindlon (Monaghan)
Right Half-Forward: Michaela Downey (Down)
Left Corner-Forward: Edel Byrne (Monaghan)
Full-Forward: Cora Staunton (Mayo)
Right Corner-Forward: Edel Hanley (Tipperary)