Dervan, Maher and Kilkenny stand apart in readers’ All-Stars poll

THERE was a massive response to The Connacht & City Tribune’s ‘Galway’s Greatest All-Stars XV’ competition, with six players, in particular, standing heads and shoulders above the rest.

Three of those – Sarah Dervan (Mullagh), Therese Maher (Athenry) and Niamh Kilkenny (Pearses) – were selected on every entry, although the votes of Maher and Kilkenny were divided between two lines on the field. With 17 All-Stars between them, it is a testimony to the contributions those players have made, and continue to make, to the Galway jersey.

There were three other players selected in over 90% of the teams, namely Anne Marie Hayes (Killimor), Ailish O’Reilly (Oranmore/Maree) and Niamh McGrath (Sarsfields). Hayes’ total vote was so high that she could have the pick of two positions – half-back line or full-forward line – and this, again, reflects the esteem she is held in by the camogie sorority.

Notably, all six players were part of the side that ended Galway’s 17-year famine for the O’Duffy Cup in 2013 and, in all, 13 of Galway’s Greatest All-Stars XV selection were involved in that victory, with 10 of those starting.

In contrast, of the side that won last year’s All-Ireland title, only six starters are included in the All-Stars XV, namely Dervan, Heather Cooney (St. Thomas’), Lorraine Ryan (Kiltullagh/Killimordaly), Kilkenny, Aoife Donohue (Mullagh) and O’Reilly.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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