Not only did the Orchard County dominate the selections in both Men’s and Ladies Football, they also collected three individual awards after a superb season for those in orange.
Barry McCambridge was named as Men’s Footballer Player of the Year while the female equivalent went to Lauren McConville in front of almost 400 guests at the ICC Belfast.
In addition, the inaugural ‘Rising Star’ accolade was awarded to Armagh’s Oisin Conaty, who is also in the running for the national Young Footballer of the Year.
Even guest speaker Martin O’Neill – the former Northern Ireland captain and Republic of Ireland boss - has an Armagh connection, with his brother Gerry having managed them to the All-Ireland Final in 1977.
Armagh’s Ladies Footballers did almost as well, with eight selected, and were joined by three from Fermanagh, two from Donegal, and one each from Down and Tyrone.
Hurler of the Year was won by Antrim defender Paddy Burke, one of 10 Saffrons on the side, along with two Derry men and one each from Donegal, Down, and Fermanagh.
Camogie Player of the Year is Derry’s Aine Barton, who was joined by six Oak Leaf colleagues on the overall selection, just edging out Antrim, who won six. One each from Armagh and Down completed the 15.
McCambridge earning the top men’s football honour came as no surprise, given that his displays also have him nominated for the national Footballer of the Year Award.
The Clann Eireann clubman impressed enough with his man-marking against top forwards Shane McGuigan, Diarmuid Murtagh, David Clifford, and Shane Walsh (twice), but he also got forward to score goals against Roscommon and against Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final.
McConville was another attacking defender in orange who inspired Armagh to win
Burke’s defensive displays for Antrim have earned him a deserved nomination for a national Allstar, while Derry captain Barton’s performances in the half-forward line helped them retain their senior championship status.
GAA President and Armagh native Jarlath Burns was unable to attend the event as he is in Australia but in a video message he praised the successes of Ulster teams across the various codes.
The Silverbridge man also re-iterated the Association’s determination to ensure Casement Park is re-developed, saying:
“We as an organisation remain committed to building Casement and providing Antrim GAA with a home. It has been a long road, and how quickly we reach the end destination will be determined by the clarity we are urgently seeking from the other stakeholders involved.
“Needless to say, the same focus shown by Ulster teams on the field in 2024 will continue to be shown by Ulster GAA and everyone else involved in the project in the weeks and months ahead to chart a path forward for the stadium.”
The Irish News Editor Chris Sherrard was delighted with how the awards evening went, commenting: “The Irish News Ulster All Stars is a really proud event for us and this year’s ceremony continued that fine tradition.
“It’s been a terrific year for Ulster teams across all the codes so it was great that we were able to recognise their efforts and achievements in this way.
“My thanks to everyone who came along, particularly Martin O’Neill who was his usual inimitable self.
“Particular thanks to the tens of thousands of people who cast their votes, meaning we could say with certainty that the people had spoken and have selected our worthy winners for 2024.”
Ulster GAA All-Stars: Armagh’s McCambridge named Men’s Footballer of the Year
Armagh Dominates
The Crossmaglen half-back was name the top performer at a glittering ceremony at the ICC Belfast, holding off competition from Orchard team-mates Anna Carr and Clodagh McCambridge and Fermanagh’s Eimear Smyth..
McConville is currently in Australia pursuing an AFLW career with Gold Coast Suns but addressed the audience at the awards with a video message.
She is the second Armagh player to win the award after Aimee Mackin collected the prize in 2020, 2021 and 2022
She was part of the Armagh team which won the Lidl National League Division One title for the first time this year after making her 100th appearance in an Orchard jersey in the previous game.
Her father Jim and uncle Oisin have also donned the amber and black of Crossmaglen and orange of Armagh, winning All-Ireland titles at club and county level.
That is certainly the aim for the Armagh ladies in the years to come and no doubt McConville will be a key part of that.
The 29-year-old has been a pivotal part of her team’s success in 2024, both in her defensive duties as a central defender in the spine of her team at number six and also in her attacking capabilities and scoring prowess, which obviously runs in the family.
It’s hard to believe though that just a few years ago, she was playing in the forward line but her move into half-back was key to getting the best out of her.
A supreme defender, she is also involved in many of her team’s attacks, giving the opposition and problem which is tough to solve.
She led many of her sides’ attacks, straight through the heart of the opposition defence, and if she was not laying off that final pass or being an outlet for support, she was popping the ball over the bar or firing to the back of the net.
A player not afraid to take the game by the scruff of the net, showing her leadership qualities, especially when their backs were against the wall
Armagh’s Oisin Conaty Wins Rising Star Award
Armagh Dominates
Newly-introduced for 2024, the Rising Star Award recognises the player who has made the most significant breakthrough in the past 12 months, as chosen by the Irish News Editor Chris Sherrard.
Conaty received the award at Friday night’s award ceremony in the ICC Belfast, capping a memorable for himself and his county.
The former Northern Ireland schoolboy soccer international chose Gaelic football two years ago and lit it up this summer.
His man-of-the-match display in the All-Ireland final came on top of an outstanding afternoon in the Ulster final too, where he penned Ryan McHugh back and tracked him with real diligence.
The Portadown man tore into Roscommon and really hurt them in the quarter-final and then after a dip against Kerry, he took advantage of a switch of wings in the final.
His confidence was up after his first score and he never looked back.
Frighteningly quick and with youth on his side, he’s sure to play a big part in his county’s fortunes for years to come.
