GFP HEC
CHAMPIONSHIP
FINALS
32 | WINTER 2019 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie
SCHOOL
FOCUS
COLÁISTE
ÍOSAGÁIN
By DECLAN ROONEY
A
fter suffering a second TG4 All-Ireland
Intermediate Final defeat in two seasons,
Meath goalkeeper Monica McGuirk didn't
think she was in with a chance of winning
her first All Star award. So when her name was called
out at the Citywest Hotel awards banquet it took some
time to get over the shock.
Vying for the award with Senior finalists Lisa Murphy
from Galway and Dublin's Ciara Trant, who was chasing
a third straight All Star, McGuirk was thrilled to be
nominated with such lofty competition, and since the
award was bestowed upon her, she has been walking a
little taller.
"I absolutely did not have any idea that I was going
to win. I knew that the odds were against me, being an
Intermediate player as well, and being nominated with
two Senior players," said McGuirk.
"Ciara and Lisa are two excellent goalkeepers, and
they both got into the final of the Senior All-Ireland as
well. Then for Dublin to win the final and we didn't win
our final, I really didn't expect it.
"And then when I heard my name being called out...I
think I got the land of my life. Just to be nominated
and to be there on the night was a huge achievement
but to go on and win the All Star was amazing.
"Having all my family and friends there as well, for
them to be there when it happened was absolutely
amazing for all of us. I was very lucky and fortunate
that my family and a lot of the people from my club
had come along.
