Clare and Limerick players honoured on 2023 Teams of the TG4 Junior and Intermediate Championships

4 Clare players were selected on the TG4 Intermediate Championship Team of the Year while 5 Limerick players were selected on the TG4 Junior Championship Team of the Year.

CHAMPIONS Down and Kildare lead the way in the 2023 TG4 Teams of the Junior and Intermediate Championships selections.

These selections honour outstanding individual displays throughout the 2023 TG4 All-Ireland Championships in the Junior and Intermediate grades – with the winners set to receive their awards at a Croke Park function on Friday November 3.

Kildare were crowned TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Champions on August 13, following victory in the Final over Clare, while the Junior silverware went to Down, who saw off the challenge of Limerick.

The Teams of the Championship have now been selected by members of the LGFA’s All Star committee – with Kildare claiming six slots on the Intermediate team, while Down have seven players on the Junior 15.

The six Kildare winners are goalkeeper Mary Hulgraine, defenders Lauren Burke and Laoise Lenehan, midfielder and captain, Grace Clifford, and forwards Neasa Dooley and Róisín Byrne, who was Player of the Match in the All-Ireland Final.

Runners-up Clare have four players included in the Team of the Championship, namely full-back Síofra Ní Chonaill, captain Caoimhe Harvey, who’s at centre back, midfielder Chloe Moloney and forward star Fidelma Marrinan, who claimed the ZuCar Golden Boot award as the leading scorer in the 2023 TG4 All-Ireland Championships.

Antrim, who reached the All-Ireland Intermediate semi-finals at the first attempt, have three players named on the team.
Left-half-back Sarah O’Neill and forwards Lara Dahunsi and Orlaith Prenter have been rewarded for their efforts with the Saffrons during a memorable campaign.

There are also two Wexford players named on the Intermediate team, with captain Róisín Murphy in defence and attacker Chloe Fox acknowledged for consistent displays as the Model County reached the last four.

On the TG4 Junior Team of the Championship, winners Down are represented by goalkeeper Amy McGivern, Orla Boyle in the full-back line, captain Meghan Doherty at centre back, Final player of the match Orla Duffy at left half back, Aoife Laverty at midfield, and Laoise Duffy (sister of Orla) and Natasha Ferris in attack.

Limerick’s exploits in reaching the Final are rewarded by the inclusions of defenders and sisters Yvonne and Grace Lee in defence, captain Róisín Ambrose at midfield, and forwards Deborah Murphy and Karen O’Leary.

Fermanagh, beaten by Limerick in the semi-final, have full-back Molly McGloin and forward Bláithín Bogue named on the Junior Team of the Championship, while there is also a slot for Carlow forward Sara Doyle.

Ladies Gaelic Football Association President, Mícheál Naughton, commented: “The 2023 TG4 All-Ireland Junior and Intermediate Championships produced brilliant football once again.

“We are delighted now to once again acknowledge the outstanding contributions of the competition’s leading players in the Junior and Intermediate Teams of the Championship.

“The Championships were packed with superb action, plenty of drama and numerous talking points.
“Our Junior Final saw Down regain Intermediate status with victory over Limerick, as Kildare edged out Clare in a thrilling Intermediate Final, to move up to the Senior Championship ranks in 2024.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all players across both grades for their efforts at inter-county level this year.
“We are blessed to have such terrific role models playing at an extremely high standard and we look forward to more thrilling fare next year.

“A special word of thanks, also, to TG4 for their continued and outstanding commitment to our sport.

“TG4 will be alongside us throughout our 50th anniversary celebrations and I wish to put on the record my sincere thanks to TG4 Director General, Alan Esslemont, Head of Sport, Rónán Ó Coisdealbha, and the entire TG4 team for another outstanding summer of Championship coverage.”

Alan Esslemont, Ard-Stiúrthóir TG4, added: “Comhghairdeas ó chroí leis na himreoirí ar fad ón gCraobh Sóisearach agus Idirmheánach a ainmníodh inniu ag ócáid ‘Peil na mBan – Foirne na Bliana’.

“This year’s TG4 All-Ireland Championship was surely one of the best ever, as was evident to everyone who witnessed the Finals at Junior and Intermediate level. Down’s victory over Limerick in the Junior Final was full of skill and passion and truly hard-fought all the way to the end.

“In the Intermediate Final, Kildare seemed to be cruising to a much easier victory than was generally expected and then Clare staged a superb fightback, almost taking the game to a replay. “But it was not destined to be and Kildare secured their first Intermediate title in seven years.

TG4 congratulates all those players from the Junior and Intermediate grades who have been chosen for the two Teams of the Year. Tréaslaíonn TG4 libh go léir.”

It has also been confirmed that the 2023 TG4 All Star banquet will be held at Dublin’s Bonnington Hotel on Saturday, November 18.

The list of 45 nominees will be revealed later this month.

TG4 Junior Team of the Championship

1. Amy McGivern – Down
2. Yvonne Lee – Limerick
3. Molly McGloin – Fermanagh
4. Orla Boyle – Down
5. Grace Lee – Limerick
6. Meghan Doherty – Down
7. Orla Duffy – Down
8. Róisín Ambrose – Limerick
9. Aoife Laverty – Down
10. Deborah Murphy – Limerick
11. Sara Doyle – Carlow
12. Laoise Duffy – Down
13. Bláithín Bogue – Fermanagh
14. Natasha Ferris – Down
15. Karen O’Leary – Limerick

County by county breakdown: Down 7, Limerick 5, Fermanagh 2, Carlow 1.

TG4 Intermediate Team of the Championship

1. Mary Hulgraine – Kildare
2. Lauren Burke – Kildare
3. Síofra Ní Chonaill – Clare
4. Laoise Lenehan – Kildare
5. Róisín Murphy – Wexford
6. Caoimhe Harvey – Clare
7. Sarah O’Neill – Antrim
8. Grace Clifford – Kildare
9. Chloe Moloney – Clare
10. Neasa Dooley – Kildare
11. Fidelma Marrinan – Clare
12. Lara Dahunsi – Antrim
13. Chloe Foxe – Wexford
14. Róisín Byrne – Kildare
15. Orlaith Prenter – Antrim