Dublin and Clare stars collect 2023 ZuCar Golden Glove and Golden Boot awards 

DUBLIN goalkeeper Abby Shiels is the winner of the 2023 ZuCar Golden Glove award.   

Abby’s outstanding save to deny Cork’s Daire Kiely in the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final in Thurles on July 29 won the popular vote on the Ladies Gaelic Football Association website at: https://bit.ly/3OYo8li 

Abby was one of four nominees for the prestigious individual honour, along with Mayo’s Laura Brennan, Meath’s TG4 All Star goalkeeper, Monica McGuirk, and Kerry’s Ciara Butler.  

The ZuCar Golden Glove award for Abby crowns a magnificent individual season for the 21-year-old Lucan Sarsfields goalkeeper, who was the last line of defence as Dublin claimed the 2023 TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship title with victory over Kerry at Croke Park on August 13.  

There were over 4,000 votes registered for the 2023 ZuCar Golden Glove award, with Abby’s save accounting for 1879 votes.  

Abby’s nearest challenger, Mayo netminder Laura Brennan, received 1021 votes.  

Abby was presented with her award at Croke Park today by Ladies Gaelic Football Association President, Mícheál Naughton, and Allyson McCarthy, Group Marketing Manager, Joe Duffy Group, representing ZuCar.  

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Following the conclusion of the TG4 All-Ireland Championships, Clare’s Fidelma Marrinan was the leading scorer across the Junior, Intermediate and Senior grades. 

Fidelma’s tally of 5-38 (53 points) was good enough to pip Down sharpshooter Natasha Ferris, who finished with 7-31 (52), by just a single point. 

23-year-old Fidelma, from the West Clare Gaels club, was also present at Croke Park today to collect her award.  

Despite defeat to Kildare in the 2023 TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship Final, Fidelma excelled on the day, notching a personal tally of 1-5.  

Ladies Gaelic Football Association President Mícheál Naughton commented: “I would like to take this opportunity to heartily congratulate Abby and Fidelma as they visit Croke Park today to collect their ZuCar Golden Glove and Golden Boot awards respectively. 

“These awards crown superb seasons for both players, who excelled in the colours of Dublin and Clare throughout the entire season.  

“Abby was a superb last line of defence for Dublin as they claimed the TG4 All-Ireland title, catching the eye with a number of brilliant saves and excellent distribution. Along with this award, Abby has earned a deserved TG4 All Star nomination.  

“While Clare fell just short in their quest for the TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate title, Fidelma was a leading light for the Banner County.  

“A wonderfully-talented footballer, Fidelma was the leading scorer in the TG4 All-Ireland series across all three grades and her top-scoring exploits have also earned her a cherished TG4 All Star nomination.  

“While elite inter-county sport is very much a team game, it is also important to acknowledge individual excellence and I would like to thank ZuCar once again for their support of these beautifully-sculpted awards.  

 “Since coming on board with us in 2021, ZuCar have been integral in the promotion of our sport and as the LGFA’s Performance Partner, they are also acutely aware of the significant work that is ongoing at grassroots level.  

“In that regard, ZuCar are also proud sponsors of our All-Ireland U18 Championships and they are also our Gaelic4Teens programme sponsors.  

 “I wish to acknowledge the dedicated support of ZuCar CEO Gavin Hydes and his team, and we look forward to building on our successful partnership to date.” 

Speaking on behalf of ZuCar, CEO Gavin Hydes said: “Huge congratulations  to Abby and Fidelma for their award wins, and to all Golden Glove nominees and players who featured strongly in the race for the ZuCar Golden Boot award.  

“It was a memorable season for Dublin as they claimed the TG4 All-Ireland Senior title and Abby’s consistent displays ‘between the sticks’ were a key factor in their success.  

“She is a top-class goalkeeper and Dublin are very fortunate to have her in such a pivotal position as the last line of defence. 

“Clare and Fidelma fell just short in their quest to claim the TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate title but I have no doubt that the Banner County will regroup and launch another strong push for honours in 2024. Clare’s season will remembered fondly, nonetheless, for Fidelma’s high-scoring exploits.  

“ZuCar are extremely proud to be the Performance Partner of the LGFA, and sponsors of the All-Ireland Minor Championships and the Gaelic4Teens programme. 

“We’re already looking forward with anticipation to another wonderful season of inter-county football in 2024 and we wish all players well for the remainder of the year as they continue to perform at local level with their clubs.”