THE 11th Gaelic Life All-Stars took place last Friday night as the very best of Ulster’s Gaels attended the Armagh City Hotel for our annual awards.

Last year’s awards were held digitally as a result of Covid-19, but we’ve got back to some sort of normality in the last few months and there was a jubilant atmosphere in the heart of the ecclesiastical city.

It’s been a particularly special season for All-Ireland winners Kilcoo, Steelstown, Eoghan Rua and Naomh Treasa, and they were all out in force on Friday night, while there were some familiar faces from the likes of perennial heavy hitters Sleacht Néill and Donaghmoyne (yes, Donaghmoyne have won more Ulster titles than we care to count, but they always bring a real energy to proceedings).

The night was MC’d by well-known RTÉ commentator Darragh Maloney, who got the crowd going in his own inimitable fashion. Padraic McKeever of McKeever Sports, our associate sponsors, generously gave away six sets of jerseys on the night, while a fine three-course meal was provided by our hosts at the Armagh City Hotel. Then came the main event – the awards. Top hurlers, camogs and footballers the length and breadth of Ulster were named on our respective teams of the year, and the night concluded with the individual awards.

Aoife Ní Chaiside, who has been an ever-present on our Camogie Team of the Year since the Gaelic Life awards began, finally won the Player of the Year of the award. She was overawed by the decision, declaring herself ‘gobsmacked’, but she was truly a deserving recipient.

The Hurler of the Year went to her Sleacht Néill teammate Brendan Rogers – another incredibly consistent player – while the Club of the Year award went to Derry city club Steelstown.

Donaghmoyne forward Cathriona McConnell picked up her second Ladies Footballer of the Year award, while the Football Manager of the Year was won by, yes, Kilcoo’s Mickey Moran. He couldn’t be in attendance but we’re assured Conleith Gilligan, who represented Moran on the night, will pass the award onto him.

Micheal McShane of Sleacht Néill won the hurling equivalent while Kevin Kealy of St Eunan’s was the Dual Player of the Year.

The Hall of Fame award, which is named after the late, great John Morrison, was won by Armagh and Clan na Gael legend Jimmy Smyth. A true icon of Ulster GAA, Smyth had a great career with club and county and was part of the trail-blazing Clan na Gael team that claimed three provincial titles on the bounce between 1972 and 1974. Now in his seventies, he’s still going strong and was delighted to pick up his award on Friday evening.

The grand finale of the evening saw Kilcoo star Micéal Rooney win the Footballer of the Year award. He had a simply stunning season – we all remember his borderline miraculous defensive interception in their All-Ireland final victory over Kilmacud Crokes – and he was certainly a popular winner among the 40-strong Kilcoo contingent, who rose to their feet when his name was announced as winner.

All that was remaining was for the Engagements to sing the night away. A memorable evening and what a thrill it was to be back celebrating the very best that Ulster GAA has to offer.

LATEST INDUCTEE…Armagh and Clan na Gael legend Jimmy Symth has been entered into our Hall of Fame. MC 3

WATCH: Player of the Year Micéal Rooney. Click here…