Our Lady’s Secondary School excellent record in the Ulster Ladies Colleges All Star Awards scheme continued on Thursday October 26th when it was announced that Laura Grimes, Niamh Flanagan, Hazel Hughes and Tara Renaghan of the Senior Girls GAA team, were selected on the Ulster Ladies All Star team for 2023/ 2024. This brings the total number of Ladies All Star Awards in the school to thirty in twelve years – an extremely impressive record by any school’s standards.

Laura, Niamh, Hazel and Tara were among six girls selected by the school to attend an initial trial in Cloghan where over 130 girls from across the province attended and all four girls impressed the selectors present to be invited back to a second trial along with 70 other players that was held in Cookstown on October 25th. The school community was delighted when it was announced that the four girls were selected on this year’s Ulster Ladies Colleges All Star team. These All Star awards come as a timely boost to the Senior and U/16 Ladies GAA teams who are in the middle of their Ulster Ladies school campaigns. Speaking at the school during the week the Principal Mr Kelly who also coaches the Senior Ladies GAA team congratulated the girls on their outstanding achievement ‘”For a school to have one Ulster Colleges All Star in any given year is a fantastic achievement, but to have four representatives in a single year is a wonderful achievement and one of which we are exceptionally proud. These girls along with their peers on the senior team, have consistently served as outstanding ambassadors for Gaelic Games in our school. They are exceptional role models for our younger students, showcasing not only their talent and skill but also a commendable dedication to extra curricular activities in the school. I would like to pay particular tribute to their coaches Mr. Nolan and Ms. Kerr for the fantastic work they are doing with the girls. The commitment and dedication of all our GAA coaches, who generously invest their time to help our students develop and display their talents at the highest possible level in Ulster Colleges football, is truly commendable. All our girls’ teams now compete at the A level in all competitions. The sustained success and the numerous All Star Awards for both boys and girls stand as a testament to the incredible work undertaken by all teachers involved in coaching and promoting Gaelic Games in our school. We take immense pride in the achievements of our students, and these well-deserved accolades only fuel our passion for fostering excellence in both academics and extra curricular activities’.

For the record the thirty All Stars since 2012 are as follows:

· 2023- 2024: Laura Grimes, Niamh Flanagan, Hazel Hughes and Tara Renaghan

· 2022-2023: Laura Grimes, Niamh Flanagan, Hazel Hughes and Hannah Haughey

· 2021- 2022: Amy Callan

· 2019 / 2020: Jayne Drury, Aoife Flanagan, Orlagh Grimley and Jodie Mc Quillan

· 2018 / 2019: Jennifer Duffy & Jayne Drury

· 2017 / 2018: Niamh Kerr, Jennifer Duffy & Jayne Drury

· 2016 / 2017: Aisling Callan & Niamh Kerr

· 2015 / 2016: Muireann Atkinson, Celine Nally, Orlaith Maguire & Eimear Finnegan

· 2014 / 2015: Muireann Atkinson & Niamh Callan

· 2013 / 2014: Aoife Duffy, Niamh Callan & Muireann Atkinson

· 2012 / 2013: Emma Mc Kenna

Photo: Ulster Ladies All Stars Laura Grimes, Niamh Flanagan, Hazel Hughes & Tara Renaghan pictured with coaches Mr. Nolan, Ms. Kerr and Principal Mr, Kelly