Talented sextet on team of the league

WEXFORD’S OUTRIGHT success in Division 3 of the Lidl Ladies’ National Football League was reflected recently in the selection of six key players on the team of the league. Long-serving captain Mary Rose Kelly from St. Fintan’s was chosen between the posts, fronted by full-back Maria Byrne (Kilmore) who has made that position her own after spending a lot of time in midfield and even further up field in previous campaigns.

Sure-footed centre-back Niamh Mernagh (Horeswood) was picked to fill the number six role, while Kerry native Bernie Breen (Baile Dubh Tíre) was chosen in one of the midfield slots.

A player who is no stranger to honours in football or camogie, Fiona Rochford from St. Anne’s, was named at left half-forward, while there was no surprise that the player of the match exploits of Caitríona Murray (Clonee) in the final earned her a place in the left corner.

For the record, the remaining nine places went to players from beaten finalists Meath (four), Kildare (three), Offaly and Roscommon (one each).

The presentations were made at a function in Croke Park recently when the players took a welcome break from preparations for the championship, which started last Sunday with a victory at home to Kildare.

And in a further piece of good news, that superb performance by Caitríona Murray in the league final earned her the W.G.P.A. player of the month accolade.

She is the second Wexford team member to be honoured in the scheme already this year, following in the footsteps of Róisín Murphy, while the now injury-stricken Una Leacy also collected an equivalent camogie honour.