In a new and historic venture the GAA will tomorrow present the first ever All Star awards in Rounders, which in fact is one of the Association's four official games along with football, hurling and handball.
The 24 honourees will be presented in Croke Park, and are evenly distributed between male and female players.
Nominations came from Dublin, Carlow, Cavan, Derry and Laois, and several of the players who will be honoured tomorrow have over the past five seasons represented Ireland at home or travelled with an Ireland team to Wales, Scotland or France.
Micheal Geoghegan, president of Comhairle Cluiche Corr, welcomed the new development and commended the award winners for their dedication and commitment to the game.
He also hoped the awards would become an integral part of the Rounders calendar and looked forward to the increased profile that the scheme would bring to the game.
Rounders currently has over 2,500 registered members and players, with the main tournaments each year being the minor and senior championships, men and women, and also a mixed event.
INAUGURAL ROUNDERS ALL STARS
Men
Catcher: Richie Costello, An Tinile, Atha Cliath: Pitcher: James Anderson, Erne Eagles, An Cabhan: Short Stop (In Field): Gerard Clerkin, Erne Eagles, An Cabhan: First base: Gary Reilly, Erne Eagles: Second Base: Thomas Murphy, Cuchulains, Ceatharlach: Third Base: Damien McArdle, Erne Eagles:
Fielders: Jim Reilly, Erne Eagles; Eddie Healey, An Tinile; Kevin O'Hagan, N. Mhichil, Doire; Derek Duggan, An Tinile; Cormac O Tuatain, N. Mhichil; Seamus Mulhare, The Heath, Laoise.
Women
Catcher: Ann Marie Gardiner, Bagenalstown, Ceatharlach; Pitcher: Elaine Costello, An Tinile, Atha Cliath; Short Stop: Tara Corrigan, Rath Domhnaigh, Laoise; First base: Jackie Donnelly, An Tinile; Second Base: Lizzy McGuire, An Tinile;
Third Base: Andrea Barber, Erne Eagles;
Fielders: Jenny O'Brien, Bagnelstown, Una Brady, Erne Eagles: Laura Egers, An Tinile: Roisin O'Hagan, N. Mhichil: Grace Doyle, Bagnelstown: Nicola Doherty, Rath Domhnaigh.
