Jane Adams | Veronica Curtin | Claire Doherty | Mags D'Arcy
Aisling Diamond | Shónagh Enright | Jessica Gill | Fiona Hahnefeld | Mary Lacey Ciara Lucey | Therese Maher | Mairin McAleenan | Eimear McDonnell
Sinéad Millea | Niamh Mulcahy | Eileen O'Brien | Mary O'Connor
Una O'Donaghue | Una O'Dwyer | Imelda Kennedy | Catherine O'Loughlin
Jen O'Leary | Joanne Ryan | Marie Dargan | Sinéad Cahalan
Tina Hannon | Trish Jackman

Down’s Mairin McAleenan was the only Ulster player to win a coveted All-Star award in 2004. She was rewarded for helping guide Down to the All-Ireland Junior final last year, which they lost to Cork.

However, there was some consolation for Mairin when her club, Liatroim Fontenoys, went on to claim their first All-Ireland Junior Club Championship in November when they beat Four Roads of Roscomman in a scoreline of 4-13 to 0-08. Mairin was top scorer on the day with 8 points. She adds that title to her long list of achievements on the camogie stage and is looking forward to adding more silverware to her collection in 2005.

What was your greatest moment in sport?
Winning an All-Star last year, in the Centenary Year of Camogie, was a huge personal honour for me as it was so unexpected. Also, winning the
All-Ireland Junior Club Championship last year was a great highlight.

Who were the toughest team you have faced?
Tipperary are always a tough team to play. We played them in 1999 and up until then we would have competed well against them, but they were on course for their first All-Ireland title that year and have become a super-team since.

Who is the toughest opponent you have faced?
Tipperary centre-back, Ciara Gaynor.

Who were your childhood heroes?
In Ulster, it would have been Derry's Sarah Ann Quinn. With the club, I would say Sheila McCartan and with Down, Sheila and Maureen O'Higgins.

What advice would you give young players?
Listen to your coaches and mentors and put what they say to good use. Try to pick up on everything they say. Respect them, your team-mates and the opposition and practise your skills.

Do you find it difficult to balance work and camogie?
Actually no, I am a teacher, so I am finished by five every day and always have my weekends off, so it doesn't interfere too much. I also get two months off in the summer which is cool!

© March 2005