Gemma Begley | Angela Casey | Annette Clarke | Nollaig Cleary
Edel Concannon | Katrina Connolly | Briege Corkery | Bernie Finlay
Lorna Joyce | Kate Leah | Fiona McHale | Sarah McLoughlin | Angie McNally
Valerie Mulcahy | Andrea Murphy | Juliet Murphy | Mary Nevin
Bronagh O'Donnell | Geraldine O'Shea | Grainne Smith | Cora Staunton
Aisling Tierney | Patrice Dennehy 
Gemma Begley is one of the top players on the Ladies football scene and since 2004 she has led from the front for Tyrone with some outstanding performances. They reached the Ulster final in July only to lose to Armagh, but after re-grouping they hit the Championship trail with renewed vigour. With victories over Sligo and Donegal in the group stage, it set them up for a re-match against their arch rivals Armagh. A completely different Tyrone team turned up in Mullingar and Gemma was the star of the show. Even though she was marked by Armagh All-Star Caoimhe Marley, the Carrickmore forward scored 3-06 as her side went on to win by an amazing 9 point margin. They met Mayo in the semi-final and, despite scoring another 1-04, lost out on the dream of an All-Ireland date with Cork. The 22-year-old Red Hand heroine has had a great season, scoring a total of 7-17 in five Championship matches. She is already looking forward to 2008, “It’s been a great year and we want to stay playing at this level now.” With Gemma’s golden boots anything is possible.
What has been your greatest moment in sport?
That’s a hard one. Winning my first Ulster Club title with Carrickmore was great but beating Armagh in the quarter-final of this year’s Championship was extra special and a real buzz. We played well and I scored a hat-trick of goals to boot!
Which is the toughest team you have ever faced?
Armagh beat us in the Ulster final this year and they were very tough. Mayo are another team who are hard to beat.
Who was the toughest opponent you ever played against?
Armagh’s Caoimhe Marley is always hard to get scores off.
Which player do you admire the most?
Cork’s Briege Corkery is a fantastic player. Linda Donnelly for Tyrone is another.
Who was your childhood sporting hero?
Without a doubt, Peter Canavan. He was a star and we all went up to Croker in 1995 to see him play in the All-Ireland final against the Dubs. I also thought that Carrickmore’s Ronan McGarrity was great.
What club do you play for and who are your biggest rivals?
I play for Carrickmore and our biggest rivals are definitely Errigal Ciaran. We lost out to them in this year’s Championship.
What are your hopes for the future?
It’s been a fantastic year for us and I hope we can build on it for the future. It would be great to win an Ulster title and get to reach an All-Ireland final in the next few years.
What advice would you give to young players?
Work hard and be willing to learn
Name: Gemma Begley
Age: 22
Team: Tyrone
Debut: 2003
Position: Full-Forward
Honours:
1 Ulster Minor title,
1 Ulster Club title,
7 County Club titles,
1 Ulster Colleges title.
Club: Carrickmore
Fav Food: Potato Bread
Fav Book: Harry Potter
Fav Band: Matchbox 20
Fav Film: The Green Mile
Fav TV: Neighbours
Hobbies: Soccer and Rugby
Occupation: Student
CulFACT:
Gemma has been at the top of her game for the last few years and in 2006 she was voted the Tyrone Ladies Club Player of the Year. Some achievement! © September 2007 |
