Down and Kildare lead the way on 2023 Teams of the TG4 Junior and Intermediate Championships

September 11, 2023

Down players celebrate with the All-Ireland JFC trophy after the final ©INPHO/Leah Scholes

Champions Down and Kildare lead the way in the 2023 TG4 Teams of the Junior and Intermediate Championships selections.  

These selections honour outstanding individual displays throughout the 2023 TG4 All-Ireland Championships in the Junior and Intermediate grades – with the winners set to receive their awards at a Croke Park function on Friday November 3.  

Kildare were crowned TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Champions on August 13, following victory in the Final over Clare, while the Junior silverware went to Down, who saw off the challenge of Limerick.  

The Teams of the Championship have now been selected by members of the LGFA’s All Star committee – with Kildare claiming six slots on the Intermediate team, while Down have seven players on the Junior 15.  

The six Kildare winners are goalkeeper Mary Hulgraine, defenders Lauren Burke and Laoise Lenehan, midfielder and captain, Grace Clifford, and forwards Neasa Dooley and Róisín Byrne, who was Player of the Match in the All-Ireland Final.  

Runners-up Clare have four players included in the Team of the Championship, namely full-back Síofra Ní Chonaill, captain Caoimhe Harvey, who’s at centre back, midfielder Chloe Moloney and forward star Fidelma Marrinan, who claimed the ZuCar Golden Boot award as the leading scorer in the 2023 TG4 All-Ireland Championships.  

Antrim, who reached the All-Ireland Intermediate semi-finals at the first attempt, have three players named on the team.  

Left-half-back Sarah O’Neill and forwards Lara Dahunsi and Orlaith Prenter have been rewarded for their efforts with the Saffrons during a memorable campaign.  

There are also two Wexford players named on the Intermediate team, with captain Róisín Murphy in defence and attacker Chloe Fox acknowledged for consistent displays as the Model County reached the last four.  

On the TG4 Junior Team of the Championship, winners Down are represented by goalkeeper Amy McGivern, Orla Boyle in the full-back line, captain Meghan Doherty at centre back, Final player of the match Orla Duffy at left half back, Aoife Laverty at midfield, and Laoise Duffy (sister of Orla) and Natasha Ferris in attack.  

Limerick’s exploits in reaching the Final are rewarded by the inclusions of defenders and sisters Yvonne and Grace Lee in defence, captain Róisín Ambrose at midfield, and forwards Deborah Murphy and Karen O’Leary. 

Fermanagh, beaten by Limerick in the semi-final, have full-back Molly McGloin and forward Bláithín Bogue named on the Junior Team of the Championship, while there is also a slot for Carlow forward Sara Doyle.  

It has also been confirmed that the 2023 TG4 All Star banquet will be held at Dublin’s Bonnington Hotel on Saturday, November 18. 

The list of 45 nominees will be revealed later this month.  

TG4 Intermediate Team of the Championship 

Mary Hulgraine – Kildare  

Lauren Burke – Kildare  

Síofra Ní Chonaill – Clare   

Laoise Lenehan – Kildare  

Róisín Murphy – Wexford  

Caoimhe Harvey – Clare  

Sarah O’Neill – Antrim  

Grace Clifford – Kildare  

Chloe Moloney – Clare  

Neasa Dooley – Kildare  

Fidelma Marrinan – Clare  

Lara Dahunsi – Antrim  

Chloe Foxe – Wexford  

Róisín Byrne – Kildare  

Orlaith Prenter – Antrim   

County by county breakdown: Kildare 6, Clare 4, Antrim 3, Wexford 2.   

TG4 Junior Team of the Championship 

Amy McGivern – Down    

Yvonne Lee – Limerick  

Molly McGloin – Fermanagh  

Orla Boyle – Down  

Grace Lee – Limerick  

Meghan Doherty – Down  

Orla Duffy – Down  

Róisín Ambrose – Limerick  

Aoife Laverty – Down  

Deborah Murphy – Limerick  

Sara Doyle – Carlow  

Laoise Duffy – Down  

Bláithín Bogue – Fermanagh  

Natasha Ferris – Down  

Karen O’Leary – Limerick  

County by county breakdown: Down 7, Limerick 5, Fermanagh 2, Carlow 1.  


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