2009 Ledcor Western Canada GAA All-Stars:
A Reflection of Club Strength in the Division
By RONAN DEANE
The third annual Western Canada GAA All-Stars were formally announced on January 31.
Each club in the division had input in the naming of the 2009 All-Stars teams, and the selections were a fair reflection of the strength of the clubs within the division.
Vancouver Harps' Ladies dominated the selection receiving eight All-Stars (a record total for any single club).
Only goalkeeper (Ashley Gerrard of Edmonton), one mid-field berth (Sinead Leacy of Calgary), and one of the full-forward line positions (Carol Ann Farrelly of Calgary) went to players from a club other than the Harps.
Elan Park (second), Alaina Bleker (second), and Tara Philips (third) were former All-Stars selected again, and they were joined by Marie Dowling, Rita Burke, Stacey Lewis-Jaklin, Angela Oldknow, and Helen Keohane, all receiving their first All-Stars.
In the Men's, as was expected in a tightly fought championship, the selections were more evenly spread out.
Champions Edmonton received four All-Stars (Dave Higgins, Neil Doherty, Michael Collier, and Declan Reilly).
Runners-up Calgary received three, including another for the ever-present All-Star Tom McAroe. The others were Barry Sinclair and Adrian Lagan (second).
The newly formed Vancouver Celts had two All-Stars, with Gary Howe and Sean Twomey getting the Celts first selections.
Both the Harps and Red Deer Eire Og sides had the remaining two spots with Dave Tonge from Vancouver and another perennial All-Star, Mick O'Toole, rounding out the selection.
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