Tipperary goalie Lauren Fitzpatrick's performances for Waterford club really caught the eye
Newcastle woman was in outstanding form as Ballymacarbry retained Munster title
Lauren Fitzpatrick has been rewarded for her outstanding performances in 2023 by being chosen for an Annerville award for ladies football.
Lauren is one of the most experienced players in the Tipperary team, having made her championship debut back in 2014.
The goalkeeper, who hails from Newcastle, was her usual dependable self as Tipperary made a good impression in the National League, narrowly missing out on promotion.
However it was her performances with Ballymacarbry, one of the powerhouses of the game, that really caught the eye during the year.
She was between the sticks when Ballymac won their 42nd consecutive Waterford senior championship, beating Comeragh Rangers in the final.
That phenomenal achievement was followed by a successful defence of their Munster title. In a closely-fought provincial final against The Banner Ladies from Clare, Lauren had one of the games of her career, making three outstanding saves during the course of the second half to preserve her team’s lead.
From there it was onto the All-Ireland semi-final in Armagh when they beat Clann Éireann. The crucial score of the game was a goal from Aileen Wall, with the move that led to the score having started from Lauren’s long kickout.
Ballymacarbry’s great run ended when they were beaten by Kilkerrin-Clonberne from Galway in the All-Ireland final, but throughout the year they did enough to suggest that they will be in the shake-up for honours once again in 2024.
The Tipperary Sports Stars of the Year will receive their Annerville awards, sponsored by Bulmers, from the Tipperary United Sports Panel at the Talbot Hotel Clonmel this Saturday night, January 27. Some tickets are still available from Sports Panel Treasurer Ken Conway, tel. 087-6784510.