Bus Eireann WNL Awards announced

The Bus Eireann Women’s National League awards nominees and team of the year were announced earlier today, with Raheny United and Peamount United leading the way in the nominations stakes.

League leaders Raheny are well-represented in the player of the year and young player of the year award nominations - with midfielders Mary Waldron and Caroline Thorpe both among the contenders for the former. Katie McCabe is nominated for young player of the year.

With 25 league goals so far, it’s no surprise that Sara Lawlor has been nominated for player of the year, and her Peamount teammate Julie-Ann Russell is also in contention for the top award.

Rianna Jarrett of Wexford Youths, who has scored 15 times for third-placed Wexford Youths, and DLR Waves captain Sylvia Gee round out the nominations - with both players coming off consistently strong performances all season.

Jarrett could win both young player of the year and player of the year, with the aforementioned Katie McCabe and Ciara O’Connell of Cork also in the running for the latter.

The team of the year features three Raheny United players, three Peamount United players, three Wexford Youths players and one player each from DLR Waves and league cup finalists Castlebar Celtic.

“This has been another excellent season culminating in an exciting title race which will go down to the last games this Sunday,” said Fran Gavin, Director of the Bus Éireann Women’s National League.

“The standard and quality of player in the league improved and the awards are an opportunity for us to pay tribute to those players who have excelled during the course of the season,” Gavin continued. “We have also introduced a Merit Award this year to honour those who have made a valuable contribution to the development of women’s football in Ireland.”

Player of the Season (Nominees):

Sara Lawlor                   Peamount United

Sylvia Gee                     DLR Waves

Rianna Jarrett                Wexford Youths Women’s

Julie-Ann Russell                      Peamount United

Caroline Thorpe                        Raheny United

Mary Waldron                           Raheny United

Young Player of the Season(Nominees):

Katie McCabe                Raheny United

Rianna Jarrett                Wexford Youths Women’s        

Ciara O’Connell                        Cork Women’s FC

Team of the Season:

Mary Rose Kelly            Wexford Youths Women’s

Seana Cooke                  Raheny United

Megan Campbell          Raheny United

Lauren Dwyer                           Wexford Youths Women’s

Karen Duggan                Peamount

Sylvia Gee                       DLR Waves

Sarah Rowe                  Castlebar Celtic

Caroline Thorpe                        Raheny United

Rianna Jarrett                Wexford Youths Women’s

Sara Lawlor                     Peamount United

Julie-Ann Russell                      Peamount United