Four Soaring Stars and major award nomination highlight landmark year for Laois camogie

THE remarkable progress made by Laois Camogie over the past two seasons has been recognised on the national stage once again, with four county players named on the 2026 PwC Camogie Soaring Stars team and Clodagh Tynan shortlisted for the Intermediate Player of the Year award.

St Brigid’s defender Tynan has emerged as one of the leading players in the country at Intermediate level and is among the three nominees for the prestigious individual honour. She is joined on the shortlist by Antrim duo Éobha McAllister and Roisin McCormick following a season in which she played a pivotal role in Laois’ outstanding campaign.

The nomination is the latest reward for a player who has become one of the cornerstones of this Laois team. Operating at centre-back, Tynan was a commanding presence throughout the year as Laois continued their rise following last season’s All-Ireland Premier Junior success.

Having earned promotion in 2025, Laois adapted seamlessly to life at Intermediate level. Their biggest achievement came in the Leinster Intermediate Championship, where they captured provincial honours with a 1-15 to 1-13 victory over Kildare. Tynan produced a Player of the Match display in the decider, underlining her importance to the county's success.

Laois carried that momentum all the way to Croke Park for the All-Ireland Intermediate final. Although their hopes of securing back-to-back national titles were ultimately dashed by Antrim, the county's run to the final represented a major statement in their first year at the grade and confirmed their status as one of the rising forces in camogie.

The strength of that campaign was reflected when the 2026 PwC Camogie Soaring Stars team was unveiled, with Aoife Finlay, Clodagh Tynan, Gráinne Delaney and Aimée Collier all honoured.

The quartet were central figures throughout the year. Finlay enjoyed an impressive season at full-back and earns her first Soaring Star recognition, while Tynan's latest award adds to an already growing collection of honours.

For both Tynan and Collier, the selection marks a third consecutive Soaring Star, highlighting the consistency they have shown throughout Laois' recent success. Delaney also retained her place on the team after being recognised in 2025, while Finlay joins her teammates among the award recipients for the first time.

Collier's inclusion continues a remarkable personal journey. The Camross player was named Premier Junior Player of the Year following Laois' All-Ireland triumph in 2025 and has remained one of the county's most influential performers as they made the step up to Intermediate competition.

Antrim, who defeated Laois in the All-Ireland final, dominated this year's Soaring Stars selection with the largest representation, while Armagh and Cavan were also rewarded for successful seasons. However, Laois' four selections underline the impact made by Tommy Fitzgerald's side throughout the championship and provide further evidence of the county's growing strength.

While the disappointment of the All-Ireland final defeat still lingers, 2026 will be remembered as another landmark year for Laois Camogie. A Leinster title, a place in the All-Ireland Intermediate final and significant national recognition for a number of players demonstrate just how successfully the county has navigated the transition from Premier Junior to Intermediate level.

Attention now turns to the PwC Camogie All-Stars Awards at Croke Park on November 21, where Tynan will hope to cap a memorable season by claiming the Intermediate Player of the Year award, while she and her three county teammates will collect their Soaring Stars honours. For Laois Camogie, it would be a fitting finale to a year that has further strengthened the belief that even greater achievements may lie ahead.

The 2026 PwC Camogie Soaring Stars team:

1. Caitríona Graham (Antrim) 2. Eimear O’Kane (Armagh) 3. Aoife Finlay (Laois) 4. Caoimhe McNaughton (Antrim) 5. Katie Molloy (Antrim) 6. Clodagh Tynan (Laois) 7. Clare McKillop (Antrim) 8. Amy Boyle (Antrim) 9. Ciara Hill (Armagh) 10. Róisín O’Keeffe (Cavan) 11. Gráinne Delaney (Laois) 12. Maeve Kelly (Antrim) 13. Aimée Collier (Laois) 14. Roisin McCormick (Antrim) 15. Éobha McAllister (Antrim)