The Hegarty sisters from Moville, Ciara and Niamh, were named on the 2017 TG4 Ladies Football All-Star team last night.
Ciara Hegarty was named at centre half-back on the team with her sister Niamh included at centre half-forward on the selection, which was named at the gala banquet in the Citywest Hotel.
Picture: Micheál Naughton, who managed the Donegal senior ladies in 2017, with Niamh and Ciara Hegarty.
The Hegartys were instrumental as Donegal reached the Division 1 League final and then won the Ulster Senior Championship.
While their All-Ireland bid was gunned down by Mayo in a quarter-final, Donegal’s season was still recognised with the inclusion of the Hegartys on a team dominated by Dublin, the All-Ireland champions, who have six representatives.
It is a first award for both of them and the become the first sisters to be selected since the Courtneys, Sharon and Cora, in 2013.
Ciara Hegarty receives her All-Star award
Their Donegal team-mates Karen Guthrie, Yvonne McMonagle and Geraldine McLaughlin were also nominated for awards.
Dublin’s haul of six awards matches their previous best on an All-Star team – which was achieved in 2010 when they also won the TG4 All-Ireland senior crown.
Captain Sinéad Aherne received a sixth award – making her the most decorated Dublin All-Star recipient in history.
Aherne is joined on the TG4 All-Star team by Dublin team-mates Ciara Trant, Rachel Ruddy, Leah Caffrey, Nicole Owens and Noelle Healy.
It was a night of history when Mayo’s Cora Staunton collected a record-equalling 11th award, to draw level with Kerry’s Mary Jo Curran at the top of the roll of honour.
Niamh Hegarty receives her All-Star Award
