A brave 12-year-old west Limerick girl has scooped a top sporting accolade at a national awards ceremony in Dublin.
Ellie Sheehy from Temple-glantine was named Cam-ogie Player of the Year at the Wheelchair Hurling/Camogie All Star Awards in St. Peregrine’s GAA Club in Blanchardstown, Dublin.
Players from each of the provinces were considered for selection. There were three nominations for each position on the field and, as in the GAA/GPA All Stars, in addition there was also an award for Hurler of the Year, Young Hurler of the Year and Camogie Player of the Year.
Three girls were shortlisted for the Camogie Player of The Year. Everyone was on tenterhooks on the day waiting for the announce-ment of the winner, and it was a proud moment for Templeglantine when Ellie, who was nominated for two awards, was named Camogie Player of the Year 2014 and presented with her award by the Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar TD.
This is not the first honour for the 12-year-old. Ellie has won many West Limerick and county titles with the Templeglantine National School camogie team.
It’s not the first time for her to make national headlines, as, representing the sport of wheelchair hurling/camogie, she was chosen to present the sliothar to referee Brian Galvin before the 2014 All Ireland Hurling Final replay between Kilkenny and Tipperary on 27th September 2014.
Ellie holds two All-Ireland medals in her chosen sport and she also has the accolade of being the Player of the Championship for 2014 in Munster.
Ellie suffers from spina bifida and as a result is limited in her physical ability to participate in many areas of life. Despite all the challenges she faces on a daily basis, Ellie’s character, determination and her positive attitude to life have enabled her to achieve more than anyone could possibly envisage for any twelve year old girl.