Karen Kennedy played key role in Tipperary camogie team securing first silverware in 13 years

Thurles Sarsfields camogie player Karen Kennedy has been honoured with an Annerville award by the Tipperary United Sports Panel.

In the opening round of last year's National League, Karen Kennedy scored a wonder goal after solo running all the way from her centre back berth. This helped Tipperary to a big win against Galway, who were All-Ireland champions at the time, and reminded everyone just what Tipp had missed when Karen was absent through injury the previous year.

Her performance that day was the start of things to come, as she produced a memorable year of outstanding displays in the blue and gold. As joint captain she let her hurling do the talking and led by example every day she took to the field with exemplary performances of pace, power, determination and grit. Her reading of the game, fielding and striking were always of the highest order.

Karen was to the fore at centre back as Denis Kelly’s charges defeated Waterford in the Munster semi-final. A flawless display in the Munster final against Clare yielded a player of the match award for the Thurles Sarsfields woman, as Tipperary powered their way to victory, picking up the first piece of silverware since 2010.

Karen and the team continued to impress throughout their All-Ireland championship campaign, topping the group and qualifying for the All-Ireland quarter-final. A win over Antrim set up a semi-final meeting with Waterford, but despite a positive start they missed out on an All-Ireland final appearance.

Attention then turned to the club championship and once again Karen was in lethal form. Despite operating at midfield, she was consistently one of Sarsfields’ top scorers and at times was almost unmarkable. A hat-trick in one championship game was one of the many highlights. Thurles Sarsfields had their best year since their promotion to senior, before they eventually suffered a narrow defeat by county champions Drom-Inch.

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 next Saturday night, January 27. Some tickets are still available from Sports Panel Treasurer Ken Conway, tel. 087-6784510.