Mayo defender Ciara Needham breaking new ground for Louisburgh

Last Tuesday week proved to be an historic day for the Louisburgh club in west Mayo.

In her third year on the panel, having progressed steadily through their underage ranks, Mayo senior star Ciara Needham was honoured for her consistent performances in the 2023 inter-county season with an All-Star nomination.

One of four Mayo defenders to be shortlisted amongst an overall group of 45 players – 2022 winner Danielle Caldwell, Clodagh McManamon and team captain Kathryn Sullivan are the others – Needham was also joined by green and red forward Sinéad Cafferky.

As well as being thrilled from a personal point of view, she also recognises the significance of being her club's first female footballer to be nominated for an All-Star.

A small outfit located on the southwest corner of Clew Bay within the Connacht county, Louisburgh were understandably over the moon when news came through that Needham was rewarded for her role in helping Mayo to qualify for a third consecutive All-Ireland semi-final.

"It was a bit of a shock, to be honest. Just really honoured and just delighted with the news, and looking forward to the night," Needham said of her nomination.

"It’s a huge privilege for my club and for my family, but definitely for my club. That’s where it all started off as a five or six-year-old with the underage.

While Needham is the first All-Star nominee from Louisburgh, she may not be the last. Since breaking into the set-up in 2021 – during the recently-departed Michael Moyles’ first season in charge of the side – she has been joined on the Mayo senior panel by her twin sister, Tara.

Like Ciara, she was a regular fixture on the inter-county scene for much of 2023, scoring 1-7 across nine appearances in Division One of the Lidl National