'Overwhelmed' Nicola Ward seeking club silver lining

She has secured her share of individual and collective accolades down through the years, but Galway and Kilkerrin-Clonberne star Nicola Ward has admitted to being 'really overwhelmed' with winning the TG4 Senior Players’ Player of the Year earlier this month.

Already on the stage at The Bonnington Dublin Hotel earlier this month after being named on the All-Star team alongside three of her fellow county women, Ward was taken by surprise when it was announced that she had seen off the challenges of Kayleigh Cronin (Kerry) and Lauren McConville (Armagh) to take the prestigous accolade.

Due to the fact her twin sister Louise was nominated for an All-Star, and her close friend and club-mate Olivia Divilly was named in the team alongside the dynamic centre half-back, Ward was able to celebrate with those nearest and dearest to her on the night.

"It was a shock," Ward acknowledged. "Especially being up against the two girls, Lauren and Kayleigh. They had such brilliant years with their respective counties as well.

"It’s not something that I expected for sure, but I was delighted to get it. It’s a massive honour and especially as well that it was chosen by the players. I think it made it extra special, but I was just really overwhelmed with it to be honest,"

"Louise was nominated and Olivia Divilly, who is one of my good friends. It was a great night for our family. Mum and Dad are very proud and the club is very proud as well. It was a special night."

A couple of months before picking up her first All-Star in 2019, Ward was part of a Galway team that fell short to Dublin in an All-Ireland final. It was a similar scenario for the 28-year-old this year as the recent awards banquet was preceded by the Tribeswomen’s defeat to Kerry in