Sports DNA

Cait Towe is Gaelic Life Footballer of the year

Words by Shaun Casey (The Sideline Eye)

Clann Eireann star Cait Towe has been named as the Gaelic Life Ladies Footballer of the Year for her displays in 2024. Towe takes the top individual prize on offer following a historic season for the Clann Eireann club.

For the second season in a row, Clann Eireann captured the Ulster crown, making them the dominant force on the provincial scene. Towe was a key part of that success as Clann Eireann retained their crown.

They won three in a row in the Orchard County, once again seeing off Carrickcruppen in the county final. The Lurgan girls proved the team to beat in Ulster and made it to the All-Ireland semi-finals for the second season running.

Versatile

Towe was hugely influential around the centre of the field for Gregory McGonigle’s side throughout the year. Her versatility was also an important component of her play, she was just as comfortable dropping back and sniffing out the best forward on the opposition.

Towe is one of six Clann Eireann players to have been named on the Gaelic Life Team of the Year. Clodagh McCambridge and Roisin Mulligan were among the back six while Niamh Coleman joined Towe at midfield. Niamh Henderson and Niamh Murray were up front.

McCambridge claimed the same prize in 2023 as she was named as the Gaelic Life Footballer of the Year. She was also the captain of the Armagh side last season that claimed the Division One league title.

Towe has certainly carried that outstanding form into the county campaign as Armagh are currently unbeaten at the top of Division One. The Orchard County have won all five of their league games to date.

In the absence of clubmate McCambridge, Towe has filled in seamlessly at full back and has been superb. She put in an almighty performance against Dublin in round three and was named Player of the Match.

Armagh are aiming for a second Division One league title in as many years following last season’s success. It’s exciting times for Joe Feeney and Darnell Parkinson’s team and Towe has a huge role to play.