Stella sprang to prominence at the age of 11 when she won the player of the match award in the Leinster Women’s Senior Cup final, the first of many trophies she won with Clontarf. As there was no girls cricket at the time she played on the boys sides and became such a feared opponent that a rule was introduced banning mixed sides – she was the only girl playing at the time.

She was an exceptional fast bowler and was 17 years old when Ireland played their first international back in 1983. She took Ireland’s very first wicket and ended with 11 overs 6 maidens 1 for 8. For several seasons she was one of the most feared bowlers in women’s world cricket.

While her career was hampered by injuries however and she played just 35 matches over the next decade, reinventing herself as a fluent batter who could tear an attack apart.