Cork Ladies celebrate their success

Cork Ladies Celebrate. By Fr Liam Kelleher

On this Thursday Cork Ladies football Gala Diner will be held
at Rochestown Park Hotel. What an occasion it promises to be with
the celebration of a record year for Cork. The Senior team retained
their title and made it three in a row. To really show the depth
of talent in Cork at Adult level the Senior B team, also took
National honours. Not to be outdone the Minor team captured the
All-Ireland crown as did the under 16 squad for the 3rd time in
4 years. While the under 14’s lost to Dublin after scoring 7-11,
they did have the consolation of the B team winning the All-Ireland
Under 14 Blitz title. Guest of honour for the evening will be
former Cork Senior Hurling Manager John Allen. With such outstanding
success the ticket allocation is long sold out, for what promises
to be night to remember.

Valerie Mulcahy honoured.

A very pleasant function at the Montenote Hotel in Cork. Cork
star Valerie Mulcahy was honoured with the hotel’s Monthly sports
award. The hotel led by John Gately gives a huge profile to Sport
and have been honouring stars for the past 8 Months Valerie is
the first female to be honoured. A teacher at the North Mon Gael
Scoil where legendary Donal O’Grady is Principal. Valerie had
once again an outstanding year for Cork and capped a fine season
with her display in the All-Ireland final against Mayo when she
slotted home a vital penalty coming up to half time. Present at
the dinner were Valerie’s family, members of her Club Rockban,
Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Donal Counihane, Cork Senior Coach Eamonn
Ryan, Co Chairman Tom Luddy PRO FR Liam Kelleher, Mens Chairman
Mick Dolan, Cllr Gerry Kelly, Bob Honohan. The event was expertly
organised and compered by Tom O’Sullivan. The Lord mayor said
he was honoured to be invited to such a great occasion and to
be able to pay tribute to such a dainty footballer with such a
delicate touch, a lady of rare leadership qualities and paid tribute
to her colleagues on the team, he thanked the hotel for a wonderful
meal. Ladies Chairman Tom Luddy, congratulated Valerie and said
the numbers playing in the Co, have gone from 4,000 to 5,000 in
just 2 years, with 59 clubs involved. He said these players will
be the mothers of the future and they will going to the cross
roads and will be deciding which direction to take.

It will be up to the GAA to look after them and encourage them.
He said that Valeries left leg should be insured, such has been
her scoring contribution to Cork. Cllr Gerry Kelly stated he was
a great fan of Ladies football, a game that flows, without cynicism
and the GAA could well borrow some of the ideas and rules. Valerie
has always been a match winner and to have her teaching in the
area is a real bonus and she can have such influence, as a role
model. Mick Dolan who too has been a great supporter of the Ladies
game down the years congratulated Valerie on behalf of the Board
and said he was delighted that she had Donal O’Grady as her Principal.
He reminded the audience that Croke Park was as much a home for
the Ladies as its was for the men and hoped the finals would never
be moved from the venue. Donal O’Grady said he was delighted to
have Valerie on the Staff and she is now an icon in the sport
and does great work in the school for Ladies football and camogie
and other sports. He reminded the audience that during his time
at Colaiste Eoin in Youghal and Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal in Blarney
he introduced ladies football, as he did in his present school,
John Gately Congratulated Valerie and thanked Sean O’Sullivan
for organising the event and hoped it would encourage more young
people to get involved in sport. He also thanked financial controller
Tony Ryan. Valerie accepted this Northside award from John Gately
thanked the hotel and everybody who made the occasion so memorable
and stated she was privileged to be part of such a great team.

Night at Dogs

One of the great social nights of the year which is expected to
raise much needed funds for the Cork ladies. Again after such
a successful year despite the major sponsorship from Castleands
the Co Board finds itself very much in the red. Hopefully you
can put it in your diary and make every effort to be present for
what should be a great night