31 October 2007 Cork Ladies celebrate their success Share this Article 0 0 0 Shares! 0 Shares! 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 14s 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 hotels 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 OGrady 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 Valeries 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 OSullivan. 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 OGrady 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 OGrady 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 OSullivan 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 Share this Article 0 0