Patricia Monahan Distinguished Contribution Award

O’Neill’s Dublin Ladies Football Annual Awards 2007

Castleknock Hotel & Country Club Friday 9th February 2007.

Patricia Monahan – a native of Edenmore, Raheny, on the north
side of Dublin.

Youngest of 4 children – (2 boys / 2 girls)

Educated: St. Eithne’s National School, Edenmore, Raheny.

She received her Post- Primary education at the former Holy Rosary
College , Edenmore.

She subsequently went on to study Physical Therapy at Inchicore
College.

Finalist in the then Aer Lingus “Young Scientist of the
Year” competition in the R.D.S on the now topical subject
of pollution of the envoirnment.

Patricia played basketball whilst at school and took up Camogie
(the latter she concealed from her Mother ‘Patty’ for a considerable
period of time).

Patricia acquired her love of Gaelic Games from her late beloved
father, Terry Monahan – a gentleman, synonymous with Dublin GAA
throughout the decades until his untimely death at the relatively
early age of 65. And what a way to go – spirited off to the stadium
in the sky whilst supporting the Dubs on the Hill in their Championship
encounter against Donegal in 1993. I am sure the glorious moon
and floodlights illuminated his vantage point of Croker from afar
on Saturday night.

Terry would often bring Patricia to Parnell Park, where he held
the position of Grounds Supervisor. Patricia would take responsibility
for the old scoreboard. John Costello’s predecessor Jim King would
give Patricia a few bob for her assistance on the big days.

Terry remained a formidable influence on Particia. A founder
member of St. Monica’s GAA Club, he went on to serve as Club Secretary
and Club Chairman – a position he held at the time of his passing.

The highlight of Patricia’s Gaelic career was scoring the winning
goal for her Club, St. Monica’s in the 1989 Co. Championship Final
in O’Toole Park in 1989. Playing alongside household names like
Julie Kavanagh, a talisman for Dublin Ladies Football in the early
days.

In 1995, she was appointed Secretary of her Club St. Monica’s
– a position she held for 3 years. Particia is currently Juvenile
Club Secretary and Club Registrar.

All troughout, Patricia has had her feet firmly planted to the
ground as U-11 Ladies Football Manager , co-ordinating Saturday
morning activity at the Nursery.

In the early days, Patricia served as Assistant Co. Secretary
to the Dublin Co. Board when the Helen O’Rourke, C.E.O of our
Association held the position of Dublin Co. Board Chairperson.

Patricia was a key member of the Dublin Junior Ladies Management
Team alongside Pat Lynch, Sean Walsh and Bernice Jones-Moore.
I have fond recollections of her preparing the Dublin team for
their 2003 Leinster Final against Wexford in Dr. Cullen Park in
Carlow.

Patricia had a profound influence on her colleagues who served
on the Executive Committee of Dublin Ladies Football. I have had
the privilege of working alongside Patricia on and off throughout
the past decade. A truly dedicated and inspiring influence at
all times. Particia earned the enviable reputation of fairness
in all her dealings. Her qualities of directness, honesty and
most of all integrity have been the hallmarks of her association
with Dublin Ladies Football.

Always willing to oblige when called upon for advice. It is not
surprising, therefore, when it came to assigning the task of a
full review of the Dublin Bye-Laws, I looked no further than a
Sub-Committee, headed by none other than Patricia.

Patricia moved from her involvement with the Dublin Ladies Co.
Board to a short-term contract with the Ladies Gaelic Football
Association at Headquarters in Croke Park before taking up a part-time
administrative appointment in Áras Átha Cliath,
Pairc Parnell. Patricia now holds a full-time appointment with
G.A.C Administration in Parnell Park, working closely with James
Foran & Danny O’Connor.

Tomorrow, her uncle, Gerry flies in from New York to perform
the annual presentation of the ‘Terry Monahan Memorial Cup’ to
the ‘St. Monica’s Club Person of the Year’. Gerry is actively
involved in Gaelic Park in New York.

With a background pedigree of this nature, our selection committee
had no hesitation whatever in selecting Patricia Monahan as the
worthy recipient of the 2007 O’Neill’s Dublin Ladies Football
‘Distinguished Contribution Award’