TIPPERARY LADIES RECEIVE 2010 MEDALS AT PRESENTATION NIGHT HELD IN CAHIR HOUSE HOTEL

2010 was yet another successful year for Tipperary Ladies Football obtaining 3 Underage Munster titles at U14, U16 and Minor levels and competing in two All Ireland finals at U14 and Minor levels, unfortunately neither team obtained the All Ireland tiltle, although they only fell short by narrow margins.

The hard work, commitment, dedication, skill and achievements of the Management teams and players who were involved in these games were acknowledged in Cahir House Hotel on Friday 28th January last. The U14 girls received their Munster and
All Ireland Runners Up medals; the U16 girls received their Munster medals; and the Minor girls received their Munster and All Ireland runners-up medals. The night was made special by the presence of the current President of Ladies Gaelic Football
Association Mr. Pat Quill and his wife Liz; and the President of Munster Ladies Gaelic Football Association Mr. Dan O’Mahoney and his wife Rose.

The County Board Vice Chairperson Mr. Tommie Campbell was Master of Ceremonies and opened the ceremony by welcoming all who were in attendance, and acknowledging the outstanding achievements of the girls. He called upon the County Board Chairperson Mr. Enda McDonnell to say his few words. Mr. McDonnell firstly pointed out the successes of the intercounty teams since 2005 which included 2 All Ireland titles and 8 Munster titles. 2010 alone saw Tipperary claim all three underage Munster titles at U14, U16 and Minor levels. He thanked the commitment and hard work of each management team including managers, selectors, first aiders; he acknowledged the loyalty, co-operation and support of the parents to get the girls to training and all their games. He also congratulated the 2010 Senior team, who are in process of building themselves into a serious Senior team since their promotion to the top ranks following their All Ireland Intermediate win in 2008. They were unlucky not to reach the Division 2 League semi final in 2010. They had a tough draw in the Munster Championship and were defeated by Clare; however they went on to defeat Meath live on TG4 in the All Ireland qualifiers only to be drawn against Clare again in the next round of qualifiers who yet again defeated them to end their 2010 season.
Mr. McDonnell thanked TG4 for the promotion of ladies football over the past ten years and has no doubt that the development of new clubs in the County is down to the promotion of ladies football on the television. He is hoping that in 2011, Tipperary ladies football will see eight new clubs come on board, which just proves that ladies football definitely is one of the fastest growing sports in the Country. He congratulated Keith Delahunty, a top class referee who hails from Moyle Rovers Club, who was given the honour of refereeing in Croke Park on All Ireland Final day.
Mr. McDonnell congratulated his standard of refereeing in the 2010 All Ireland Senior Ladies Football final. He went on to congratulate Moyle Rovers on being only the second team in Tipperary to win a Munster Junior Club title. He acknowledged
Mary Fahey, a long serving member of Tipperary Ladies football who acted as a selector on bother Junior and Juvenile teams, Fixtures secretary and in later years as Cultural and Languages Officer who has recently stepped down from her involvement with ladies football at County level. Mr. McDonnell welcomed and thanked special guests Mr. Pat Quill and Mr. Dan O’Mahoney and their wifes Liz and Rose respectively for taking the time out of their busy schedules to attend this special event. The County Board Chairperson thanked Tommie Campbell and Andrew Meaney and all involved in organising the event for all their help and hard work in ensuring the evening was a success. He complemented the hotel and the staff for such a lovely meal.

Master of Ceremonies Tommie Campbell then welcomed Mr. Pat Quill to the microphone having reminding him of his involvement in ladies football since 1979!

Mr. Quill began by congratulating all the 2010 Munster winners. He thanked the Tipperary County Board for extending the invitation to himself and his wife Liz. He continued by thanking County Officials such as Liam and Mary Shinnick and Biddy
Ryan for helping to put Tipperary Ladies Football back on the map thanks to all their hard work both locally and at a National level. He congratulated intercounty referees Keith Delahunty and Richie O’Connor for the high standard of refereeing they were providing throughout the country. He then stated the value of sport to all the young girls who were present. There is no organisation in the world who provides sports such Mens and Ladies Gaelic Football, Hurling, Camoige, Rounders and Handball. By participating in our National Sports all of these girls will develop skills which they can put to use in their everyday lifes; skills such as confidence and team work. He also stated that the friendships gained in team sports are immeasurable.
Having attended the Asian Games in 2009, he added how apparent it became of how popular Ladies Gaelic Football is throughout the world witnessing 29 different nationalities participate in 50 various teams. In today’s current economic climate,
with immigration evident for some of our young girls, they can be grateful to know that no matter where they go in the world, they may be in a position to participate in ladies gaelic football and liaise with people of their own nationality. Mr Quill added
that the successes of the girls was thanks to the hard work at club and county levels.
He congratulated the Cahir Club on winning the Feile competition in 2010. This win proved the saying “If at first you don’t succeed, try try again!”, having been runners up in the competition on three previous occasions. He told the girls how they were a pride to their parents, club, parish and county and to remember that they appear as role models to their younger peers. He concluded by reminding the girls to always keep the fun factor in the game and it will enhance their skills even further.

Next to take to the microphone was Mr. Dan O’Mahoney, President of Munster Ladies Gaelic Football Association. Mr. O’Mahoney began by listing the achievements of the County in 2010 including the 3 underage Munster titles, being runners up in U14 All Ireland final by 3 points and being runners up in the Minor All Ireland final by 4 points. He expressed the delight of the province at seeing the U14 team being defeated by the narrowest of margins in the Munster Championship by Kerry and how it is hoped that this U14 team holds the hopes of the County for the 2011 and the future. The All Ireland successes of the 2008 Intermediate winners has obviously been built on within the County with Brian Borus winning the Intermediate County title and bringing a senior championship back into the County allowing the girls compete at the highest level of football. Mr. O’Mahoney again thanked the hard work being done at Munster level by Liam and Mary Shinnick, Biddy Ryan, Enda McDonnell and Andrew Meaney. He thanked Cahir for hosting the inaugural Munster 7 a side competition in Cahir in July 2010. He extended his thanks for all their assistance in organising and running the event. He complimented Moyle Rovers Club for hosting the Gaelic 4mothers and Gaelic 4girls events in 2010 also. He ended by wishing the County every success in the future.

First up to be presented with their medals were the U16 team who claimed the 2010 Munster Title. County Board Secretary and team selector Andrew Meaney introduced each of the girls as they stepped forward to receive their medals from the
President of the Munster Ladies Gaelic Football Association Mr. Dan O’Mahoney and their Team Selector from Brian Borus Club Mrs. Eileen Myles.

Next up to receive their medals were the U14 Munster winning team and All Ireland Runners Up of 2010. The girls were called forward by their Team Manager Mrs. Biddy Ryan to receive their medals from the President of the Munster Ladies Gaelic
Football Association Mr. Dan O’Mahoney also.

The Minor winning team received their Munster and All Ireland Runners Up medals from the President of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association Mr. Pat Quill. Once again the County Board Secretary Andrew Meaney called on the girls to come
forward to accept their 2010 medals.

Presentations were made also made to the following people for their contributions to Tipperary Ladies Football:

U14 Management team consisting of Manager Ms. Biddy Ryan; Selectors Tony Fox, Karl McCarthy, Andrew Meaney and First Aider Catherine Meaney. U16 Management team consisting of Manager Shane Ronayne; Selectors Eileen Myles, and Ollie Kirby and Team Physio and First Aider Barbara Moran. The Minor Management team of Manager Shane Ronayne and selectors Eileen Myles and Martin Ryan. Thanks and best wishes were extended to Shane Ronayne and Martin Ryan who could not attend on the night. 2010 Senior All Ireland Ladies Football Referee Keith Delahunty received a presentation in recognition of his honour of
refereeing the All Ireland Senior Ladies Football final. He is a pride to his family, club and parish.

The County Board are sad to lose some very special officers and mentors this year and these retiring members were also acknowledged on the night. These included Mr. Paddy Morrissey, Ms. Kathleen O’Sullivan, Ms. Mary Fahey and Ms. Olive
McDonnell. Mr. Sean O’Regan was also awarded for helping to train the Senior team during the transition period of replacing the Management team. Ms. Barbara Moran (now Hyland) was presented with a gift following her recent wedding. Finally to receive their presentations were Mr. Pat Quill and Mr. Dan O’Mahoney as a token of thanks from the County Board for taking the time to attend the ceremony.

The night concluded with a raffle and the following were the raffle winners; Mary Kinane; Cliona Higgins; Toss Condon; Linda Murphy; Aishling Butler; Sean O’Donovan; Thea Buckley, Ms. McCarthy, Patrick Condon, Margaret McCarthy, Jessica Newman, Niamh Mackey, Eimear, Liz Quill, Leanne, Tom McCarthy.

Please visit the Tipperary Ladies Football www.tipperaryladiesfootball.ie for up-to- date news and reports from the intercounty scene and the continued work being done by the County Board. Thank you to all who attended and supported the evening and made it a special one for all involved. The players who were successful in 2010 are listed below.