Words Ger Cody. Photos Pat Shortall
I recently watched a documentary on successful sports people in Ireland.
Sadly, too few were female, but the hope from the speakers was that the trend was changing.
Arguably, one female who blazed a trail for sports in general, and athletics in particular was Sonia O’Sullivan.
O’Sullivan stated: “There has never been a better time for girls and young women to be inspired to take up sport, or pursue their sporting dream to the highest level.”
Continuing, O’Sullivan said that when a girl has that dream, and pursues that dream of a life in sport through hard work and determination, anything is possible.
“Yet you can’t just turn up and join in if you want to stand out and be an outlier in your chosen sport. In order to compete with the best, you need to be prepared to be different, you need to go against the grain and find the path that works for you, continued the Cobh athlete.
These challenging words from Ireland’s iconic 5000 metres gold medal winner at the 1995 world championships, could very easily be attributed to the Dicksboro senior camogie team following their All Ireland success over Galway club Sarsfields.
THE CARROLL CUP
Following their success in capturing the ‘Bill and Agnes Carroll cup’, the panel, management team and officers of the ‘Boro club were invited to City hall Kilkenny by Mayor Joe Malone to honour their victory.
Welcoming the Palmerstown representatives to City Hall Mayor Malone praised the hard work of the team throughout the year and insisted that the display in Croke Park on All Ireland final day underlines the serious work ethic that resonates within this group. Concluding, Mayor Malone congratulated the ‘Boro team and management on their inaugural All Ireland success and said the victory further embellished the sporting excellence of Kilkenny city and county.
Chair of Kilkenny County Council Michael Doyle spoke of the enormous dedication needed to win the different stages of the Camogie championship. “From the County final, to winning Leinster and then going on to win the All Ireland, took enormous resilience, and you had plenty of it”, said the Council chairman.
Michael said that a civic reception, proposed by Cllr David Fitzgerald
was in the pipeline for the ‘Boro ladies.
A PROUD DAY
Catherine Peters, camogie chairman, said it was a great honour for the Dicksboro club to have won.” The club,” she said, “was bursting with pride.” Catherine reminded the winning ladies to savour the moment. “These victories, as you well know, are hard got, so appreciate the victory when it comes your way”, said a very proud Catherine.
NEW LEVEL
Manager of the team Donal Carroll praised the work of the panel saying that their enthusiasm was at a level he had not experienced before. “They recognised the various challenges that every game brought and ensured that they worked hard to conquer them. “That hard worked paid off and the display of cups here tonight is testament to that”, said the delighted team manager.
THREE IN A ROW
Two special guests in attendance on the night were Teasie Brennan and Marie Fitzpatrick. Both ladies were team members of St Pauls camogie team who won camogie All-Ireland title in 1968, 1969 and 1970.The third Kilkenny city member on that team was Ursula Grace.
SPECIAL BOND
Speaking to the Kilkenny Observer Newspaper,captain of the victorious team Jennie Clifford, said that the bond within the team was very special and she couldn’t be prouder working with such an honest bunch of players who never gave up.
A TOUCH OF CLASS
As the ‘Boro ladies celebrated their All Ireland success they took time from a hectic schedule to bring the cup to the homes of stalwart club personnel, Eugene & Kathleen Begley, Shem Tynan and Tony Dunning. Speaking on behalf of the panel, ‘Player of the Match’ Aoife Prendergast acknowledged the debt the present generation of Dicksboro players owe to the visionaries that ensured the club was built on solid foundations.
CONGRATS
The Kilkenny Observer is delighted to offer congratulations to Camogie captain Jenny Clifford and Darragh Hickey who got engaged at Christmas.
