User:Rachelrowlands/Lil Kirby
Achievements
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Lil Kirby was a decorated player. She is one of thirteen players to have six All-Ireland camogie medals.[1] These are from the years 1934, 1935, 1936, 1938, 1940 and 1941.[1][2] She captained the team in 1940, leading them to success over Galway in the final.[1] She captained then UCC university team and led them to win the Ashbourne Cup in the year 1936.[2][3] She also captained the team in 1937, where they were beaten by UCD in the final.[4][5] The Ashbourne Cup is an Irish inter-varsity camogie championship played every year. The cup was donated by Lord Ashbourne in 1915. It is regarded highly among the camogie community. Teams work hard to prepare for the Cup.[6] Kirby also refereed matches during the course of her career including the 1937 All Ireland Final between Dublin and Galway as well as a senior match between Glen Rovers and Barryroc in 1936.[1][7] Kirby was the first female chair of the Cork County Board, a position she held from the year 1938 to 1942. According to the Camogie Association's website, the board "benefited from her firm and capable leadership".[2] Kirby was also the first woman to become president of the Camogie Association. She held this position from 1942-1945 inclusive. She took on this position soon after a dispute occurred between the Cork and Dublin county boards.[1][2] This dispute was over the GAA banning GAA players from playing "foreign" sports, such as football and hockey.[1] Kirby was also described as a "top class swimmer" and swam over two miles from White Bay to Graball Bay across Cork Harbour in 1931. She was the first woman to finish the swim, and second overall.[1]
- ^ a b c d e f g Moran, Mary (2011). A Game of Our Own: Camogie's Story. Dublin: Cumann Camógaíochta. p. 460. ISBN 978-1908591005.
- ^ a b c d "Presidents". The Camogie Association. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
- ^ "Sporting Gossip". The Irish Times. 10 February 1936. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
- ^ "Keen Duels Promised for Ashbourne Cup". Irish Press. 06 February 1937. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Ashbourne Cup Regained by UCD". Irish Independent. 08 February 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Origins of the Ashbourne Cup". CCAO. 11 September 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Cork County Camogie Board - Senior Matches". Irish Examiner. 25 March 1936. Retrieved 24 October 2019.