Speech by the Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern, T.D., at the Cumann Peil Gael na mBan All Star Awards in the City West Hotel on Saturday, 17 November, 2007 at 8.15 p.m.
A dhaoine uaisle.
Is cúis áthais dom a bheith ar ais libh arís chun laochra Pheil Gael na mBan an séasúir seo a cheiliúradh agus a aithint. Buíochas leis an gCumann agus le TG4, tá borradh mór ag teacht an t-am ar fad sa pheil. Tá dúil mhór inti. Tá daoine ag imirt ar fud na tíre. Tá a lucht leanúna ag méadú. Ní bheadh an scéal chomh dearfach nó mar atá sé gan tacaíocht TG4 agus an Chumainn féin.
This is the fifth year of the Ladies Football All Star Awards and I am delighted to be a part of this evening's celebrations. The O'Neill's/TG4 Ladies Football All Star Awards gives us a welcome opportunity to sit back, acknowledge and honour the talented pool of young ladies playing Gaelic football today.
While tonight we are honouring 45 players, representing 15 counties, we must not forget that the All-Stars represents over 115,000 players who play ladies Gaelic football throughout the country at both club and county level. It is of course each of these players' aspiration to one day receive an All-Star and become a role model and leader within the sport. I want to thank each and every one of you for your unstinting commitment and dedication. I am sure it is nights like tonight that make the gruelling training sessions in dark, cold winters all the more worthwhile.
Tonight is a night of celebration and reflection on a wonderful year for ladies football, it is also a night tinged with sadness when we remember one of the finest footballers and greatest ambassadors of the sport, Lulu Carroll of Laois. Lulu, a former All Star recipient and All Ireland winner in 2001, sadly passed away after a long illness this August at the age of 35. I am delighted that her husband Ossie, father Mick and mother Angela are here tonight along with other family and friends, to share a tribute to a wonderful lady who will never be forgotten.
2007 proved to be another exciting year for ladies football and the season provided many great sporting moments for us to savour. The All Ireland Senior Champions, Cork, had a fantastic year, making it three in a row for the Rebel county. Their outstanding performance during the year is reflected in their 10 nominations here tonight. It was also a good year for All Ireland finalists and Connacht Champions Mayo who won the National League. And All Ireland Intermediate Champions Leitrim are deservedly being recognised here tonight, along with runners up Wexford, for providing us with a very exciting final.
To keep ladies football vibrant and growing, new talent is vital and that is why I am pleased to see the success of the Young Players of the Year Awards. I would like to congratulate this year's recipients, representing the four provinces: Mellissa Coleman from Mayo, Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh from Kerry, Amy Connolly from Dublin and Ciara Hegarty from Donegal. Well done to each of you and I have no doubt but that this is only the start of a very promising football career for each of you.
This year's Hall of Fame Award goes to Mary Quinn from Leitrim. Her huge contribution to her club, county, school, province and Central Council over the years makes her a worthy recipient. Mary hails from Aughawillian and is sister of Maeve who is also nominated this year. Mary, a former player and All Ireland Junior winner in 1988, is currently Vice-President of the Association and President of the Connacht Council. She has two All Star Awards and has won nine senior county club titles with her club, Aughawillian. Mary, a former teacher with the Marian College in Mohill, has trained teams at all levels with club, county and school. She has served as an officer of the association at all levels, from club right up to Central Council.
This year's All Ireland Intermediate Final was a very emotional occasion for Mary. Not only did her beloved Leitrim win the title but her sister Maeve and niece Eimear McGlade lined out for Leitrim on the day and the cup they received was the 'Mary Quinn Memorial Cup' presented in honour of her late mother. Well done to you, Mary.
Of course, the continued support from sponsors has been crucial in the development of our games and I want to pay special tribute to your main sponsors, O'Neills and TG4, for their generosity. The O'Neills name has long been associated with sport and I want to thank them sincerely for their continuing invaluable support.
I also want to commend TG4 on the excellent work they are continuing to do in promoting our national games - not least, ladies football. Over the past year, we have seen live coverage of the games increase from 14 to 21 broadcasts. The Underdogs programme has once again focused on ladies football and we will see the culmination of this next Saturday in a live game when the Underdogs take on the New York Ladies All Stars. This will be TG4's first match broadcast live from outside the country and I want to wish them well with that.
I also want to acknowledge the Association's other main sponsors Suzuki, Pat the Baker, VHI Healthcare, Lucozade and the Irish Sports Council. I know you are represented here tonight and thank you again for your valuable contribution in supporting our national games.
We in Government share your commitment to the development of ladies football and this is reflected in the funding we have provided to the sport. As part of the Women in Sport initiative, we made available €250,000 in both 2006 and 2007 to Cumann Peil Gael na mBan to develop ladies Gaelic Football and to assist in the implementation of your Strategic Plan, which covers the period 2006 to 2009. This funding is in addition to your Core Grant allocation, which was increased to over €209,000 in 2007. Further funding has been made available for specific programmes, to the tune of €69,000 in 2007. So all in all, we have certainly done our part in supporting ladies football.
It now only remains for me to once again congratulate all the Award winners and nominees. You have done yourself proud during the year and I hope you all have a well-deserved rest before the season starts all over again. Enjoy the rest of the evening.
Go raibh mile maith agaibh.
ENDS