The Association has had 30 Presidents to date since its foundation including two Life Presidents.
Life Presidents:
1935-1951 Professor Agnes O’Farrelly (Cavan)
Born on June 24th, 1874 at Raffony, Virginia, Co. Cavan, Agnes became a noted Gaelic scholar, educationist, writer and champion of women’s rights. An executive member of the Gaelic League, she was a close friend of Douglas Hyde, first President of Ireland, and other leading personalities in the Irish Ireland movement.
She presided over the inaugural meeting of the U.C.D. Camogie Club and became its first President, a position she held until her death in 1951. She prevailed on her friend, Edwin Gibson, Lord Ashbourne, to donate the impressive Ashbourne Cup for intervarsity competition.
One of the most prominent women of her time, she was appointed Professor of Modern Poetry at U.C.D., held a seat of the Governing Body of the University and was elected to the Senate. Under the pen name ‘Uan Uladh’, she wrote two novels and books of poetry in the Irish language. With Mary Hayden, she campaigned for women’s rights in the universities. Together, they founded the Irish Association of Women Graduates. Agnes chaired the inaugural meeting of Cumann na mBan but withdrew at the time of the ‘Volunteer Split’.
She became more deeply involved in camogie affairs. Her voice carried weight. When she spoke, delegates listened, when she spoke in public, the newspapers picked it up and gave her words prominence. At a time when the Camogie Association struggled for recognition and acceptance, Agnes lent credence and status. She guided the Association through difficult times and had the title Life President of the Camogie Association conferred upon her in 1935.
Intelligent, generous and an achiever, Agnes saw what needed to be done and did something about it. It was an indication of the esteem in which she was held that the President of Ireland, Seán T. O’Kelly, and the Taoiseach, Eamon de Valera, attended her funeral in November 1951.
1999-2004 Sheila McAnulty (Down)
Born in Warrenpoint, Co. Down in 1916, Sheila was honoured with the title of Life President in 1999 in recognition of her unique contribution to the Camogie Association. She was the leading administrator in the Association for several decades. She rose from secretary of the Betsy Gray club in Warrenpoint to the Down County Board and Ulster Council, leaving her mark on all of them. Sheila’s qualities were recognised at national level and she was elected President of the Camogie Association in 1949. She made an immediate impact bringing a splintered Association together. Under her leadership, the Association consolidated and expanded. She was rewarded with a fourth year in the top post.
On completion of her term of office, she became Ard Runaí, a role she filled with astuteness, foresight and expertise from 1953 to 1975. Held in high regard by all, Sheila launched new ideas and encouraged others to do likewise. She passionately pursued the ideals of the Association. Sheila lent a sympathetic ear to inexperienced officials who sought help and placed them on the right path.
An articulate speaker, she could hold her own in any company. Well read, she possessed a deep pool of general knowledge which she put to good use in winning the All-Ireland Scór Question Time in 1996. Managing Director of a motor factors company, Sheila reached the top of her profession. When she retired from business, she enrolled as a student at Queen’s University and graduated with distinction. An ardent follower of Down football, she wrote ‘Ó Shíol go Bláth’, a history of Down G.A.A. Recognised outside the Association as a leading sports administrator, she was appointed to COSAC, the sports advisory council in 1970. She died on July 7th, 2004.
Presidents
- 1905 Máire Ní Chinnéide (Dublin)
- 1911 Elizabeth Countess of Fingall (Meath)
- 1923 Mollie Gill (Dublin)
- 1942 Lil Kirby (Cork)
- 1945 Agnes Hennessy (Cavan)
- 1946 Sheila Horgan (Cork)
- 1949 Sheila McAnulty (Down)
- 1953 Lucy Byrne (Wicklow)
- 1956 Lily Spence (Antrim)
- 1959 Eilish Redmond (Dublin)
- 1962 Crios O’Connell (Limerick)
- 1965 Lil O’Grady (Cork)
- 1968 Rosina McManus (Antrim)
- 1971 Nell McCarthy (Dublin)
- 1973 Nancy Murray (Antrim)
- 1976 Agnes Purcell (Dublin)
- 1979 Mary Moran (Cork)
- 1982 Mary Fennelly (Kilkenny)
- 1985 Mary Lynch (Monaghan)
- 1988 Máire Ní Cheallacháin (Cork)
- 1991 Brídín Uí Mhaolagáin (Dublin)
- 1994 Belle O’Loughlin (Down)
- 1997 Phyllis Breslin (Dublin)
- 2000 Pat Rafferty (Dublin)
- 2003 Miriam O’Callaghan (Offaly)
- 2006 Liz Howard (Tipperary)
- 2009 Joan O’Flynn (Kildare)
- 2012 Aileen Lawlor (Westmeath)
- 2015 Catherine Neary (Kilkenny)
- 2018 Kathleen Woods (Armagh)
Máire Ní Chinnéide:
Born in Dublin, Máire was educated by the Dominicans at Muckross Park. She graduated with a B.A. in modern literature from the Royal University and was awarded the first travelling studentship in Irish from the University. Fluent in Irish, French, Italian and German, she took up the position of professor of Irish at Ard Scoil Mhuire in Donnybrook.
Máire was president of the Keating’s Camogie Club and its leader for many years. At the age of 26, she was elected President of the Camogie Association, a daunting task for one so young. She played in the first camogie match between Keatings and Cuchulainns and had the distinction of scoring the first goal in competitive camogie.
An active member of Cumann na mBan, she wrote and produced a number of plays. Máire was President of An tOireachtas in the 1950s. Held in high esteem in Irish society, she was a member of the board of Trustees of the National Library, sat on the Firm Censorship Appeal Board and was appointed a member of the Council of the Royal Dublin Society. She married John Fitzgerald, who was Accountant General of the Civil Service. She died on April 25th, 1967.
Elizabeth, Countess of Fingall:
Born Elizabeth Burke in Moycullen, Co. Galway, she married Arthur Plunkett, the 11th Earl of Fingall, at the age of seventeen and went to live in Killeen Castle, Co. Meath. A notable figure in Irish society, she served as President of the United Women of Ireland (later renamed the Irish Countrywomen’s Association) from 1912-1942. She sat on numerous charitable committees. In 1927, she published her memoirs ‘Seventy Years Young’.
She greeted everyone with genuine friendship and took a keen interest in their concerns. Endowed with a quick mind and ready wit, she summed up people instantly and was seldom wrong. Elizabeth did not attend meetings and filled the role of patron rather than President of the Camogie Association. She died in October, 1944 at the age of 88.
Mollie Gill:
Born in Murphystown, Co. Dublin in 1891, Mollie served as President of the Camogie Association for twenty years. A member of the Crokes camogie club, she had an impressive playing career. She captained Leinster to win the Tailteann Games in 1928 and 1932 and led Dublin to victory in the All-Ireland finals of 1932 and 1933. Mollie, who always wore a soft felt hat on the field, possessed a neat style of play which proved most effective. She chaired the Dublin County Board from 1917 to 1935. Mollie opposed the introduction of the ban on hockey in the late thirties.
Nationalistic in outlook, she worked for the Irish Republican Prisoners’ Dependent Fund. A member of Inghinidhe na hÄireann, she later joined Cumann na mBan. Mollie had a deep interest in the Irish cultural revival. She was employed at Dún Emer industries where she trained as a printer. When Lolly and Lily Yeats, sisters of W.B. Yeats, set up their own enterprise, Cuala Industries, Mollie came on board. Mollie died March 15th, 1977 at the age of 86.
Lil Kirby:
Born in 1921, Lil grew up on the Model Farm Road, Cork and was educated at St. Aloysius School. Captain of U.C.C. Ashbourne Cup winning side of 1936, she enjoyed a distinguished playing career. A regular on the Cork team from 1934 to 1941, she collected six All-Ireland senior medals and led Cork to success in the 1940 campaign.
Lil was the first woman to chair the Cork Camogie Board. The county benefited from her firm and capable leadership. She was elected President of the Camogie Association when the two sides came together following the split over the hockey ban. A commerce graduate, she married David Crowley and settled in Bandon. Lil was a top class swimmer. She died in November, 1987 at the age of 66.
Agnes Hennessy:
A native of Drumgoon, near Cootehill, Co. Cavan, Agnes Hennessy (nee O’Donohoe) was elected President of the Camogie Association in 1945. A founder member of the O’Leary’s camogie club in Drumgoon in 1933, she served the Cavan County Board for thirteen years, acting as chairperson from 1940 to 1948. An officer of Ulster Council, Agnes was a sought-after referee throughout the province.
Married to James J. Hennessy, town clerk of Cootehill, she had four sons and three daughters. Shortly after her election as President, her husband died suddenly. She did not seek re-election in 1946 and emigrated to Australia soon afterwards.
Sheila Horgan:
From a farming family in Ballinora, Co. Cork, Sheila was unopposed for the position of President in 1946. She kept Mid-Cork faithful to the Camogie Association during the years that the Cork County Board was on the outside. She organised the Mid-Cork divisional board providing competition for the clubs involved. Sheila was vice-chairman of the Cork County Board prior to Cork’s abstention and served as secretary of Munster Council for two years.
A quiet, soft-spoken and hard-working woman, Sheila was a key player on the Ballinora team which won the Cork junior championship in 1934. Her brother, Jim, played full-back for the Cork senior hurling team.
Lucy Byrne:
Daughter of Larry Cullen, the first treasurer of the Wicklow G.A.A. Board, Lucy came from a strong gaelic games background. She moved from Ashford to Glenealy on her marriage to Christy (‘C.M.’) Byrne, who chaired the Wicklow G.A.A. Board from 1910 to 1947. Lucy was the guiding light in Wicklow Camogie circles over a thirty year period. Elected as President of the Camogie Association in 1953, she was held in high respect.
An enthusiastic and whole-hearted worker for the Association, she possessed a good knowledge of camogie administration. Fluent in Irish, Lucy was a member of the Gaelic League and Cumann na mBan. She did not enjoy the best of health during her presidency and died in November, 1956, a few months after completing her term of office.
Lily Spence:
Lily was introduced to camogie at St. Dominic’s School in Belfast. She joined St. Teresa’s club and won an All-Ireland senior medal with Antrim in 1947. Long-serving secretary of Ulster Colleges Council, Lily headed the new All-Ireland Colleges Council when it was formed in 1969. Throughout the Troubles in Northern Ireland, Lily travelled with her great friend, Rosina McManus, to oversee colleges fixtures over the length and breadth of the country. Ignoring the danger, they arrived in time to collect at the gate, sell programmes and, more often than not, one of them refereed the match.
Elevated to the position of President in 1956, Lily was never afraid to air her views, irrespective of whether they were popular or not. When her term of office as President was complete, Lily took over as treasurer of the Camogie Association, a role she filled with great efficiency for twenty years. She excelled at refereeing and took charge of four All-Ireland senior finals. Talkative and entertaining, Lily has been an avid golfer for many years.
Eilish Redmond:
Eilish Keegan and her sisters were founder members of the Celtic club in 1928. She had a life-long attachment to the club which grew to be one of the most successful and famous clubs in the country. She filled the position of club chairperson for many years. Eilish gave her time and talents to Dublin as chairperson of the county board and selector of the Dublin teams.
Elected to the post of President of the Camogie Association in1959, she presented the O’Duffy Cup to captains from her own county on three occasions. Secretary to a firm of accountants, she always did what was expected of her in a ladylike way. She married John Redmond and resided in Beaumont, Dublin.
Crios O’Connell:
Limerick lady, Crios O’Connell was elected President of the Camogie Association in 1962. A fluent Irish speaker and a member of the Gaelic League, she had a strong interest in Irish culture. Crios belonged to St. Patrick’s camogie club, with whom she won a Limerick championship medal in 1947. She chaired the Limerick County Board for many years before moving to Munster Council where she guided the affairs of the province from 1952 to 1958. Quick to grasp the situation and get people to accept her authority, Crios was as very able official.
A fine singer, particularly of Irish songs, she ran a bakery at her home in Pennywell. Her brothers, Mick, Seán and Matt, served the Limerick G.A.A. Board. She was appointed to chair the Munster Colleges Council when it was formed in 1969. She died on May 3rd 1985.
Lil O’Grady:
Born in Sligo, Lil comes from a gaelic games family. Her father, Michael played football for Leitrim and was vice-chairman of the Sligo G. A.A. Board. Her sister, Jo, was a regular for Cork and Munster. As a player, Lil lined out with St. Aloysius School, Old Aloysians and the Cork Schools team, winning several championship medals. Much in demand as a referee, she officiated at the 1969 All-Ireland senior final.
A very efficient official, Lil served the Cork Camogie Board in several positions including chairperson and led Munster Council for twelve years. Ladylike, sincere and dedicated, Lil chaired meetings with complete impartially. She chaired Munster Colleges Council and was President of the All-Ireland Colleges Council. An employee of P.J. Carroll & Company throughout her working life, she married John O’Neill and resides in Ballinlough, Cork.
Rosina McManus:
A native of Kilkeel, Co. Down, Rosina McManus (nee Hughes) was elected President of the Camogie Association in 1968. She was a highly-respected official who made a massive contribution to the game under several headings. A pioneer in the area of coaching, she was instrumental in setting up the inaugural courses at Orangefield and Gormanston College. She learned the game at St. Louis, Kilkeel. Subsequently, she moved to Belfast to take up a position in the Northern Ireland Civil Service and made a huge contribution to her adopted county in camogie terms.
She organised the Ulster intermediate schools, coached the Antrim minors and served as President of the All-Ireland Colleges Council. She was appointed to the N. I. Sports Council and Cospóir. Rosina officiated at hundreds of matches including the 1980 All-Ireland senior final. Married to Fermanagh man, Frank McManus, Rosina was a great talker and could keep the party going for hours. She died on June, 17th 2008.
Nell McCarthy:
Nell was born into a hurling family in Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork. Her uncle, Jimmy ‘Major’ Kennedy, captained Cork to win the 1919 All-Ireland senior hurling title. Dan, her brother, wore the Cork jersey and her grand-nephew, Niall, won All-Ireland senior hurling medals in 2004 and 2005. Educated at South Presentation Convent, Cork, she headed to Dublin to join the civil service.
Nell joined Celtic and made it into a great club which challenged for honours every season. From 1952 to 1970, Nell chaired the Dublin County Board and always commanded respect. Best known for her coaching ability, she guided the great Dublin teams of the Fifties and Sixties. Adept at spotting talent and reading the game, she brought out the best in her players. Nell was elected President of the Camogie Association in 1971 but only served two years of her term of office. She made a huge contribution to the game. She died on February 18th 2009.
Nancy Murray:
Born Nancy Milligan, she served the Camogie Association in many capacities. She had a distinguished playing career with club and county, was a successful coach and referee and proved to be an administrator of the highest calibre. She was full-back on the Deirdre team that contested two All-Ireland club finals. Nancy was a member of the first Antrim side to capture the O’Duffy Cup in 1945 and played a leading role in retaining the title for the next two years.
She turned to coaching with great success and guided Antrim to All-Ireland victories in 1956 and 1967. A very capable referee, Nancy officiated at four All-Ireland senior finals. Elected President of the Camogie Association in 1973, Nancy was knowledgeable and experienced in camogie affairs. Married to Seán Murray, she had two sons, Donal and Seán. She died on May 16th 2004.
Agnes Purcell:
Born in Ballingarry, Co. Limerick, Agnes Hourigan, captained the Limerick team at the age of fifteen. She enrolled at U.C.D. and won four Ashbourne Cup medals. In 1938, she won an All-Ireland medal with Dublin. For many years Agnes supplied camogie copy to the national newspapers. Agnes has a long association with the U.C.D. camogie club; Leinster and All-Ireland Colleges; the C.C.I.A. and Leinster Council.
She was elected President of the Camogie Association in 1976 and spared no effort to promote the game. When her term of office was finished, she was persuaded to fill the role of treasurer. A kind and generous lady, she made her home at Kenilworth Park an open house where camogie folk enjoyed the best of hospitality. Married to Pádraig Purcell, the G.A.A. writer and historian, she died unexpectedly on November 25th 1983.
Mary Moran:
Born in Limerick, Mary moved to Cork with her family at the age of eleven. She had not seen camogie before enrolling at St. Aloysius School. She took to the game immediately and it became a lifetime addiction. As a player, Mary won Cork and Dublin championship medals with Old Aloysians and Celtic respectively. She collected an All-Ireland senior medal with Cork and was a member of the Celtic team that won the first All-Ireland club championship.
Mary chaired the Cork Camogie Board from 1968 to 1978 and coached Cork teams to win All-Ireland minor, junior and senior titles. She was elected President of the Camogie Association in 1979. Mary was secretary of Munster and All-Ireland Colleges’ Councils for thirty-two years and served as President of the All-Ireland Colleges’ Council. She also filled the roles of National Coach, National P.R.O., inter-county referee and Trustee. An avid collector of camogie material and memorabilia, she has built up a considerable stockpile over the past fifty years. She was employed by A.I.B.
Mary Fennelly:
Kilkenny lady, Mary Fennelly, comes from a strong gaelic games family. She was a first-cousin of All-Star hurlers, Liam and Ger Fennelly. John Fennelly, Mary’s father, chaired the Kilkenny Camogie Board while her sister, Bríd, played alongside her. Carrickshock was Mary’s first club but she moved to St. Paul’s and, later, to Celtic while working in Dublin.
Mary captained Kilkenny to win the All-Ireland senior championship in 1976 and finished her playing career with three All-Ireland senior; two All-Ireland club championship with St. Paul’s; two Gael-Linn with Leinster; Kilkenny and Dublin championship medals. She learned the ropes of administration as secretary of the Kilkenny County Board and Leinster Council and was elevated to President of the Camogie Association in 1982. She worked hard to improve the image camogie and was a strong advocate of the 15 a-side game.
Mary Lynch:
The first Monaghan lady to hold the prestigious office, Mary Lynch was elected President of the Camogie Association at the 1985 Congress in Ballinasloe. As Mary Kelly, she learned the basics of game at St. Louis, Carrickmacross. While she worked in the Office of the Land Commission in Dublin, she joined the Celtic club and claimed a midfield spot on the Dublin team that won the 1949 All-Ireland title.
On the occasion of her marriage to Willie Lynch, Mary returned to Carrickmacross. When family commitments allowed, she made a determined effort to revive the game in Co. Monaghan and place it on a sound footing. Mary chaired the Monaghan Camogie Board and Ulster Council. A well-known referee, she officiated at minor, junior and senior All-Ireland finals. She was a Trustee of the Camogie Association from 1994 to 2004. Anxious to help her community, Mary gave her time to the local Social Services, Care of the Aged and recreational organisations.
Máire Ní Cheallacháin:
A well-known and colourful character, Máire was elected President of the Camogie Association in 1988. Máire came from a republican background. Her uncle, Danny O’Callaghan, was executed for his part in the Dripsey ambush. As a player, she fielded with Lee Valley but joined Inniscarra when the club was formed in her parish. She chaired the Cork Camogie Board (1980-1985) and Munster Council (1985-1987) and was a member of successful Cork selection committees.
Máire’s interests stretched beyond camogie. She was an active member of the Gaelic League and a Cathaoirleach of Dáil na Mumhan. She had a lively interest in drama and was seen on stage many times. Debating, question times and the I.C.A. also captured her attention. Máire died on April 10th, 1992.
Brídín Uí Mhaolagáin:
Born in Dublin of Ulster parents, Brídín was educated at Scoil Mhuire, Dublin, St. Louis, Monaghan and U.C.D. Her father, Séamus Dobbyn, hurled for Antrim and was President of the Ulster G.A.A. Council. Brídín won five Ashbourne Cup medals with U.C.D. and captained the winning team of 1958. She has retained her links with the club in the capacity of President. Many years of work for third-level colleges was rewarded with the title of Uachtarán Saoil, Comhairle Camógaíochta Ard-Oideachais.
In 1991, Brídín was elected President of the Camogie Association. She has represented Ireland in both handball and racquetball and filled the role of President of the Ladies Handball Association. She has a great interest in drama and played the part of ‘Brigette’ in Rós na Rún on TG4. Brídín taught in Ballymun Comprehensive School. With her husband, Aidan, she shares an interest in the Special Olympics.
Belle O’Loughlin:
Belle Bannon from Home Avenue, Newry, developed her love and enthusiasm for camogie from Sister Mary de Sales at the Sacred Heart School. A member of St. Bridget’s camogie club, Belle attracted the attention of the Down selectors and made a significant contribution to the county’s success in the 1968 Ulster junior championship.
She married Arthur O’Loughlin and settled in Warrenpoint. She took a keen interest in the local St. Peter’s club, both as a player and coach. She immersed herself in camogie administration and served Down and Ulster in several positions. A highly-regarded referee, she officiated at the All-Ireland senior finals in 1982 and 1988. Belle was elected President of the Camogie Association in 1994. Belle’s other great love was tennis. She has 3 sons and 1 daughter.
Phyllis Breslin:
From a very young age, Phyllis Breslin has been involved in camogie. She followed family members to the Eoghan Ruadh club on Dublin’s northside. Starting with underage competitions and culminating with an All-Ireland club championship victory in 1967, Phyllis gave wonderful service to Eoghan Ruadh. She won an All-Ireland junior medal in 1975 and a national senior league medal with Dublin in 1979.
A firm and fair referee, she travelled the country with her whistle. She officiated at two All-Ireland senior and two All-Ireland junior finals. She chaired Leinster Council and was elected President of the Camogie Association in 1997. Phyllis continues to work for the Association in the roles of Trustee and Treasurer. An employee of the Irish Dairy Board for most of her working life, she is a keen photographer and golfer.
Pat Rafferty:
Pat Rafferty came to the post of President with a wealth of experience and knowledge of camogie affairs. She had served a long apprenticeship with the Dublin Junior Board, Dublin Senior Board and Leinster Council. Pat was elected President at Congress in Cookstown in 2000. Educated by the Irish Sisters of Charity at Mountjoy Street and Trinity College, she lined out with Eoghan Ruadh winning Dublin and All-Ireland club championship medals. A member of the successful Dublin junior team in 1971, she fielded with the Dublin senior team.
Later, Pat moved to County Fermanagh and immersed herself in camogie affairs. She holds the unique distinction of having served as provincial secretary in two different provinces, Leinster and Ulster. Pat worked as a librarian.
Miriam O’Callaghan:
Miriam O’Callaghan was the first Offaly lady to be elected President of the Camogie Association. A founder member of the Tullamore camogie club, she fielded for club and county. Elected as President in 2003, she presided over a hectic schedule of events in Centenary Year. A very capable official, Miriam served Offaly and Leinster in several positions. A much sought-after referee, she officiated at all levels including the All-Ireland senior finals of 1991 and 1993. Miriam acted as President of the All-Ireland Colleges Council for four years.
Interested in politics from a young age, Miriam has served her community in many capacities. She sat on the Tullamore Town Council, Offaly County Council, Offaly Sports Partnership and the Offaly VEC committee. Her excellent work for these bodies, together with her impressive leadership of the Camogie Association, was recognised when she was honoured with the Offaly Person of the Year in 2004. She is employed by the HSE as an administrator. Miriam resides in Tullamore with her husband, Liam and her two daughters.
Click here to watch Miriam’s interview as part of the Camogie Association celebrating International Women’s Day on 8th March 2022.
Liz Howard:
Liz Howard, the first Tipperary lady to hold the top post, was elected President of the Camogie Association in 2006. Born in Carrick-on-Suir to a family steeped in gaelic games tradition, it was no surprise that Liz grew up with a passion for camogie and hurling. Her father, Garrett, won All-Ireland senior hurling medals with both Limerick and Dublin. She moved to County Clare, where her parents set up the Feakle camogie club. In her playing days, Liz wore the colours of Feakle (Clare), Roscrea and Knockshegowna (Tipperary), Celtic and Phoenix (Dublin). She won a national senior league medal with Tipperary and an All-Ireland junior medal with Dublin.
Liz was appointed National PRO of the Camogie Association in 1979 but switched codes to fill a similar role with the Tipperary G.A.A. Board. Never shy to air her views, Liz was a hurling analyst on RTE and chaired ‘The Sunday Game’.
She returned to camogie and played a major part in the preparations for the Centenary celebrations. In 2006, she was elected President of the Camogie Association. Her efforts were rewarded with a Tipperary Personality of the Year award and the National Administrator of the Year award at the Volunteers in Irish Sport Awards in 2009. Liz continues her involvement in camogie administration in the role of trustee.
Click here to watch Liz’s interview as part of the Camogie Association celebrating International Women’s Day on 8th March 2022.
Joan O’Flynn:
A native of Ladysbridge, Co. Cork, Joan became the first President-Elect of the Camogie Association in 2008. She grew up in a gaelic games environment. Her father, Séamus Ó Floinn, was a well-known administrator with the Imokilly Divisional Board and the Cork G.A.A. Board. Joan joined Fr. O’Neill’s camogie club in Ballymacoda and helped them to win the Cork junior championship.
Joan was educated at St. Mary’s, Midleton, U.C.C. and U.C.D., graduating with a Masters Degree in Equality Studies. She worked with young Irish emigrants in London and for Combat Poverty in Dublin before becoming a civil servant in the Department of Community Equality and Gaeltacht affairs.
On her return from London, she settled in Celbridge and immersed herself in camogie administration at club, county and provincial levels. Joan documented the history of camogie in Kildare in her book ‘Soaring Sliothar’. She chaired the Strategic Plan committee which drew up plans to maximise the potential of the Association in a document entitled ‘Our Game, Our Passion’. Since stepping up to the position of President in 2009, Joan has worked hard to implement the many recommendations in the Strategic Plan. She resides in Celbridge, Co. Kildare.
Click here to watch Joan’s interview as part of the Camogie Association celebrating International Women’s Day on 8th March 2022.
Aileen Lawlor:
Aileen Lawlor assumed the office of President of the Camogie Association on March 31st 2012 at the Camogie Association Congress thus becoming the 28th President of the Association.
A native of Dublin, Aileen was a former All Ireland winning Camogie player securing honours with her club Crumlin in 1985, alongside her sisters Yvonne, Barbara and Ann. Following a move to Westmeath, Aileen began playing with St Munna’s and collected numerous senior championships between 1988 and 2006.
Aileen wass also a qualified referee, a role she took up at the tender age of 12. She took charge of the Senior All-Ireland Final between Tipperary and Cork in 2002 and the Junior All Ireland between Cork and Down in 2004. She has been involved at all administrative levels of the Association in the intervening years, serving on national, provincial and county committees.
A nurse by profession, Aileen lives in Westmeath with her husband and four children. She highlighted the areas of female referees, international Camogie communities and expanding the Camogie Association membership as key areas of priority during her three-year term.
Catherine Neary:
A Kilkenny native Catherine oversaw much progress within the Association during her term as the Association’s staff team grew as well as much progress in terms of attendance, sponsorship.
A new National Development Plan was launched during her term and significantly she led the push for a Memorandum of Understanding which was signed with the GAA prior to the end of her term which would see both Association’s aligning more closely together.
