With optimism
way that is humanely possible.
A long and enjoyable career in the Wicklow jersey was also achieved by Cathy Forde, with a league title being the highlights in terms of success.
A career in coaching in the schools of Wicklow followed. 19 years Cathy spent trying to pass on her knowledge of the games of camogie and football, trying to instill in her students the passion and the pride for their clubs and county and for the games.
She guided the Wicklow Minor footballers to an All-Ireland final where they succumbed to Armagh in 2011.
Eight of Cathy’s Minors went on to help Wicklow claim the All-Ireland Junior football crown that same year when they defeated New York in Croke Park. Names such as Lucy Mulhall and Jackie Kinch are just two that benefited from the tutelage of Cathy Forde.
As well as coaching, Cathy has enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a referee at club and county level, with Leinster finals being the highlights for the Wicklow resident, while manning the lines in the All-Ireland deciders is a role she takes immense pleasure from, with last year’s showcase being one of the best experiences of her life in terms of women’s sports in Ireland.
Like every aspect of life, Cathy feels that there is room for im- provement in how women’s sports are protrayed and publicised and supported.
She feels that massive improvements have been made across the board, with last year’s All-Ireland final, with a crowd of 46,500 swelling Croke Park being one of the best days she has ever witnessed in ladies football.
“To see that crowd, to see the top section of Croke Park opened (for the ladies final), that’s never opened, the attendance was amazing from everyone’s point of view, and now it’s starting to draw major advertisers with Lidl and the likes and the support is growing,” said Cathy, who incidentally was on the line for that All-Ireland final.
One issue in terms of women’s sport, particularly ladies football and camogie, is the lack of recognition and coverage they get for their efforts.
Cathy feels that the women pursuing their sporting dreams are giving as much time and effort as any man, but she feels they rarely get the recognition they deserve, believing that a woman or women’s team would have to do something exceptional to get the coverage or recognition a man or man’s team would.
“If you go out to play a match and you’re a young girl of 14 or 16, just to see your name in the paper, to read about you playing well, that’s the encouragement that is needed,” she added.
Referee has given Cathy Forde immense pleasure and achievement over the years since she took up the whistle and provided her with a means to stay in sport after retiring from playing.
“I would encourage everyone to give it a try when they are finished playing. I thought I was going to be finished with sport, but (as a referee) I’ve had four or five trips to Dubai, Philadelphia, and Manchester and all over Ireland. This is a fantastic sport to be involved in, it takes you places you wouldn’t dream of,” she said.
Cathy says that she has never encountered negativity during her time as coach or referee, nor has she ever experienced sexism. She says that she has always been accepted in Wicklow and beyond and there has never been any issues.
Overall, Cathy says that sport for women is improving but that the recognition and coverage could be better. She also feels that in terms of mental health and friendships, there is no better place than a sporting field or club or arena.
“For mental health sport in general is excellent, and fitness and socialising, it’s always good for women to be involved in sport. The friends you make, whether you’re playing or refereeing, are amazing. I have friends in every corner of Ireland,” she said.