O’Rourke steps down as Wicklow ladies boss
Wicklow boss calls it a day
WICKLOW ladies manager Mick O’Rourke stepped down from his role last week.
His retirement brings to an end a memorable and successful and progressive period in ladies football in Wicklow and he will be sorely missed from the role.
O’Rourke announced his decision on Facebook last week.
‘As our year came to an end in the All-Ireland quarter final v Sligo, I just wanted to thank the following people as I hang up my management boots.
‘To Bill Hill, Alan D’Ship Nolan (Garden County Sport), Wicklow Ladies Football and Brendan Lawrence of the Wicklow People, thank you for all your help on promoting Wicklow Ladies Football, you have helped so much to highlight all the hard work this squad put in.
‘To Sandra O’Shaugnessy and David Moran in Ballinakill Centre of Excellence, thank you for putting in so much effort to accommodate us.
‘To Wicklow Ladies County Board for all your support in setting up a professional structure especially to our best supporter Mags Allen.
‘To our Leinster President Dominic Leech thank you for all your help and support over the last two years.
‘To our sponsors in 2017, The Parkview Hotel, and to this year’s sponsor, Bill Walsh of Aspire Technology, you have helped promote Ladies football by having the girls look professional in their gear and assisting towards other costs to assist in bringing ladies football to a higher level.
‘To our loyal supporters who travelled all over the country supporting us, you helped get us over the finish line on so many occasions, we can never repay you.
‘Shay Dunne our strength and conditioning coach, stats and analysis man (and Josh) thank you for bringing the girls to a new level and for being so professional in everything you have done. Our physio Clare Pierce, you were respected by management and players as you were so good at what you do and always let player welfare come first.
‘All the squad members over the last two years, you have given so much to the county jersey, made huge sacrifices, wore your jersey with pride and delivered so many great memories, it was an absolute pleasure to be involved with such a great group of players.
‘The management team of Caitriona Mckeon, Emer Miley and Mick Kavanagh, you gave everything to the county team and every decision you made was for the good of the team, I am very proud that I got the opportunity to work with the three of you.
‘To my amazing wife Chrissie Shortt thank you for all your support over the last two years and blessing us with two amazing kids, Millie and Benji. All the time I spent at football admin, training and matches you backed me the whole way and of course with your wealth of football knowledge were able to help and question some of my decision making.
‘So the time has come for me to hang up my management boots, if I have left anyone out I apologise,’ he wrote.
O’Rourke will be remembered for his intelligence, his player management skills, his honesty, integrity and his openess.
There are few managers within the borders of this county who are so open to the media or who understand the value of such openess and from this newspaper’s point of view it was always a pleasure to deal with Mick O’Rourke and everyone connected with the ladies camp during his reign.
As well as the the progression on and off the field in terms of footballing success and preparation, Mick O’Rourke was also extremely conscious of the need to raise the profile of ladies football in Wicklow.
His final comment from his announcement is further evidence of the passion and desire he feels for Wicklow ladies football to be held in much higher esteem.
‘Finally, I ask one favour: can Wicklow County Board please erect some pictures in the Centre of Excellence in Ballinakill of our ladies football teams and camogie teams that have had success past and present?’