A year to celebrate

Wicklow ladies reflect on super 2018

WICKLOW Ladies Intermediate squad had a wonderful night last Friday celebrating the successes of the past year.

The celebrations commenced with a meal in The Wicklow Heather and then adjourned to the pleasant surroundings of Lynham’s Hotel in Laragh.

There, surrounded by supporters, parents and friends the presentations were held. Mick O’Rourke was the genial MC and having congratulated the girls and his management he welcomed everyone to the presentation with special emphasis on the Wicklow County Board including Margaret, Jean and Louise Allen (county treasurer) along with county secretary Bernie Byrne along with the Leinster LGFA President Dominic Leech.

Mick stated how proud he was of the entire panel, the management of Mick Kavanagh, Emer Miley, Caitriona McKeon together with Shay Dunne and Clare Pierce.

Jean Allen, the Wicklow Ladies chairperson was invited to present the winners medals for the Lidl National Football League. She thanked all the squad and management together with their wonderful sponsor Bill Walsh whose company Aspire Technology were such a great help to the squad.

She then invited Margaret Allen, Wicklow LGFA President, who had been one of the team’s best supporters throughout the year to speak on behalf of the county board.

Again, she recounted many of the year’s highlights and how proud she was of the girls and their deserved success.

A presentation was made by the county board to the management of the team for their efforts on behalf of the county.

She also complimented the county treasurer Louise Allen on her fine work to look after the team and the finances during the year.

The team’s sponsor, Bill Walsh, stepped forward to present the Leinster Intermediate championship runners up medals.

Following the presentation of the medals the current Leinster LGFA President, Dominic Leech, was thanked for all his help during 2018 and asked to say a few words on behalf of himself and the Province.

Dominic spoke of the success of the team and how proud he was at the Lidl National Football League final when Sarah Hogan lifted the cup for the Garden County.

Then, when they qualified for the Leinster Intermediate Final, how again he so was proud of the squad in their magnificent effort to take the Leinster crown before finally going down to Laois and how close they were to Sligo in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

He also thanked and congratulated Jackie Kinch, Sarah Hogan, Sarah Miley and Claire Walsh who were part of the successful Leinster Interprovincial team who won the Interprovincial shield and wished Lorna and Laurie all the best next Saturday with Foxrock Cabinteely.

The Wicklow Ladies county board then then made a presentation to Mick and the team management before Mick, who sponsors the Player’s Player of the Year award each year, introduced the award and spoke about how the team are so close to a breakthrough and that they can certainly do it in the near future. Before presenting the award, he first presented Bill Walsh with a team jersey signed by the squad and hoped that he would display it with pride at his company’s office.

He then spoke of the efforts made by Lorna Fusciardi and how quickly she had returned to the squad following the birth of her daughter Harley and had played so well throughout the year.

She certainly was a worthy recipient of the accolade of the Players player of the Year award and Lorna accepted her award with a pleasant ‘thank you’ speech.

The last presentation was by the players to the management with their thanks.

Finally, everyone wished Lorna and Laurie Ahern the best of luck as they play in the All-Ireland Club final next weekend with Foxrock Cabinteely.

The evening then continued with drinks and socialising.