An LGFA award for ‘selfless’ Kathleen
Kathleen Kane, one of the driving forces of Ladies Football in Sligo, has been honoured by the LGFA
SLIGO Ladies Football legend Kathleen Kane says her involvement in the sport for almost three decades has been “a passion”. The St Nathy’s stalwart has been honoured by the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) for her tireless, diligent service to Ladies Football – at club, county, provincial and national level – and is the Hall of Fame award recipient in the LGFA Volunteer of the Year Awards for 2020.
In last Friday’s virtual awards ceremony, Kane told MC Dáithí Ó Sé about her delight at this recognition by the sport’s governing body. “When we started out in 1993 if you told me that I would still be involved – 28 years later – I would have thought that this wasn’t possible.”
“This award is totally humbling, it is a huge honour to get. I am very happy,” she said.
Kane, one of 10 award winners in a ceremony held in association with
currentaccount.ie, then thanked Olivia Flannery-McLoughlin for nominating her [Kane] for this prestigious award.
“Speaking on behalf of all the winners, we are standing on the shoulders of thousands and thousands of people all over the country and the world, who profile Ladies Football, and do similar work at a volunteer level.”
SELFLESS in everything she does. She gives total commitment to everything, she has a lot to give and has given a lot of her time, she had made many sacrifices over the years for Ladies Football. She would always be the one that we would turn to. She is the eldest of four girls. She is fantastic with our kids, her nieces and nephews. Her extended family are very proud of her achievements. When Ladies Football started here in the county she was at the forefront of it. After her years of playing she got involved in the administration side – she has worked with the club, been an official with the County Board, then with Connacht and at national level as well. She has always been very dedicated and committed.
It has always been about the development of the game, the promotion of the game and about the players.
Kathleen has got numerous awards for Ladies Football over the last number of years and we’ve been very proud
LGFA VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2020
Young Volunteer of the Year: Sandra O’Donoghue (Rosscarbery, Cork)
School Coach of the Year: Conor Maguire (Loreto, Cavan)
Club Coach of the Year: Colin Kenny (Naomh Ciaran, Offaly)
Local Journalist of the Year: Ian Cooney (Roscommon Herald)
PRO of the Year: Peter O’Leary (Cork LGFA)
Club Committee Officer of the Year: Helen Clarke (An Caisleán Glas agus Sperrin Óg, Tyrone)
County/Provincial Officer of the Year: Sinead Reel (Armagh LGFA)
International Volunteer of the Year: Clodagh Harris (RAK Ropairí, UAE)
Overall Volunteer of the Year: Mikey Hyland (Shanahoe, Laois)
Volunteer Hall of Fame: Kathleen Kane (St Nathy’s, Sligo)
The ceremony, which was streamed live on LGFA’s Facebook page, featured a collection of Sligo LGFA faces talking enthusiastically about Kane.
Along with a message from one of her sisters, Edel, there were recorded views from Susan Finan, Marty Duffy, Marie Clancy, Angela Doohan, Liam McDonagh and Anne Cunnane.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO KATHLEEN:
of her achievements. But this award is particularly special because it is an acknowledgement at national level. We, as a family, have seen the dedication, the highs and the lows. She always surrounded herself with wonderful people in the organisation.
SHE is very loyal, she is extremely supportive, she is very kind. She is always there for you. She is an absolute bible of knowledge when it comes to Ladies Football. She gives everything to the sport.” Ladies Football is in her heart and always has been. There is no doubt that Ladies Football is where it is today as a result of many volunteers but Kathleen has played a huge part in that.
DEDICATED and busy. Headstrong at times. Very enthusiastic about what she does, no matter what she takes on. She’s a very