[caption id="attachment_67787" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Emma Clarke will be among the players honored at the Westchester Manor on Nov. 19."]
The New York Ladies GAA hold their annual dinner dance at the Westchester Manor, 140 Saw Mill River Rd. Yonkers on Nov. 19. It is fitting on this the 20th anniversary of the Big Apple association that one of the founding members is the guest of honor, namely Mary Murphy.
Mary was born in the Bronx, the eldest of seven children to Sonny (RIP) and Sheila, her father hailed from Shrule, Co. Mayo and her mother is a native of Waterville, Co. Kerry. She began her education at St. Nicholas of Tolentine but in 1970 the family relocated to Mayo. Here Mary continued her education at Gortjordan N.S., the same school her father attended. Mary's athletic skills began to flourish and she won the battle of the sexes when she was declared "Athlete of the Year" in 6th class. She continued her education at the Presentation Convent in Headford where she maximized her involvement in a very extensive array of physical activities so as to minimize time in the study hall.
Upon graduation Mary went to work in Galway where she also became deeply involved in youth and social movements. However in 1987 she returned to New York where she linked up with Marti Devanney, another pioneer in women's sports. Soon the pair of ladies had a thriving Ladies soccer league up and running out of the Roaring Twenties in Bainbridge. Then in 1991 Marti, Mary, Rosie Terry Connaughton and a few others spearheaded the founding of the New York Ladies GAA. Initially Mary acted as the PRO for the newly formed association but her early involvement was constrained when she had to fight another battle, namely breast cancer.
Once good health was regained the ever busy Mary joined the Fermanagh Club, and she has fulfilled a variety of roles with gusto over the years. In 2005 she became involved in setting up Gaelic4Girls along with Nollaig Cleary and Pauline Boylan. In addition Mary has been very much involved in the organization of the CYC since its inception. She continues to keep her pioneering spirit to the fore as Chairperson of the St. Brigid's Club, which is the only all-female football and camogie club on the eastern seaboard. Currently the club boasts a membership of over 200 girls ranging from u-6 to u-18.
In the Big Apple, Mary has not limited herself to just the promotion of ladies football as she has also been involved with the men's association. She was delegate for the Four Provinces while they played in New York plus she is also the current Registrar of the Board. Indeed Mary has been deeply involved in all facets of the Board, from chairing various committees to organizing dinner dances. She has recently moved to Philadelphia to join Donal, ah that love for the Four Provinces really paid off. However she is adamant that distance will not lessen her interest or enthusiasm for Gaelic events in the Big Apple. So on this historic occasion it is fitting that the Ladies honor a pioneer but also one who has continued to cherish the game of life.
Pauline O'Connor, the Colette Horkan honoree
Pauline, a native of Crosserlough, Co. Cavan is one of ten children, nine girls and one boy born to John and Teresa Lynch. Growing up in Crosserlough, a dynasty in Cavan football in the sixties as they won seven championships in a row, it was natural that Pauline would be infused with a great tradition, especially since her father one of the kingpins of Breffni football.
Besides furthering her education at the St. Claire's Convent, Ballyjamesduff, Pauline perfected her footballing skills. In 1979 she won an intermediate title with her club and soon made the ranks of the Cavan u-16, u-18 and senior teams. Cavan seniors enjoyed great success in these years though Pauline was unlucky to be part of the 1980 and 1981 teams that lost All-Ireland finals.
In 1984 she arrived in New York and soon learned where the hot spots were. It was in the Archway Inn on Jerome Ave, a kind of Studio 54 for Irish people, that she met her future husband, Connie O'Connor from Castleisland, Co.Kerry. Naturally they had much in common as both came from areas that were bastions of Gaelic games.
Marriage and the arrival of her son Brian restrained her sporting career for just a short while. Once the Ladies Association was organized, Pauline declared for Kerry, Connie must have used his considerable influence to pry her away from Cavan. Meanwhile Kerry had a modicum of success as they won the Louis O'Hehir cup on 1997 and 1998 with Pauline as captain.
In 2000 the O'Connor family moved to Pearl River and Pauline joined the Rockland club. Success soon followed as the Rockland Ladies won the Connaughton Cup that year. She continued to juggle family life, work and playing until a painful injury forced her to finally hang up the boots in 2006.
In the final of the Connaughton Cup, Pauline raced off her goal line in a brave attempt to stop a Fermanagh forward from scoring, the ball was stopped but the forward was sent airborne resulting in a penalty and unfortunately a broken collar bone for the keeper. Incidentally I was supposedly the heartless referee who awarded the penalty. Meanwhile Pauline continues to be very much involved coaching with the Rockland Club, and helped them to another Connaughton Cup in 2007. She is a great role model for the younger players as she continually urges them to stay active and to stay with the game.
Cathriona Brady, Player of the Year
Cathriona is the youngest of four children born to Pat and Peggy Brady, natives of Aghabog, Co. Monaghan. Cathriona came from a strong sporting background as her father was a rock solid club player with the Aghabob Club while her mother grew up in Mullahoran, Co. Cavan, an area that was legendary for its physical brand of football. Cathriona started her playing career competitively at eight and continued to play co-ed until she was u-14. She became a very influential player on a team that won a raft of championships all the way from u-14 to senior level.
With the Aghabog Club, Cathriona won five Monaghan senior championships plus two Ulster titles. She has represented Monaghan at all levels with winning back to back All-Irelands the most notable achievement. She was on the losing side on three occasions so she is no stranger to Croke Park. Her array of awards also includes a minor All-Ireland plus several Ulster medals at under age levels. In addition she holds an Interprovincial medal, an All-Ireland Schools title, two Division One National Leagues, Ulster Intervarsity awards plus an Irish Combined All-Star as part of her very impressive footballing accolades. Overall she represented Monaghan at the highest level with distinction for over twelve years.
In 2009 she moved to New York to join her boyfriend Brendan Duffy, aka Bonnie, a long time serving stalwart with the Monaghan Club in the Big Apple. Since then Cathriona has become a key player with the Kerry/Donegal team winning two Peter Connaughton Cup medals in the interim. This year she joined the New York Ladies County squad and her drive, discipline and determination were infectious. Her performances from center-back in the junior All-Ireland series were inspirational as she drove forward repeatedly to rally her teammates. Cathriona is certainly very deserving of this award as she fought off some very tough competition from her fellow players
In addition there will be several other awards presented at the dinner dance. Cavan once again return to the victor's circle from their sabbatical to be crowned with the Sean Faherty Cup for winning the championship plus the Louis O'Hehir Cup for winning the league. I'm sure these awards will give the new bride and current Chairperson, Rosie an extra flourish and the incentive to stave off retirement for another year. Na Fianna has to settle for the Annie Kearney Cup this tear while Kerry/Donegal will be hoisting the Peter Connaughton Cup.
This year the Ladies have dispensed with their annual All-Star awards and replaced them with a player of the year being chosen from each team. The following players will be honored Tracy-Anne McCullugh (Fermanagh), Jesse Garcia (Na Fianna), Cathriona Brady (Kerry/Donegal), Emma Clarke (Cavan) and Courtney Traynor (Rockland). Incidentally Clarke has been nominated for an All-Star award for the junior selection in Ireland. The awards will be a double affair for Courtney, she will also be presented with the young player of the year award as well. This certainly was an exciting year for this very promising player which culminated with being selected to play in Croke Park on the County team. The youth development programs appear to be working well, especially since two American born players have been named as their club player of the year, namely Jesse Garcia and Courtney. In addition the MVP's from the various finals will be announced at the dance. The winning teams from the CYC, the Feile team plus the New York Ladies team that came so close to winning an All-Ireland will also be recognized.
So on the 19th come dressed for action as the sartorial splendor will consist of an ensemble of Christian Loubton and Jimmy Choo shoes coupled with designs from Vera Wang, Armani and Versace while the sweats, the cleats and O'Neill's gear will get a well-deserved rest.
See you on the dance floor.
