Lil Kirby
| Lil Kirby, Éilís Ní Chiarbha | |
|---|---|
| 5th President of Camogie Association | |
|
In office 1942–1945 | |
| Succeeded by | Agnes Hennessy |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
24 January 1921 Carrigpeter, Model Farm Rd, County Cork |
| Died |
30 November 1987 (aged 66) Bandon, Ireland |
| Spouse(s) | David Crowley |
| Religion | Catholic |
Elizabeth ‘Lil’ Kirby (Éilís Ní Chiarbha) (1921–1987) was a camogie player who won six All Ireland medals and became fifth president of the Camogie Association.[1]
Early life
She was the daughter of DW Kirby and Carrigpeter, Model Farm Road, Cork. She went to University College Cork and played on Ashbourne Cup camogie teams, joined Sunday's Well swimming club (winning the ocean swim from Crosshaven to Ocean’s Point in 1940), Muskerry golf club, and became captain of her local Reserve Defence Forces during The Emergency. Members of Old Aloysians camogie club formed an archway of hurleys when she married David Crowley on April 18, 1941 in the Honan Chapel, University College Cork.[2]
Playing career
She won All Ireland medals at midfield in 1934, 1935, 1936, 1939, 1940 and 1941, when she captained the team. She also refereed the 1937 All Ireland final between Dublin and Galway. Her record of six All Ireland medals was not equalled until 1953 and not by a Cork player until Pat Maloney and Marion McCarthy both won their sixth medal in 1980.
Camogie President
While still a player she became chair of Cork camogie board in December 1938 and president of the Camogie Association in 1942 when both the Cork and Dublin county boards were under suspension by central council for a disagreement over the ban on playing hockey.
Later life
She became involved in the Irish Countrywoman’s Association and continued to play whist after her husband died in 1975.
References
- ↑ Moran, Mary (2011). A Game of Our Own: The History of Camogie. Dublin, Ireland: Cumann Camógaíochta. p. 460.
- ↑ Cork Exmainer April 18, 1942
External links
- Camogie.ie Official Camogie Association Website
- On The Ball Official Camogie Magazine Issue 1 and issue 2
- History of Camogie slideshow. presented by Cumann Camógaíochta Communications Committee at GAA Museum January 25, 2010 part one on YouTube, part two on YouTube, part three on YouTube and part four on YouTube
- Camogie on official GAA website
- Timeline: History of Camogie
- Camogie on GAA Oral History Project
- Cork camogie website: Cork