Camogie News: The Camogie Association celebrated 100 years of existence on Saturday night when they announced their team of the century to a crowd of over 1,000 guests at the Citywest hotel in Dublin. The President of Cumann Camógaíochta Na nGael, Miriam O'Callaghan, and An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, presented the awards.
"I congratulate you on your centenary year and your significant contribution to sport in Ireland. I pay special tribute to the team of the century, all household names. You have carved a special niche in Irish sporting history," said Mr Ahern.
Twelve of the team were present at the banquet, which was hosted by Clare McNamara and Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh of RTÉ.
Corner forward Angela Downey-Browne from Kilkenny was unable to attend so another Kilkenny woman, Mary Fennelly, collected her award. Two of Dublin's finest ever players, Kathleen Mills-Hill and Sophie Brack, are deceased.
Special mention was given to Mills-Hill, who picked up a remarkable 15 All-Ireland medals spanning three decades (1940s to 1960s); her husband, George, has since provided a replica trophy of the O'Duffy Cup to be presented to the winning All-Ireland captain every year.
The county-by-county breakdown was: Dublin, Cork (four each), Kilkenny (three), Wexford (two), Antrim and Tipperary (one each).
Tipperary's Deirdre Hughes is the only player on the 15 still playing inter-county camogie but wing forward Linda Mellerick did win an All-Ireland with Cork as recently as 2002.
O'Callaghan said: "I congratulate the members of the team of the century. They span many decades and it is a supreme honour for those chosen. It is not an easy task to select such a team as there are so many wonderfully skilled players who graced and continue to grace the playing fields over the years."
She also thanked An Taoiseach for his presence and presented him with a framed print of the team.
The event was attended by a number of dignitaries, including Deirdre Heney, Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin; Seán Kelly, president of the GAA; past presidents of the Camogie Association; and relatives of the founding members.
The Camogie Association has a membership of approximately 90,000. Guests travelled from the USA, Europe and Britain to attend Saturday's function.
Just one person, who wishes to remain anonymous, selected the team. At least another two people also had input into the final selection but they wish to remain out of the limelight.
TEAM OF THE CENTURY: Eileen Duffy-O'Mahoney (Dublin); Liz Neary (Kilkenny), Marie Costine-O'Donovan (Cork), Mary Sinnott-Dinan (Wexford); Sandy Fitzgibbon (Cork), Bridie Martin-McGarry (Kilkenny), Margaret O'Leary-Leacy (Wexford); Maireád McAtamney-Magill (Antrim), Kathleen Mills-Hill (Dublin); Linda Mellerick (Cork), Pat Moloney-Lenihan (Cork), Una O'Connor (Dublin); Sophie Brack (Dublin), Deirdre Hughes (Tipperary), Angela Downey-Browne (Kilkenny).
