Gaelic Games

‘The time is right’ - Cork’s Valerie Mulcahy retires

Confirmed: ‘I’ve achieved everything I’ve wanted. I’m lucky to be in that position’

Cork will be without the considerable talents of Valerie Mulcahy this summer and beyond. Photograph: Inpho
Mary White
Mon Apr 11 2016 - 20:39

Cork's most prolific forward, Valerie Mulcahy, has confirmed her retirement after months of speculation.

Having been named MVP in three All-Ireland finals, the 33-year-old bows out of the game at intercounty level having won a total of 31 senior titles, including nine Division One NFL titles, 10 Munster Senior Championship medals, a Jim Kennedy Cup title and a Division Two NFL medal.

The Rockbán forward revealed that it was time to step aside after playing at the highest level for almost 15 years.

“The time is right. I’ve achieved everything I’ve wanted. I’m lucky to be in that position. It’s a nice opportunity to do other things now,” said Mulcahy.

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“My motivation isn’t where it used to be, and I knew going into last year’s All-Ireland final that it would be my last. I savoured that moment and stayed on the pitch for as long as I could because I knew I’d never be back there like that again.”

A PE teacher in Gaelcoláiste Mhuire in Cork city, Mulcahy is an executive member of the Women’s Gaelic Players’ Association (WGPA), and has been instrumental in the association’s progression in its first year in operation. Her time now will be spent promoting the WGPA’s efforts and improving player welfare for both intercounty ladies footballers and camogie players. She will also continue to play junior football with her club Rockbán, train the Gaelcholáiste Mhuire ladies football team, and spend time with her wife, Meg Blyth, whom she married last summer.

“We’re looking forward to doing a bit of travelling around Ireland and we might do the Ring of Kerry, and eventually go away on honeymoon too!”.

Having been one of the longest serving players during Eamonn Ryan’s reign from 2004 to 2012, members of the 2016 panel and backroom team attempted to rope Mulcahy back into the set-up this season, but to no avail.

“I don’t miss it yet, but I do think I’ll get an itch in the height of the summer when the evenings are long. But, from speaking to the girls, they’re very impressed with Ephie (Fitzgerald), and it’ll be great to see players step up to the plate.

“But, I had a great time. I met loads of great people along the way and was very fortunate to be involved in the team we had. The players were fully committed and we had a management who were always behind us. We were a very motivated group who got really close from just training a lot, having the craic and bonding over a common goal.

“I’ve enjoyed it all, but it’s time to move on,” added Mulcahy, who played her last game as a Cork representative in the All-Star tour exhibition game last month in Toreno Stadium, San Diego.

Chairperson of the Women’s Gaelic Players’ Association (WGPA), Aoife Lane, led the way in tributes upon Mulcahy announcing her retirement.

“Valerie has left an incredible legacy as a ladies footballer, but her value extends way beyond the pitch. From a WGPA perspective, she led our movement right from the outset and stepped forward as a supporter of a players’ voice.

“Her own journey showed us that a player is also a person who faces challenges like any other and who sometimes needs help in their day-to-day life. This helped to vindicate our support line and also our focus on the personal and professional development of WGPA members.

“Valerie is a fantastic role model for young people and will be a brilliant ambassador for us as we move more into this space with organisations like Headstrong. Personally, a highlight of the WGPA has been getting to know Val and the other five players who have led the way for camogie and ladies football. She is great company, great fun and is always her own person, and the WGPA and I will be backing her in all that lies ahead,” Lane added.