The recent publication of a history of Maids of The Mountain Hockey Club entitled The Lilac Years contains a full chapter on an Irish Times hockey correspondent. Not the silken-fingered Mary Hannigan, but the larger than life figure of Vera McWeeney.

The former hockey and tennis international left her mark where ever she travelled, not least of all in Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club.

Feminists fondly recall her no-nonsense stance when faced with the problem of getting to a match she was covering, which was taking place on a court on the other side of the club.

Taking a short cut through the lockerroom of the then male bastion, she was stopped by a horrified steward who was robustly informed that if anyone complained they were to be told she had seen better elsewhere. No doubt.