Clare girls celebrate All-Ireland success

CURRENT Wicklow and former Kerry manager Mick O’Dwyer presented the Clare lady footballers with their All-Ireland intermediate medals at the Armada Hotel in Spanish Point last Friday night.

O’Dwyer, who guided Kerry to eight All-Ireland titles and won four as a player, spoke to the Clare panel before they played the All-Ireland final on September 27.
In his address to the 200 strong gathering last Friday, the Waterville man said that his main recollection of his first meeting with the Clare panel was the level of camaraderie he witnessed.
While O’Dwyer was the special guest, ladies’ football county board chairman Johnny Hayes, Clare GAA chairman Michael O’Neill, Councillor Oliver Garry, outgoing manager Deirdre Murphy and Clare captain Louise Henchy were amongst those who also addressed the gathering.
Deirdre Murphy thanked theteam for their efforts during her four years at the helm, while Louise Henchy spoke of the pride and unity evident within the panel.
She said the squad couldn’t believe the response to their win as evidenced by the number of requests the panel have had for visits to schools and club socials in recent months.
The successful management team of Deirdre Murphy, David O’Brien, Dan Sheedy and Joe Garry were presented with mementoes as was team physiotherapist Edel Maher, who also performed a traditional dancing routine.
David O’Brien put together a 10-minute DVD highlights package which was shown on a big screen.
Following the presentation of medals to the All-Ireland winners, Mick O’Dwyer was besieged by dozens of females, who were seeking to have their photograph taken with the 73-year-old Kerry man.