Wexford woman receives lifetime achievement award for her contribution to camogie
Margaret Leacy was named at wing back on the Camogie Team of the Century in 2004. From the Buffers Alley club, she won three All-Ireland senior titles with her county in 1968 and 1969 and then again in 1975. She is also the holder of 4 All-Ireland club titles, three with her home club and one with Eoghan Ruadh in Dublin while she played with them. She is also the holder of eight Gael Linn interprovincial medals and was selected as the Gaelic All Star Player of the Year in 1968.
Her daughters Mary and Úna also won the O'Duffy Cup with Wexford.
A representative on behalf of Oulart The Ballagh Club said they were thrilled that Margaret was being acknowledged for her role as a trailblazer.
"What a special day it was in Croke Park. Margaret Leacy, a legend in the game of Camogie, was awarded with the GPA Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her extraordinary contribution to camogie, her club, and county,' they said.
"Margaret has played a huge part of both Oulart - The Ballagh Camogie Club and Oulart - The Ballagh GAA Club. She has been hugely influential on our past and present players. She continued to be part of team management of all different age groups over the years. While also serving on both Camogie and GAA committees. We are forever grateful and appreciative of the years of hard work and dedication that Margaret has given to us as a club. Still to this day, Margaret is still in our pitch most evening watching and encouraging the next generation at games and trainings.'
"Well deserved Margaret and congrats from all at Oulart The Ballagh Camogie Club and Wexford Camogie,' they added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
39 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Tragic Irish athlete, 22, mourned after untimely death as club vow ‘you will always be remembered'
AWFUL TIME Tragic Irish athlete, 22, mourned after untimely death as club vow 'you will always be remembered' TRIBUTES have poured in for Irish athlete Oisin Cassidy since the 22-year-old's tragic death from cancer on Monday. Oisin has been remembered as a "talented and humble" young man who was well-known for his passion for running in his home county of Fermanagh. 2 Oisin Cassidy was a popular figure across the whole community of Derrylin Credit: Mark Kirk Running Facebook Group 2 He was a dedicated runner as well as Gaelic footballer Credit: His post describes how he died "peacefully, after a long illness surrounded by his heartbroken family". It adds: "Deeply regretted by his sorrowing mother, aunt, uncle, granddad, cousins and extended family circle." His funeral is to take place today, August 13 at St Ninnidh's Church in his hometown of Derrylin. Among the tributes paid to him since Monday's awful news broke, the Mark Kirk Running Group hailed him for being a "valuable member" of their training group. Their Facebook post read: "We have just heard today the very sad news of the death of Oisin Cassidy who was a valued member of the training group and one of the founder members of Candour Track Club. "'Cass' a master of fantasy football league will missed by all his teammates and running friends. Sincerest condolences to all his family circle." Furthermore, Rock Runners - who are a community-based run club in Derrylin - added a heartfelt tribute of their own. They reflected: "We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our dear friend, Oisin Cassidy this morning. "Oisin was an exceptionally talented runner, both locally and nationally, representing Athletics NI in international competitions. He was also a proud multiple time winner of our very own 5K race. "Throughout his illness, Oisin showed remarkable strength, dignity, and kindness. Inside Sharlene Mawdsley's 'delicious' yet atypical Tenerife holiday with GAA star boyfriend Mikey Breen "Even during his toughest days he thought of others allowing us to host the 5/10K Around the Rock event in his honour, raising an incredible amount for his chosen cancer charities. "But most of all we will remember Oisin as a kind inspirational young man who was highly respected in our community and we extend our deepest sympathy to his mum Veronica and all of the Cassidy family. Rest easy Oisin." Another local running club, OMG AC, wrote: "It is with much sadness that we learned today of the passing of Oisin Cassidy. Oisin was such a talented but humble young man. "He bore his illness with courage and not a complaint. We send all our love to Oisín's mum, Veronica Cassidy, and all his wider family circle and his friends. Oisin and all of you will always be remembered by OMG AC." GAA CLUB'S MEMORIES Throughout his childhood and adolescence he'd also represented the local GAA club who similarly paid their respects as the entire community came to terms with his life being cut short. Derrylin O'Connells hailed: "Our club is in shock and mourning at the tragic passing of Oisin Cassidy. "Oisin proudly represented our club at under age levels and was part of our Under 12 Division 1 league winning team in 2015. "Oisin a talented, humble and gifted athlete used his athletic prowess to occupy the midfield and wing half back positions in our teams. "Oisin would cover every blade of grass when he was on field, with surging runs his trademark. "Oisin had made a return to play with our senior team, unfortunately his diagnosis prevented him from playing with his friends. "He did however fulfil a vital role for our senior team last year by being our 'Stats man' a role he fulfilled with due diligence. "Our deepest condolences go out to Oisin's mother Veronica, the whole Cassidy family and Oisin's friends and teammates. "As a mark of respect all club activities will be postponed until after Oisin is laid to rest."
The Irish Sun
21 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Kerry GAA icon wants ‘boring' All-Ireland final tradition ditched in favour of US-inspired alternative
Pat Spillane's biggest irritant may be an unpopular opinion among GAA fans 'SCRAP IT' Kerry GAA icon wants 'boring' All-Ireland final tradition ditched in favour of US-inspired alternative THE whole off the field spectacle of an All-Ireland final has been slated by a Kerry GAA icon. Pat Spillane is not impressed with the GAA's efforts - or lack of effort - in building hype and excitement for finals. Advertisement 2 Spillane's Kerry were the most recent champions of the Sam Maguire Cup 2 The 69-year-old is unhappy with the GAA's efforts around All-Ireland final day The eight-time Sam Maguire Cup winner might know a thing or ten about All-Ireland final day. Spillane compares the occasion to the off-the-field thrill and excitement the NFL will bring to Dublin next month. The Pitsburgh Steelers are playing the Minnesota Vikings in Ireland's first ever NFL match in Croke Park and Spillane believes the NFL will make a tremendous effort to create a great atmosphere and buzz for the event. When writing in his Irish Independent column, the nine-time All-star wrote: 'Surely for the biggest day in the Gaelic football calendar, the GAA could do better?' Advertisement 'America's NFL will be here in a couple of months. They're going to take over Dublin for the week. "They're going to have street parties. They're going to have fan zones. They're going to have marching bands. 'Surely to God, when it comes to the All-Ireland senior football final and the All-Ireland senior hurling final, the GAA could up its game? Instead, it's a box-ticking exercise. They're going through the motions. 'As for the pre-match entertainment. Surely to God we can do better than wheeling out the Scór winners from a couple of counties? Advertisement 'Having the presentation of the jubilee team in front of a couple of thousand people is an embarrassment and an insult. Half-time entertainment leaves much to be desired." While Spillane has plenty of complaints of the match day experience, he singles out one irritant which particularly bores him. 'We air our dirty laundry' - RTE pundit doesn't pull any punches in cutting verdict of Mayo GAA county board The former RTÉ pundit added: 'And that brings me to the speeches. Speeches in total at the All-Ireland senior football final took nine minutes. Too much – just hand over the cup. Because nowadays, the speeches are scripted. "Speeches in total at the All-Ireland senior football final took nine minutes. Too much – just hand over the cup. Because nowadays, the speeches are scripted." Advertisement There have been a number of iconic All-Ireland acceptance speeches over the years. From Anthony Daly's 'there's been a missing person in Clare for 81 long years' speech in 1995 to Donegal's Anthony Molloy 1992 speech - 'Sam's for the hills.' There's been some great moments. But recently speeches have been brandished samey, boring or repetitive by a lot of spectators. On many occasions it has been just a very long thanking session from both the GAA president and the winning captain with nothing particularly notable being said. Advertisement Spillane blasted: "They're scripted by the GAA president. They're scripted for the captain. They're boring. They're repetitive. You have to thank everyone in the audience. "Let's scrap the speeches, hand over the cup and celebrate. The GAA can do it."
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Preparations begin for Waterford to host 2026 World GAA Games
The World GAA Council made the decision on the host city on Friday, August 1, following a shortlist of submissions from Waterford, Kerry and Derry. The five-day event will feature matches over four days at SETU Arena, West Campus, Carriganore, County Waterford from July 13 – 16, 2026, with the finals taking place on Friday, July 17 in the county ground at Walsh Park. The Waterford event will be the fifth staging of the World GAA Games since its inception in 2015. It is anticipated that upwards of 2,000 players will participate in the 100 or more football, hurling, camogie, and ladies football teams. The GAA World Games, first held in 2015, celebrate the global reach of Ireland's native games and the efforts of volunteers and players across more than 560 clubs established outside of Ireland. The confirmation that Waterford will host the 2026 World GAA Games has been welcomed by Sinn Féin TD for Waterford and party spokesperson on community development, Conor McGuinness. Deputy McGuinness said the decision represents a vote of confidence in the strength of Gaelic games in Waterford, the power of community sport, and the world-class facilities available across the city and county. 'This is a huge honour for Waterford and a proud day for everyone involved in our local GAA clubs and communities. The decision by the World GAA Council to award the 2026 Games to Waterford is a recognition of the talent, commitment and infrastructure we have here - and of the deep love of Gaelic games that runs through every parish in the county. 'This is not just a sporting event - it's a homecoming for our national games,' added Deputy McGuinness. 'The World Games are about identity, belonging, and the unifying power of sport. They bring together Irish communities abroad, international players, and volunteers who've built something extraordinary around Gaelic games in every corner of the world.' 'This announcement also speaks to the outstanding quality of Waterford's facilities and infrastructure – especially SETU Arena and the redeveloped Walsh Park – and to the strength of the local bid, which saw off high-calibre submissions from Kerry and Derry.' He added: 'This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Waterford – for our clubs, communities, and our children. I want to commend all those who made the bid a success.' SETU Arena is Waterford's and the south east's largest sport, fitness and events centre and will play a huge part in hosting the event. A spokesperson said that 'preparations are already underway to deliver an unforgettable experience for players, officials, and supporters from across the world'.
