Pauline Devlin
It was with immense shock and sadness that the camogie fraternity throughout County Monaghan and further afield heard of the sudden and untimely death of the late Pauline Devlin. Pauline was indeed a great sportsperson and an inspiration to everyone who knew her. She will be remembered by all camógs as someone who always had a smile on her face and a joke on her lips. Pauline was loved by all who knew her.
Pauline undoubtedly got her love for camogie when, as a child, she spent endless hours “pucking about” with the Toome Senior team until their disbandment in 1977. In 1980, at the tender age of 16, Pauline became a member of Castleblayney Camogie Club and over the following 18 years her presence had a profound impact on the club. In her role as full –forward, Pauline was a formidable opponent instilling fear into every full-back and goalkeeper who encountered her skill and powerful accuracy and on many occasions her Castleblayney team-mates were glad Pauline was wearing a blue jersey. Pauline was the very proud holder of 10 Monaghan Senior Championship Medals, as well as countless Monaghan League, Shield and Blitz medals which she won while playing with Castleblayney.
Pauline also had a very illustrious playing career with Monaghan County team and her dedication and commitment to her county was just as strong as that given to her club. With her jovial and cheerful personality, Pauline could always be depended upon to lighten the mood in the dressing room and create a bond between players from every club. Throughout her entire playing career, Pauline gained the love and respect of all camogie players, mentors, referees and officials but those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear and so it is with Pauline, she will be missed but never forgotten.
A large number of Pauline’s former team-mates from Castleblayney and Monaghan County teams as well as former opponents and acquaintances from camogie paid their respects to Pauline at her house and at her funeral mass. This was true testament to the high regard and esteem in which Pauline was held by camógs throughout the county and far beyond.
Pauline, you fell asleep without goodbye,
But memories of you will never die.
In God’s care you rest above,
In our hearts you rest with love.
A cluster of memories sprinkled with tears,
Wishing God had spared you a few more years.
Tenderly we treasure the past,
With memories that will always last.
Never selfish, always loving and kind,
These are memories you leave behind.
Ours is just a simple prayer,
God bless and keep you in His care.
May you find comfort in the hands of angels Pauline.
By Mary Murphy
U16 Participation Blitz
Ulster Camogie invites all secondary schools to attend an U16 schools blitz in Monaghan Centre of Excellence, Cloghan on Friday 11th April. The event is open to all secondary schools, and the aim is to provide girls the opportunity to participate in ‘FUN’ centred camogie blitz.
The blitz will run as 9/11/13/15 a-side blitz depending on numbers.
Registration for the blitz is 10:30am and starting at 11am.
Girls are advised to bring lunch.
If your school is interested in attending please contact Lisa McAliskey 07825855717 or by emailing lisa@camogie.ie
New President elect
Catherine Neary is the new President Elect of the Camogie Association, defeating Kathleen Woods of Armagh by one vote in this year’s election at the Camogie Association Congress which was held in the Armagh City Hotel on the weekend of March 24th.
Neary, a native of Kilkenny won on a count of 56 votes to 55 and will assume office at Congress 2015. A former Leinster and Kilkenny Camogie Chairperson, Catherine currently sits on the Association’s National Competitions Management Fixtures Committee and Leinster Fixtures Committee.
Camogie Association delegates also voted unanimously to commence negotiations with the GAA and LGFA on the One Association model.
The motion on the One Association model, which proposes to create a single structure for the promotion and management of all Gaelic Games within one organisation, has already been approved by GAA and LGFA Congress delegates respectively.
Speaking at Congress President of the Camogie Association Aileen Lawlor said:
“The decision by delegates to enter into negotiations with the GAA and LGFA for One Association is a very positive and progressive step. We appreciate that there will be a huge amount to discuss and to work through, but for now, the first steps have been taken and we are looking forward to the next stage of developments.
It is a very exciting time as we celebrate our 110th birthday this year and it is pleasing to reflect on a decade of growth. We look to the future with optimism and also to the opportunities that lie ahead for Camogie.”
Sympathy
The County Camogie Board wish to extend their sincere sympathy with the family of Pauline Devlin, former County Camogie Player and also to the Kieran family, Drumboat, Inniskeen on the death of Paddy Kierans, father of former County camogie players Isobel and Edel also to Olive and Yvonne Ár Dheis Dé go raibh a n’anamacha dílis.
By Majella Boyd Wed 9th Apr
