Ladies to the Fore
In 1999 the 7-a-side moved from its spiritual home in the ‘Áras’ pitch to the club’s home ground in Woodlawn. At the time people thought that the 7-a-side would come to an end as a result of the move, but the tournament continued to thrive. Huge credit is due to the many volunteers who helped organise the tournament in its new home and subsequently served on the club’s committee. As well as providing two pitches for matches, the Woodlawn venue also provided a clubhouse facility for the 2002 event, where the shop became the main organisational hub of the tournament.
Lorraine Fleming
Lorraine followed in her father Toni Fleming’s footsteps and took up an officer position in the club in 2010. She is always available to play her part as best she can. She has contributed handsomely in areas including assistant treasurer. Lorraine displays an admirable work ethic and efficiency in carrying out her responsibilities when fundraising, organising club merchandise and in a variety of roles at the 7-a-side, most recently taking responsibility for the running of the shop. In her own words: “I first joined Killarney Athletic in 2009, helping in the shop at the Annual 7-A-Side Tournament and at other club events. It was always a family affair for us.
Don O’ Donoghue was chairman at the time and Colette Casey was Secretary. When Don retired from the chair Tom Tobin then became chairman and that's when I became a committee member.
My role in the committee was Fundraising Officer. The first event I helped organise was a very successful fashion show. To date I still organise our Annual Quiz Night, which is still a huge success. Other events which I'm involved in running are our Annual Race Night, street and church collections.
In 2012, I took up the position of Assistant Treasurer to Basil Sheerin. It was in this year I undertook the biggest Fundraising challenge to date which was our 300 member club draw. As a result of my hard work, dedication and the contribution I gave in making this our most successful fundraiser to date, the club gave me the honour of becoming Club person of the Year 2013. I also make a huge contribution in the running of the Annual 7-A-Side Tournament i.e. running the shop, gate, annual BBQ and any other jobs that need doing. I started out in the club just lending a helping hand which lead me to become a committee member, with this came great responsibility in the day-to-day running of the club.
Without people like us volunteering our club gates would not be open. I would encourage anyone who does have a little time to give, to get involved in what is a very rewarding job.
I would like to wish Killarney Athletic a very happy 50th Anniversary and here's hoping to another 50 more!
Lorraine Fleming
Mary McCarrick
Mary joined the club committee in 2002 when her two boys Joseph and James played for Athletic. Mary has spent 13 years at the helm of the club’s public relations and has done a fantastic job in giving a voice to the many activities taking place within the club. Mary is best described as always being very positive, available and willing to tackle all the jobs at hand while managing to gather and compile the bits and pieces in the club’s activities on a weekly if not daily basis, all year round.
She has contributed significantly to the club’s fundraising initiatives and will still be involved despite recently passing on the baton to Alan Daly who is also following on a family line of dedication to the club. Joe Daly is the present Vice Chairman of the club and Theresa, Louise and Laura also deserve mention for their assistance in club activities.
Colette Casey
Colette’s first active involvement with the club started in 2004 when she volunteered to help out with the organisation of a street collection for the schoolboys/girls teams. Her interest came through her son David’s involvement who was a very talented underage player with the club. But it would also be fair to say that her family ties with the club meant that she was never too far from hearing about Killarney Athletic in the Casey household. Her brother Vince would be on the shortlist of the club’s greatest contributors while her late father Paddy RIP always kept the best interests of the club to the fore while involved with the Áras Phádraig committee group. As well as serving as Child Welfare Officer she recalls taking over the secretary position from Tom Tobin when Tom became Chairman of the club in 2010. “I was approached to take over as secretary and I was greatly honoured to accept. With this position I was involved with underage and senior teams and management from all around the county and outside. I made many friends within my time as secretary which lasted 3 years. I also helped out with the finances and fundraising within the Club.” Highly organised and dedicated by nature, Colette’s contribution to the organisation and running of the 7-a-side over the past number of years cannot be overstated. Colette, along with her sister Deirdre, are also to be highly praised for the organisation of the club’s annual Barbeque and family days.
On the playing front, Eilis Loughrey deserves credit for her contribution as a coach with some of the girls’ teams in 2007/08. In echoing Marie Moynihan’s involvement, she brought an extra dimension to the organisation of soccer for the girls in the club at the time.
All in all, the club is very proud of the contribution of its female members to date. There are too many people to mention and this is merely a snapshot, but matches, events and day-to-day activities simply could not be run without the input of those who have contributed, in whatever way. We look forward to your continued dedicated involvement into the future.
Without people like us volunteering our club gates would not be open.
Lorraine Fleming