Lil Kirby

Elizabeth ‘Lil’ Kirby (Irish: Éilís Ní Chiarbha; 1921–1987)[1] was a camogie player who won six All Ireland medals and became fifth president of the Camogie Association.[2]

Lil Kirby, Éilís Ní Chiarbha
Kirby in 1937 as UCC captain
5th President of the Camogie Association
In office
1942–1945
Succeeded byAgnes Hennessy
Personal details
Born(1921-01-24)24 January 1921
Cork, Ireland
Died30 November 1987(1987-11-30) (aged 66)
Bandon, Ireland
Spouse(s)David Crowley[1]

Early life

She was the daughter of DW Kirby of Carrigpeter, Bishopstown Park, Model Farm Road, Cork. She went to University College Cork,[3] and played on Ashbourne Cup camogie teams, joined Sunday's Well swimming club (winning the ocean swim from Crosshaven to Ocean's Point in 1940), Muskerry golf club, and became captain of her local Reserve Defence Forces during The Emergency. Members of Old Aloysians camogie club formed an archway of hurleys when she married David Crowley on 18 April 1941 in the Honan Chapel, University College Cork.[4]

Playing career

She won All Ireland medals at midfield in 1934, 1935, 1936, 1939, 1940 and 1941, when she captained the team. She also refereed the 1937 All Ireland final between Dublin and Galway. Her record of six All Ireland medals was not equalled until 1953 and not by a Cork player until Pat Maloney and Marion McCarthy both won their sixth medal in 1980.

Achievements

Lil Kirby was a decorated player. She is one of thirteen players to have six All-Ireland camogie medals.[5] These are from the years 1934, 1935, 1936, 1938, 1940 and 1941.[5][6] She captained the team in 1940, leading them to success over Galway in the final.[5] She captained then UCC university team and led them to win the Ashbourne Cup in the year 1936.[6][7] She also captained the team in 1937, where they were beaten by UCD in the final.[8][9] The Ashbourne Cup is an Irish inter-varsity camogie championship played every year, the cup for which was donated by Lord Ashbourne in 1915.[10] Kirby also refereed matches during the course of her career including the 1937 All Ireland Final between Dublin and Galway as well as a senior match between Glen Rovers and Barryroc in 1936.[5][11] Kirby was the first female chair of the Cork County Board, a position she held from the year 1938 to 1942. According to the Camogie Association's website, the board "benefited from her firm and capable leadership".[6] Kirby was also the first woman to become president of the Camogie Association. She held this position from 1942-1945 inclusive. She took on this position soon after a dispute occurred between the Cork and Dublin county boards.[5][6] This dispute was over the GAA banning GAA players from playing "foreign" sports, such as football and hockey.[5] Kirby was also described as a "top class swimmer" and swam over two miles from White Bay to Graball Bay across Cork Harbour in 1931. She was the first woman to finish the swim, and second overall.[5]

Later life

She became involved in the Irish Countrywoman's Association and continued to play whist after her husband died in 1975.

References
  1. "Camogue Association - Past Presidents". camogie.ie. Camogie Association. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  2. Moran, Mary (2011). A Game of Our Own: The History of Camogie. Dublin, Ireland: Cumann Camógaíochta. p. 460.
  3. "UCC GAA Club - Teams - Camogie". gaa.ucc.ie. University College Cork. Retrieved 19 October 2019. Famous names to don the UCC skull and crossbones jersey include [..] Elizabeth "Lil" Kirby who was the fifth President of the Camogie Assiociation
  4. Cork Examiner, 18 April 1942
  5. Moran, Mary (2011). A Game of Our Own: Camogie's Story. Dublin: Cumann Camógaíochta. p. 460. ISBN 978-1908591005.
  6. "Presidents". The Camogie Association. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  7. "Sporting Gossip". The Irish Times. 10 February 1936. ProQuest 522334482.
  8. "Keen Duels Promised for Ashbourne Cup". Irish Press. 6 February 1937. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  9. "Ashbourne Cup Regained by UCD". Irish Independent. 8 February 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  10. "Origins of the Ashbourne Cup". CCAO. 11 September 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-09-11. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
  11. "Cork County Camogie Board - Senior Matches". Irish Examiner. 25 March 1936. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
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