And why wouldn’t he be? The seniors are, after all, one of the most successful sporting teams the country has ever seen, having recently bagged six All-Ireland’s in a row — and 11 in 12 years — and the minors are hot on their tails.
The Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Des Cahill who hosted a civic reception for the Cork ladies senior and minor football All Ireland winning teams at the City Hall, Cork .
Video Eddie O’Hare
“Throwing a civic reception is the highest honour the city can bestow, apart from affording the Freedom of the City,” said Lord Mayor Councillor Des Cahill.
“This is my first civic reception since I’ve taken office, and there won’t be more than a handful of such events during the year so it’s very special.” He commended the teams for their “humble and sporting nature” which is evident both on and off the pitch, and made special mention of player Áine Terry O’Sullivan.
![The Lord Mayor Cllr Des Cahill with Ciara O'Sullivan, senior captain and Laura Cleary minor captain at the civic reception to honour the Cork senior ladies and minor All Ireland winning teams at the City Hall. Picture: Eddie O'Hare]()
The Lord Mayor Cllr Des Cahill with Ciara O’Sullivan, senior captain and Laura Cleary minor captain at the civic reception to honour the Cork senior ladies and minor All-Ireland winning teams at the City Hall. Picture: Eddie O’Hare
“Áine probably makes the longest trip of anyone in any sport just to attend training,” he said.
“She travels from Allihies on the Beara Peninsula, which is a 285km round trip just to go to training. That just shows you the commitment these players have to the sport.”
Speaking on behalf of the entire city, the Lord Mayor thanked the team for the immense pride they have instilled in many Corkonians.
“We really are very thankful. They’re an amazing bunch of athletes,” he said.
Captain of the senior team, Ciara O’Sullivan, thanked the Lord Mayor for his kind words and said the whole team greatly appreciates the support they have received and, indeed, the fact that City Hall has been lit up in red and white specifically for their matches.
She also said last night’s civic reception was “a huge, huge honour”.
“It’s the icing on the cake to what’s been a very successful year,” she said.
