The Mayor of South Dublin County, Councillor Alan Edge, honoured Irish International football star Carol Cosgrave recently. Carol was a player on the first International Irish Women’s football team in 1973. The event sought to acknowledge Carol’s achievements and mark the 50th anniversary of Ireland’s first Irish Women’s International Team. The event was attended by Carol and her family, teammates from the Suffragettes Football Team as well as players from Kilnamanagh AFC and South Dublin Councillors. The Mayor presented Carol with a small gift to mark the occasion, followed by a screening of the Ireland v Nigeria World Cup game.
Speaking at the event, the Mayor, Cllr. Alan Edge said “I was delighted to recognise Carol’s achievements which have inspired so many young players including the current international team. Women’s football became popular in Ireland in the late 1960’s and new clubs and organised leagues across the country were established – including the Ladies League of Ireland, the Leinster Ladies League and the Civil Service Ladies League.
In 1973 the Ladies Football Association of Ireland (LFAI) was formed to organise women’s football nationwide and the Ladies League of Ireland began on March 4, 1973. Two months later, the Republic of Ireland played their first international game in an away friendly game against Wales in Llanelli. The creation of the first Irish Women’s International Team was an amazing achievement and changed the game forever. There is always room for improvement, but the game has gone from strength to strength and today’s players stand on the shoulders of giants.”
Pictured: Mayor of South Dublin Cllr. Alan Edge with Carol Cosgrave nee Doran (centre) and other members of the original Women’s National Team in County Hall Tallaght
