Elizabeth ‘Lil’ Kirby (1921–1987) was a camogie player who won six All Ireland medals and became fifth president of the Camogie Association.

Early life

She was the daughter of DW Kirby and Carrigpeter, Model Farm Road, Cork. She went to University College Cork and played on Ashbourne Cup

Ashbourne Cup

The Ashbourne Cup is an Irish camogie tournament played each year to determine the national champion university or third level college. The Ashbourne Cup is the highest division in inter-collegiate camogie. The competition features many of the current stars of the game...

 camogie teams, joined Sunday's Well swimming club (winning the ocean swim from Crosshaven

Crosshaven

Crosshaven is a village in County Cork, Ireland. Origins of the Irish name of Crosshaven include; - mouth of the river Sabhrann , and . The village is located in a scenic area with views of Wood, and Cork Harbour.-Transport:...

 to Ocean’s Point in 1940), Muskerry golf club, and became captain of her local Security Force Squad

Reserve Defence Forces

The Reserve Defence Forces is the title given to the reserve components of the Irish Defence Forces. It comprises the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve ....

 during the second world war. Members of Old Aloysians camogie club formed an archway of hurleys when she married David Crowley on April 18, 1941 in the Honan Chapel

Honan Chapel

The Honan Chapel is located on the grounds of University College Cork in Cork city, Ireland.-Irish Arts & Crafts movement :The chapel, and its liturgical collection, was produced during the late phase of the Irish Arts and Crafts movement . Both the building and furnishings were designed and...

, University College Cork.

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

Pat Maloney

Patrick William Maloney was a Major League Baseball outfielder. Maloney played for the New York Highlanders in 1912. In 25 career games, he had a .215 batting average with 17 hits in 79 at-bats. He batted and threw right-handed....

 and Marion McCarthy

Marion McCarthy

Marion McCarthy is a former camogie player, winner of the B+I Star of the Year award in 1980. and All Ireland medals in 1978, 1980, 1982 and 1983. She won National League medals in 1984, 1986 and 1991. She is the only player in camogie history to win All Ireland medals as an outfield player and,...

 both won their sixth medal in 1980.

Camogie President

While still a player she became chair of Cork camogie board in December 1938 and president of the Camogie Association in 1942 when both the Cork and Dublin county boards were under suspension by central council for a disagreement over the ban on playing hockey.

Later life

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

External links

• Camogie.ie Official Camogie Association Website
• On The Ball Official Camogie Magazine Issue 1 and issue 2
• History of Camogie slideshow. presented by Cumann Camógaíochta Communications Committee at GAA Museum January 25, 2010 part one, part two, part three and part four
• Camogie on official GAA website
• Timeline: History of Camogie
• Camogie on GAA Oral History Project
• Cork camogie website: Cork