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The Stade de Reims team in 1976 with Anne third from the left in the back row.

Story of Ireland's trailblazing football star claims overall Investec 20x20 award

The42′s Eoin O’Callaghan retraced Anne O’Brien’s amazing career.

THE42′S EOIN O’CALLAGHAN has been named the overall Investec 20×20 Media Award winner for his piece on Anne O’Brien.

The Dubliner forged a hugely successful football career on continental Europe in the 1970s and ’80s. 

The prize, part of the 20×20 campaign, was established to recognise ‘excellence in Irish journalism focused on women in sport’. Eoin’s piece with Anne’s brother Tony was the inaugural monthly winner early last year.

“Eoin O’Callaghan’s uncovering of the story of Anne O’Brien, the greatest footballer you’d never heard of, made such an impression on the judges that – despite being our very first winner of the campaign back in January – has lasted long in the memory,” said Anna Kessel, judging panel chair.

“Beautifully written, painstakingly researched, with so many voices and a richness of detail, it was a joy to read from start to finish. Truly outstanding sports writing, telling an engaging story, but with a pathos too – Anne O’Brien passed away in 2016 in relative obscurity, in O’Callaghan’s retelling he elevates her story to a higher profile. That, ultimately, is what the 20×20 campaign has been all about. Shining a light on incredible women’s sports stories that deserve to be told.”

The judging panel also gave a highly commended award to Cathal Dennehy, for his interview with the 800m runner, Katie Kirk.

The42 won five monthly 20×20 awards in 2019 with Emma Duffy, Brendan Coffey, Paul Fennessy and Paul Dollery also seeing their work recognised throughout the year.    

To get access to even more podcasts, newsletters and events from The42, you can become a member.

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    Mute Martin Malone
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    Sep 1st 2022, 10:44 PM

    United played very well in patches tonight against a stale looking Leicester team. Eriksen is pure class and brings a bit of intelligence and composure to the side. Very early days yet, but progress all the same.

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    Mute Johnny Mads
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    Sep 1st 2022, 10:19 PM

    Solid performance, but that was pure crap going forward. Far too passive and almost cocky in attack. Against a rubbish Leicester side who would have been put away by City / Liverpool. Praying Antony lives some bit up to the 100m coz Elanga Rashford Ronaldo nowhere near consistent enough. Highlight of the match was Dalot celebrating the block on Harvey Barnes.. cringey.. but just glad to see any bit of passion in defence these days. 3 wins on the trot we’ll take it. Big improvement needed on Sunday. PS. can see Rodgers at Villa soon!

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    Mute Arthur Pewty
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    Sep 1st 2022, 10:24 PM

    @Johnny Mads: pretty much

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    Mute Paul Gorry
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    Sep 1st 2022, 10:26 PM

    @Johnny Mads: Hats off to ten hag to drop Maguire Johnny. The only way is up. As for yer Rogers quip that’s actually funny and not funny at the same time.

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    Mute Pauly Kel
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    Sep 1st 2022, 10:26 PM

    @Johnny Mads: very scrappy at times and alot of work to do, actually thought Ronaldo was lively when he came on, was unlucky with the bicycle kick also, 3 points and a clean sheet

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    Mute Johnny Mads
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    Sep 1st 2022, 10:30 PM

    @Pauly Kel: Ronaldo always a danger, just feel he holds back on his forward passed a second too long. Can’t help but feel he’s thinking 2 or 3 steps ahead on how he can give the ball to player best positioned to set him up at the end. Pure paranoia on my behalf but that’s how i always see it ! Sometimes kills the attack. But we sure will take 3 points and move on and keep building.

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    Mute Johnny Mads
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    Sep 1st 2022, 10:31 PM

    @Paul Gorry: When i saw him dropped before the pool game i got excited. Felt like a relief to finally move on and take a chance at least. So far paying off. As for Rodgers.. put your house on it ;)

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    Mute A$AP Ragnick
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    Sep 1st 2022, 10:32 PM

    @Johnny Mads: thought Dalot was very good again. Think it’s a bit harsh to lump ronnie in with rashford and elanga, he was on for 20 mins and looked far more threatening than both. If he shot rather than crossed to Eriksen near the end I’m convinced it would have been 2. Jenas saying rashford was on for his work rate was hilarious, did absolutely nowt besides his assist. Surely not a starter for much longer. Mctominay was fairly reckless aswell at times, dragging down maddison on the edge of the box. Surely time to give Fred and Casemiro a run!

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    Mute Paul Gorry
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    Sep 1st 2022, 10:35 PM

    @Johnny Mads: probably like the majority of utd fans to be fair. As for Rodgers i don’t have a house lol

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    Mute A$AP Ragnick
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    Sep 1st 2022, 10:36 PM

    @Paul Gorry: rodgers has 102 by all accounts.

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    Mute Johnny Mads
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    Sep 1st 2022, 10:42 PM

    @A$AP Ragnick: Dalot gaining confidence off the new system. Glad to see him earn his place ahead of AWB who i cant stand! Prob harsh on Ronnie but jury still out on him for me at moment. We could really do with him hitting form now at the right time so here’s hoping! Ya I think Fred & Casemiro will be the partnership once Casemiro settles. Big test Sunday now gunners on fire.

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    Mute Johnny Mads
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    Sep 1st 2022, 10:42 PM

    @Paul Gorry: lol

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    Mute Mark Reville
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    Sep 1st 2022, 10:55 PM

    Leicester reward has beens like Vardy and Evans with new contracts when they should be replaced. The spine of that team needs surgery. New keeper, centre backs, holding midfielder, two strikers. Only six minutes left Brendan. Hurry up !!

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    Mute Jake Kelly
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    Sep 1st 2022, 11:49 PM

    Being cautiously optimistic about this upswing in form, this is a side that may give a good run for 4th but ultimately settle for 5th (please anything but 6th again). Arsenal Is the real test if we can topple them then maybe 4th is an actual possibility given that Chelsea seem to be cracking

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    Mute john fairclough
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    Sep 1st 2022, 11:11 PM

    The big test for this current Utd squad is when they come up against the top teams! Let’s see what happens on Sunday.

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    Mute John McK
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    Sep 2nd 2022, 2:38 AM

    @john fairclough: what like Lvpl

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    Mute HarveyLemonade
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    Sep 2nd 2022, 9:15 AM

    @john fairclough: Did they not already beat Liverpool?

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    Mute A$AP Ragnick
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    Sep 2nd 2022, 9:50 AM

    @HarveyLemonade: I agree. It will be as equally as big a test for arsenal. They have been impressive but have had a fairly handy first few games.

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    Mute Brian Cooney
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    Sep 1st 2022, 11:16 PM

    Pretty irrelevant…. however, United have recorded 3 straight Premier League wins in August/September 2021 and in December 2021.

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    Mute Shane Obrien
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    Sep 2nd 2022, 12:57 AM

    It’s progress but Ten Haag seems far to cautious when in lead. He brings off pacey attackers for slower defensive players. Happened in last 3 games. Could have easily cost Utd points in each game. This isn’t the Dutch league where teams will accept a 1 0 loss.

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    Mute Aidy McBride
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    Sep 2nd 2022, 1:02 AM

    @Shane Obrien: I think he’s just getting Casemiro a few minutes here and there for a possible start on Sunday.

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    Mute A$AP Ragnick
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    Sep 2nd 2022, 9:52 AM

    @Shane Obrien: think its more of a natural response to united’s tendency to retreat when they get into a lead, i don’t think he is encouraging it or anything. They would have drawn/lost games like this and the Southampton one last year. Hopefully show more of a killer instinct in the upcoming games.

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