KERRY FOOTBALL GREAT Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh has this evening brought the curtain down on her inter-county football career.
The 32-year-old made her Kerry debut in 2008 as a 16-year-old. She ended her long-awaited search for an All-Ireland title this year, firing six points in August’s 3-14 to 0-11 final success over Galway, that saw Kerry won national senior honours for the first time in 31 years.
The forward won five All-Star awards during her career and was named TG4 Senior Players’ Player of the Year in 2023.
Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh announces intercounty retirement pic.twitter.com/FmfBb89i1f
— KerryLGFA (@kerryladiesfoot) December 22, 2024
Ní Mhuircheartaigh’s statement in full announcing her decision, released by the Kerry LGFA, reads:
“After 17 years of representing Kerry at inter-county level, I have made the decision to retire from playing with the Kerry Ladies Football team. This has been a deeply difficult decision, but one I feel is right for me at this stage in my career.
“I would like to thank the Kerry County Board for their support throughout my journey. A special thanks to the management teams over the years particularly Darragh and Declan and their management teams, for their guidance, leadership and passion for the Kerry ladies.
“Your dedication has played a key role in my development, both on and off the field. To my teammates, it has been an honour to represent this jersey alongside such talented and driven individuals.
“I’ll forever cherish the memories we’ve shared together and the friendships we have created.”
“Do mo chlub Corca Dhuibhne míle buiochas as an dtacaíocht a thug sibh dom i gcónaí. Mom, Dad agus Colm. Ó bhun mo chroí go raibh míle maith agaibh as na haon rud atá déanta agaibh dom ó thosnaíos ag imirt. Chabhraigh sibh liorn dul thar nais bliain i ndiaidh bliana chun an bonn speisialta san a bhuachtaint.
“An tacaíocht atá tugtha agaibh dom thar na blianta, níl a sárú le fáil.
“While my playing days may be over, the pride and love I have for Kerry football will never fade. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey – I’ll carry the memories with me always.
“Níl aon rud dodhéanta. Mná na Riochta abú.”
The Kerry Ladies Football board paid tribute to Ní Mhuircheartaigh.
“Today the curtain falls on the career of one of the greatest Gaelic footballers that the Kingdom has ever produced. Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh has been an inspiration to all who have witnessed her 17-year career in the Green and Gold.
“Louise is the embodiment of what makes Ladies Gaelic Football great. Talented, consistent, hardworking, committed, dedicated and inspiring are all words that come to mind when describing Louise on and off the field.
“Louise has achieved individual and team success throughout her time with Kerry LGFA. Five All-Star awards, Players Player of the Year Award, LIDL Division 2 and Division 1 NFL titles, Munster senior championship titles culminating in the 2024 TG4 Senior All-Ireland Championship title are a tribute to her consistent performances throughout the years.
“On behalf of the all members of Kerry LGFA executive, players, management, sponsors and supporters, I wish to thank Louise for bringing us on a wonderful journey over the past 17 years and look forward to what the future holds for her going forward.
“Louise – laoch Chiarraí agus laoch Chorca Dhuibhne.
“Chaith tú an geansai le bród agus onóir – rinne tú gaisce!
“Beidh muintir Chiarrai buíoch duit i gcónai. Go n-eirí leat as seo amach.”
With all the very exciting points that they make in the prospectus, you’d wonder why they’d want to sell.
How do you make a small fortune out of a LOI club?……. Start off with a large fortune!
1.3 million and they don’t even own the grounds?
@Stephen Foster: That’s true but it’s still the best LOI ground in the country by far
@Ronan O Connor:
If it has a running track around it is not.
I’d say tallagh is
@Ronan O Connor: eh.. you don’t go to many LoI grounds I take it?
@John Travers: g’wan the LOI
@Ronan O Connor: Has to be Tallaght man. Best ground in the LOI.
@Ronan O Connor: You haven’t been to Tallaght Stadium?
@Stephen Foster: Just like AC & Inter Milan to name but 2. What’s the problem with long term leases?
@John Travers: exactly
McGregor might buy it he’s been looking to purchase a football club
@John Kelly: the only thing he will actually pay for is silence ..
@Ciaran: and fines
Limerick FC all over again. The initial investment doesn’t pay off when not enough fans come through the gate or into the club shop.
@Mogh Roith: the problem is not being able to sign players until you have the fixture list for the following seasonr. Most clubs can’t sign players to multiple year contracts, only 9 month ones. So all the big clubs have to do is wait until the end of the season and offer a 2 year contract to a free agent
Will they accept Blaa’s as payment?
Thought the headline said Watford at first…..would have bought shares of that was Watford’s value…