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.”
Matt doherty starting. Anyone want my ticket?
@Dave Moran: take it easy, he’s on the comeback through rough times.
@Dave Moran: Mother of God ,anyway I’ve an idea bring back Bazunu and play Kelleher outfield ?
@Dave Moran:
@Dave Moran:
Be better off playing Pierce Doherty
@Brian Keogh: Gemma Doherty ,she’d vex someone anyway…
Ireland are back! Like trump
@Buster Lawless: do you have to infect every article?
@ecrowley ecrowley: we are together
@ecrowley ecrowley: you old crow
@ecrowley ecrowley: he even comments at 2 in the morning
@ecrowley ecrowley: MIGA
@Dermot Blaine: the dedication to spasticity is admirable.
@ecrowley ecrowley: Tooooo harsh ,if it’s too hot ,get out of the kitchen.
As a rule I NEVER have a punt on IRELAND in soccer…… but tonight the devil’s lured me in with the ‘special offer’– 9/4 on the double– England and Ireland both to win… threw a twenty at it!!
@Frank Mc Carthy: You might just have hit the jackpot tonight Frank.
@Ray Ridge: new BMW 5 series looks tasty, lol
@Frank Mc Carthy: Well deserved if you win Frank. Good luck, a great bet.
@Frank Mc Carthy: You might have to settle for a new BMX, Frank.
@Ray Ridge: these Finish lads aren’t that bad, looking likely another 20euro to bet365 Christmas party
@Frank Mc Carthy: The width of the post, Frank. Ireland will knick a winner 2nd half.
@Ray Ridge: Ray…..got a bad feeling we’re looking at a nil all result
@Frank Mc Carthy: aged well
@Frank Mc Carthy: Told you Frank. It was going to be Irelands night especially after Finland hitting the post on two occasions.
@Frank Mc Carthy: YES!!!!!!! Tasty header from Ferguson
@Frank Mc Carthy: a few grand you should win, great prediction well done
@Frank Mc Carthy: Nice!!!!! Great win for Ireland…… the brits made short work of the Greeks
@Frank Mc Carthy: Brave man ,congratulations.
@Frank Mc Carthy: Well done, Frank. Off to a showroom near you tomorrow!!
@Ray Ridge: maybe steak instead of pizza friday, lol
@Frank Mc Carthy: I’ll have to make do with aldi burgers!
On the boys in green
If we avoid defeat today, it would pretty mean that we are guaranteed to qualify for the next Euros as it would keep us ahead of Northern Ireland in the nations league (2 automatic qualifying spots for host nations). We’d then just need England and one of Scotland or Wales to qualify automatically, presuming we don’t. So saying all of that, my prediction is 2-0 Finland
@Dave Moran: not necessarily. If we come
Third we are into a playoff with second in league C so still could get relegated.
@Dave Moran: didnt age well
@Dave Moran: Infairness your consistent Dave, whether it is rugby or football, your predictions are predictably brutally wrong. Impressive that you are completely clueless about both sports.
A win for Ireland tonight and think we go back up to 8th in world rankings. Good progression.
@Buster Lawless: 8th in the world?
@Buster Lawless: 8th in the vicinity of western Europe heading out to the Atlantic
Warm up for the rugby tomorrow night. Like the minors before the senior game.
@Tom tom: That went really well there last week Tom?
God help us with Cullen and knight
@Tom Tom, another pointless friendly tomorrow night in a minority sport. Not sure what is worse been poor at football or been very good at Rugby and not making in past a quarter final and let’s face it only about 7 or 8 countries take Rugby seriously.
@WFVedF99: Minority or not minority sport at least one gets the opportunity to represent Ireland.
@WFVedF99: being*
Is O’Shaughnessy related to Niall Quinn?
Useless
Turned over to the match to do a quick catch up. Oh Jaysus!
3 points is 3 points. Couldn’t have asked for more, COYBIG