Proud moment as Tipperary woman picks up her international soccer cap after 50-year wait!

Saturday last was a proud moment at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, for native Ardfinnan woman Eleanor Carroll who was presented with her commemorative international cap after the small matter and a short wait of just over 50 years.

At an event organised by the FAI prior to the Ireland team’s first-ever international game at the stadium later in the day, Eleanor, along with over 200 former players, finally got her hands on the long-overdue but still coveted cap. The presentations were made by the president of the FAI, Gerry McAnaney, in the Presidential Suite at the Aviva. Earlier in the day, in the forecourt of the Sandymount Hotel, all former players were presented with a one-off jersey sponsored by EasyGo.

While the event itself didn’t go off without some controversy due to the type of function and an apparent shortage of caps (for now) for everyone invited, there were no such worries for Eleanor as her cohort of players were given priority. Eleanor was a member of the first-ever soccer team to represent Ireland in 1973 and that squad were honoured specially at the conclusion of the presentations.

The occasion was greatly appreciated by Eleanor, a retired PE teacher who now lives in Clonmel.

“It was a wonderful occasion for everybody there in the Aviva yesterday,” said Eleanor.

“It was an emotional and enjoyable day from start to finish, where we all went home with our precious cap and jersey. We had to wait a long time to get the cap, but that will never again be the case,” with perhaps a subtle reminder from the Ardfinnan woman to the FAI of the importance of equality in sport regarding the treatment of men and women.

While still in secondary school at the Convent in Cahir, the talented young sportswoman became part of the nation’s soccer history. On Sunday, May 13, 1973, she wrote her name into the annals of Irish sport when coming on as a sub, at just 16 years of age, in the 3-2 away victory over Wales at Llanelli. That win in the Principality was followed the following month by a 4-1 triumph over Northern Ireland when Eleanor again played her part. Soon afterwards, however, she was off to Limerick and third level training at the NCPE (Thomond) before Ladies Gaelic Football took over her sporting focus. Eleanor then helped Tipperary to victory in the very first All-Ireland Senior Football beating Offaly in a final in Birr in October 1974. That incredible Tipperary team went on to do an amazing back-to-back with victory over Galway in the final the following year.

After the presentation of caps yesterday, all players and plus ones, were invited to stay for the history-making game between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland with the home side winning 3-0, to cap a day to remember. It was the second time in just a few months that Eleanor and her 1973 teammates were honoured as prior to Ireland's departure to the World Cup in Australia the country’s first-ever Women’s National Team were recognised on the same night as the game v France at Tallaght Stadium, Dublin.