All About Cork: A perfect match for Denise

The most important match of local soccer star Denise O’Sullivan’s life has been made, and it’s off the pitch.

The Knocknaheeny woman posted a simple caption to Instagram last weekend, alongside a variety of photos of her with her partner James Hamblin.

The couple, who live in America, got engaged at Dix Park in North Carolina.

According to an Instagram post by the couple’s engagement photographer, “while a few of us were hanging out for Mardi Gras, the girls were picking on [James] asking him when he was going to ask Sully to marry him”.

He then discreetly asked the photographer to take photos of the engagement the following weekend.

Well wishes have poured in, with Denise’s Ireland teammates Courtney Brosnan, Katie McCabe, Kyra Carusa and Julie Ann Russell among those congratulating the couple.

Denise, who made her senior international debut in 2011, plays for North Carolina Courage and last year she signed a new long-term contract through to 2026.

She was born and raised in Knocknaheeny, and started her career with Wilton United. She later joined Cork City at the outset of the Women’s National League in 2011.

She also played for Dublin’s Peamount United in its 2011 and 2012 UEFA Women’s Champions League campaigns, before making the move to Glasgow City in 2013.

She had a successful spell in Glasgow, which included being named the Scottish Women’s Premier League’s player of the year in 2014, before making the move to the US with Houston Dash in 2016.

The next year, she signed with North Carolina Courage and has helped them win two consecutive National Women’s Soccer League Championships. Denise was voted most valuable player by teammates in 2018 and 2019.

In January 2023, Denise was chosen as Cork person of the month in honour of her sporting achievements.

Celebrating International Women's Day in Farranree

Kabin Studio set to lead St Patrick’s Day parade in Cork

The Kabin Studio are to lead off this weekend’s St Patrick’s Day parade as grand marshals.

The honour recognises The Kabin Studio’s impact over the past decade as a vibrant creative community hub.

Garry McCarthy, creative director of The Kabin Studio, said all involved were delighted to showcase not just the talented young people and children at The Kabin Studio, but also to bring along their families and the wider community.

It comes following the Kabin Crew and Lisdoonvarna Crew being voted as the RTÉ Choice Music Prize Irish Song of the Year for their song, The Spark.

The song was selected from a shortlist of 10 by public vote in Ireland, via the RTÉ 2FM and Choice Music Prize websites, and was announced by Tracy Clifford on her show.

Bus booked for Knock

A 53-seater bus has been booked again this year for Ascension parish’s annual pilgrimage to Knock.

It will take place on Saturday, June 7, to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

The bus will leave the church at 7.30am and return at 10.30pm.

Those who still owe outstanding payments for the trip are asked to please settle the amount as soon as possible, so that other names can be added if some are not now travelling.

The cost is €65 per person. This includes breakfast on the journey up and dinner on the way back.

GAA Guide Dogs partnership

St Vincent’s and Cork camogie player Amy O’Connor was player ambassador to launch the partnership between the Gaelic Players’ Association (GPA) and the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind as their official charity partner for 2025.

Players will support the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind by raising vital funds for the charity and highlighting the work they do.

The GPA have sponsored two four-week-old pups, Paw-Dí and Peil, who will undergo training to become guide dogs or assistance dogs.

The pups were named by inter-county players and partnership ambassadors, who are all passionate about the work of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind CEO Tim O’Mahony said: “We’ll, of course, be updating the GPA on Paw-Dí and Peil’s progress during their training journey to change the life of someone who is blind or vision impaired or the family of a child with autism.”

Health information event

An information morning will take place on Wednesday at Hollyhill and Knocknaheeny community garden.

The Healthy Communities health information morning will run from 11am to 1pm on March 19.

Attendees will be able to learn about what free health programmes are available in Cork city north. Tea and refreshments will be available during the session.

Have Knocknaheeny, Gurranabraher and Hollyhill news to share? Contact sarah.odwyer@theecho.ie