Cork legend Valerie Mulcahy inspires Rockbán and dedicates county win to her father

FORMER Cork star Valerie Mulcahy showed there is plenty of life left in the 10-time All-Ireland LGFA senior winner by helping her Rockbán club win this year’s Cork LGFA JBFC title.

A narrow 2-8 to 1-10 victory over West Cork club Tadgh Mac Cárthaigh saw Rockbán claim this year’s junior B county title at MTU Cork last Saturday.

It took a full team effort to win one of the most competitive of all Cork LGFA’s adult grades. 

Backboned by their 2023 U21 C county winning team, Rockbán merged youthful exuberance with experience to become county champions.

Central to that victory over Tadgh Mac Cárthaigh was former Cork senior, All-Ireland champion and LGFA All-Star Valerie Mulcahy.

Contributing 2-6 of her side’s total, Mulcahy rolled back the years and showed why she is still a class act both on and off the pitch.

“It is a great feeling waking up and knowing we did the business and managed to get over the line to win the junior B county,” Mulcahy commented.

“We had lovely celebrations in Whitechurch that night and they went into the early hours but it was good fun. 

"There was live music, dancing and plenty of craic. It was very nice to share a few hours with the young ones and share all their energy.” 

Being part of her club’s first county B winning team nearly a quarter of a century before made this past weekend’s victory all the sweeter.

“I was very happy with my performance. I did think the occasion got to a few of the girls. I was surprised and delighted to hear the crowd roaring when we ran out on to the MTU pitch. 

"There was a huge crowd there. In the semi-final (3-11 to 1-5 win over Bishopstown), we had about 10 different scorers. 

"The county final was quite different in that, this time, it was mainly myself scoring from play and frees." 

Aideen Donovan (free) and Claire Ahern were also on target.

Claire and I both played on the Rockbán team that originally won the junior B county 23 years ago in 2000. We wore the same numbers as well, numbers 11 and 13.

“As a team, we probably didn’t play our best but did enough to get over the line. Tadgh Mac Cárthaigh were tough opposition. 

"A young, ambitious and fearless team.” 

DEEP

Valerie Mulcahy’s love of Rockbán runs deeper than most players when it comes to their respective clubs. 

That’s because Valerie’s mother, Marie, was a founding member and her late father, Tom, one of Rockbán and his daughter’s most ardent supporters.

Rockbán’s 2023 U21 and junior B successes are all the more important for those reasons.

“Yeah, winning the county was special as my Mum, brother and sisters were all there, one of my sisters, Onora, is on the panel as well,” Mulcahy added.

A few short months ago, we lost my Dad. He would probably have been our biggest supporter. 

"Even after I retired he was going out to all the matches and even umpiring. It was lovely when our captain Jennifer Whelan accepted the cup and remembered Tom, my Dad, in her speech. 

"I think he would have been in his element if he had been there. I was just glad that we could win it in his honour. I know he’d be very happy.

“That made winning the county that bit more special and important to me, to bring it home.” 

Life remains as hectic as ever for the full-time teacher, junior footballer and one of next year’s Cork LGFA minor coaches.

Valerie Mulcahy has nothing left to prove after a glittering career so why is she still pushing herself to the limit?

“It was actually my Dad, when he was sick, was questioning why I was around but not playing!

“I helped out Rockbán at the end of last season. We needed to win our final match to avoid being relegated. I played my part in that match and we stayed up. When the start of this season came, my Dad gave me the nudge that I needed. 

"So I am happy to be able to still contribute out on the pitch.”