New championship cup unveiled in memory of Marie McAleer
The presentation of the Marie (née Holland) McAleer Perpetual Cup to Roscommon LGFA. L-R: Gerry Finn, Catherine Finn, Amy McAleer, Declan Walsh, Michael Holland, Kara McAleer, Beatrice Finn and Michael Holland jnr.
The recent launch of the Roscommon LGFA adult championship had a particularly special resonance with the unveiling of a new trophy in memory of the late Marie McAleer, who gave a lifetime of service to ladies’ football.
The Marie (née Holland) McAleer Perpetual Cup honouring the LGFA stalwart, who sadly passed away in 2022, was unveiled at Thursday’s championship launch at Dermot Hughes Toyota Car Sales.
The initiative was the brainchild of Michael Holland and warmly supported by the McAleer family.
Both the Holland and McAleer families expressed their pride and gratitude in seeing Marie’s legacy honoured in such a meaningful way and look forward to her memory being celebrated in the years to come as clubs compete in the championship.
Speaking on behalf of the Roscommon LGFA County Board, Chairperson Declan Walsh expressed deep appreciation to the Holland and McAleer families for permitting Marie’s name to be associated with one of the LGFA's premier competitions – the Dermot Hughes Car Sales Senior Championship.
Mr Walsh also extended his thanks to Dermot Hughes for hosting the event and expressed his anticipation for the exciting season ahead, with clubs vying for the prestigious Marie McAleer (née Holland) Perpetual Cup.
The cup was formally presented to Mr Walsh by members of the Holland and McAleer families, a gesture that ensures Marie’s spirit and contribution to the community will continue to inspire future generations.
Marie gave a lifetime of service to ladies’ football, both locally and nationally.
She was elected the first chairperson of Roscommon LGFA in June 1974, but it didn’t take long for her local expertise and love of ladies’ football to be replicated at national level.
A month later, on July 18th, Hayes’ Hotel in Thurles was the venue for the formation of the inaugural Central Council committee of the Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) where Marie was elected vice-chairperson.
She was posthumously awarded the 2023 Roscommon Herald/SuperValu Hall of Fame award.
