The Late May Byrne It was with deep regret that fellow team mates learned of the death in December of May Byrne ( nee Kavanagh), captain of the famous Co. Wicklow camogie team that brought such honour to the Garden County in the late 40s, right up until 1960. May and her sisters Kathleen and Aggie (dec) formed the nucleus of the team. My first introduction to May was in February 1948 when as a teenager I was selected on the county senior team, as was my colleague June Wolohan. We were both very honoured as we were selected for the newly formed Arklow club. The county team met Meath in Croke Park and enjoyed a 4-2 victory over the Royal County and those of us who have survived the years remember this win with pride. May was captain that day and was an inspiration to all especially the inexperienced new players. She went on to captain the county team for the next decade, working closely with her team-mates and county team manager Joe Byrne, whom she would later marry. The achievements of the county team were more remarkable because there were only four camogie teams in Wicklow- Arklow, Ballyrichard, Barndarrig and Glenealy. Wicklow continued to grow in strength from the 1948 win with the Kilmac club supplying county players like Gertie White and Kathleen Mulligan in the 50s. Arklow had top-class players coming on the county team including Mary Lynch, Betty Cranny, Rosaleen Bolger, Breda Laffan, while Ballyrichard supplied Margaret and Nellie Nolan and May Lvanoff. Wicklow had the second best team in the country at the time, behind Dublin. Captain May Kavanagh encouraged and supported all the up and coming stars. Wicklow's proudest achievement was beating Wexford in the Leinster league final on a cold miserable day in 1953. In the hayclon days in Wicklow camogie, the team were lucky to have the services of Jean Hannon (Bray) (dec.) and May Fitzpatrick of Carnew, both of whom played with the CIE team in Dublin. May Kavanagh captained the team with distinction and inspired us all for decades. For those of us who remain from the 1948 team we would like to say to all her family how privileged we were to be part of her team. May God give peace to her soul and all the other team members who predeceased her. An appreciation by Nancy Quinn (nee Lynch) Courtesy of the Wicklow People 2nd January 2008 Tweet

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