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22 // Ladies Gaelic Football Association WICKLOW'S JACKIE KINCH PEIL Summer | Issue No 2 | Volume 14 In 2007, and at just 16 years of age, Ellen Kinch lost a two-and-a-half year battle with cancer. Since 2008, the Ellen Kinch Memorial Cup has been played on an annual basis, to honour her memory. Proceeds from the event go to the Barretstown charity, where Ellen spent some time during her battle. The Kinch family – Clifford, Marcella, Michelle and Jackie – work tirelessly to ensure that it's a success and it was again in June, with almost €2500 raised for Barretstown. Ellen was a talented footballer in her own right and on the current Wicklow team, sister Jackie flies the family flag. "It's a seven-a-side tournament every year, and teams come from inside and outside the county," Jackie explains. "We used to do 15-a-side games but the reason we do 7-a-side now is that we used to go to the Leinster blitzes and they were great days. "You don't get that blitz atmosphere playing adult football anymore and it's a good day out for loads of teams. "And it's very special for us as a family to keep Ellen's name out there, so that's she's not forgotten about. "She had such an impact when she was here, and it's about keeping alive the spirit that she brought to life and football." Jackie recalls: "It was very hard at the time - I was only 14 and my getaway or comfort was football to be honest. "It would have helped me through an awful lot. Even just being on a panel of 20 or 15 or whatever it is gives you that 'you're not alone' feeling. "It shows that there are people there supporting you – and always there. For the Love of the Game By Jackie Cahill "Time makes it easier – you get used to her not being here but I don't think the feeling inside gets any easier." As a consequence, Jackie Kinch is an extremely motivated player, and always striving for self-improvement. She's always been this way, a self-confessed self-critic who will take on board constructive criticism and work to make herself a better player. Her tireless work shows in her performances and when Wicklow won the Lidl Division 4 League final against Louth in May, Tinahely star Kinch was in superb form. Marie Kealy may have stolen the headlines with a 3-3 haul but Kinch was brilliant throughout, scoring five points from play in the process. That victory set Wicklow up for the TG4 Leinster championship campaign – and they shocked Meath on the way to the final, where they lost out to Laois. At the time of writing, Wicklow were preparing for their opening game in the All-Ireland series, against Tyrone. And Kinch explains the Wicklow mindset following the Laois setback. " ...Her tireless work shows in her performances and when Wicklow won the Lidl Division 4 League final against Louth in May, Tinahely star Kinch was in superb form.