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NEWS & SHORTS www.ladiesgaelic.ie | WINTER 2022 / JANUARY 2023 | 5 Match Officials Presentation Evening A special event was held on the 3 rd of December to honour LGFA match officials who oversaw key national fixtures in 2022. The match officials who took charge of the year's biggest LGFA fixtures celebrated their own achievements and contributions – while retiring referees Keith Delahunty (Tipperary) and Yvonne Duffy (Cavan) were also honoured for their years of outstanding service. Keith Delahunty from the Premier County of Tipperary was acknowledged for his outstanding 35 years of contribution to LGFA. Keith started off at local level before moving on to provincial and national levels. Keith enjoyed a number of big days throughout his career, including fourth official roles for TG4 All-Ireland Finals at Croke Park, and he was referee for the 2008 All-Ireland Minor Final between Dublin and Tyrone. Keith took charge of his first Munster Final back in 2005 and has travelled the world representing the LGFA family. From the Mullahoran club in county Cavan, Yvonne Duffy played Ladies Football at all levels and went On Saturday 12 th November at Moate Community School, Westmeath, the annual Inter County Player Level 1 Coaching Course took place. This programme is designed to attract county players (former and current), who have gained a wealth of experience on the field, to get involved in coaching and commence/continue their journey on the Coach Education Pathway. Attendees are accredited to Level 1 within the Coaching Development Programme (CDPI) and will now avail of the many seminars, workshops, resources and support structures which LGFA have in place, as well as proceed to the LGFA Level 2 coaching course, the highest level of coaching qualification available within the Association. For this event, we were delighted to have former long- distance runner for Ireland, Catherina McKiernan, present on the day. Catherina plays a very important role as a female leader within Irish Sport, and she shared in the accumulated knowledge and experience in the room alongside former LGFA stars former stars like Fiona McHale (Mayo), Bronagh Sheridan (Cavan), Noelle Earley (Kildare) and Mary Griffin (Laois), to name but a few. Speaking about the Coaching Development Programme, LGFA President, Mícheál Naughton, said: "This LGFA Inter County Level 1 Coaching Course for Experienced Players provides players with a great opportunity to fast track their coaching careers. We want to see more of our great players progress through to the top level of coaching. They have amassed so much knowledge during their time as players that will be of enormous benefit to young players getting involved in the game. We hope to see players and former players take advantage of this opportunity to accelerate through the coaching grades and progress right to the top of our sport." on to enjoy a long and successful refereeing career. Yvonne's refereeing experience began in 2003 and her first big milestone was the Aisling McGing tournament Final between Dublin and Cork in 2010. Yvonne cites refereeing at Croke Park in 2011 and 2014 as very special occasions, and she also refereed the final of a schools competition that she herself won a medal in back in 1996. Yvonne has also travelled the world with the LGFA – with assignments abroad including trips to the USA, Canada, the UK, Dubai and Al Ain. Yvonne was also delighted to form part of an all-female group of match officials for the 2020 TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship Final. STARS ALL AROUND AT LGFA INTER COUNTY PLAYER LEVEL 1 COACHING COURSE