Tribute to centenarian Mae Gough

The death of Mae Gough (née Mulcahy), one of the oldest residents in Killaloe, who celebrated her 100th birthday in February, brought the curtain down on several decades of camogie achievements by the Killaloe native at local, county, provincial and national level.

Back in the 1930s, Mae, together with her siblings Bridie and Peggy, formed the local Killaloe Club with players from Killaloe, Ballina and Bridgetown. She took part in the first recorded camogie match at Killaloe on Sunday, September 29, 1940, between Ballina and Castleconnell, on the occasion of the Killaloe hurling tournament. Four years later, Mae founded the Killaloe Camogie Club (1944).

A memorable day for Mae, her siblings and team-mates was recorded in Nenagh, August 18, 1946, when she captained Clare in a Munster semi-final against Tipperary. The final score on that day, was Clare 2-2, Tipperary 1-1 with both goals scored by Mae. In the Munster Final, she again scored 1-1 to lead Clare to Munster victory against Cork by a single point.

The Gough family has been and continues to be deeply involved in Smith O’Brien GAA & Camogie. When speaking with Mae a short number of years ago, she spoke with pride of the current development and success, especially of the camogie club in Killaloe. It was quite poignant that Smith O’Brien’s recorded a first U14 camogie County title just days before Mae’s passing.

Thank you, Mae, for the legacy you have left for the young people of Killaloe and may your gentle soul rest in peace.