Agnes Hennessy

Agnes Hennessy (Úna Bhean Uí hAonghusa) from Coragh Cootehill County Cavan was elected the sixth president of the Camogie Association and the second Cavan woman to hold the position[1] when she defeated Áine Ní Riain from Dublin by 22 votes to 13 at the 1945 Congress in Dublin.[2]

Agnes Hennessy, Úna Bhean Uí hAonghusa
6th President of the Camogie Association
In office
1946–1949
Succeeded bySíle Horgan
Personal details
Spouse(s)JJ Hennessy
ChildrenChris

Career

Representing the Drumgoon club she first ran for chair of Cavan camogie unsuccessfully against Anna McEntee in 1931. She served originally as treasurer and then as vice-chair of Cavan county board during which time she was responsible for the first Cavan team to enter the championship against Down in Downpatrick in 1935 and brought affiliations to a record 14 teams in 1938. She was chair of the Cavan Camogie Board in 1940-8 and of Ulster Council. She was also a prominent referee.

Presidency

She was elected during a fractious period when Dublin and Cork, presiding over an unsuccessful reunification meeting in January 1946.

Personal life

Her husband JJ Hennessy, town clerk of Cootehill (1924–41), died on 2 April 1945 shortly after her election. They had two daughters and three sons, Tony, John and Gerry, Statia and Lily. Two of the sons played football on the Cavan Junior Team and Statia played on the Cavan Senior Camogie team. Her husband was buried in Middle Chapel Cemetery in Cootehill. There is anecdotal evidence suggesting that Agnes emigrated to Australia with at least some of her family in 1950.

References
  1. Moran, Mary (2011). A Game of Our Own: The History of Camogie. Dublin, Ireland: Cumann Camógaíochta. p. 460.
  2. Irish Independent: Camogie President appeals for tolerance 19 March 1945
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