Girls Play Too: Inspiring Stories of Irish Sportswomen
Irish sportswomen have been breaking the mould for a very, very long time. In 1956, Maeve Kyle became our first female Olympian. In 1978 rally driver Rosemary Smith broke the country’s land-speed record! Through the 1990s and 2000s we had world champions in Sonia O’Sullivan, Derval O’Rourke and Olive Loughnane. More recently, the fantastic Katie Taylor, Kellie Harrington and Annalise Murphy have been among those who have put Irish sportswomen on the map. This book breaks the mould once more, as a first ever compendium of stories for children about our best contemporary sportswomen. Published by Merrion Press.
With a fairytale touch, RTÉ’s Jacqui Hurley tells the stories of women who have proved that being a girl is not a barrier to sporting success. Each story is one of overcoming big challenges. The role models celebrated here are sure to inspire the next generation of Irish sportswomen. Featuring twenty-five dazzling athletes, and with delightful drawings by five wonderful female Irish illustrators, Girls Play Too is a celebration of some of our brightest and best sporting stars, and of all that you can achieve if you try your best and never give up on your dreams.
Vividly illustrated with original drawings by five Irish female artists. Illustrators are Jennifer Farley, Sinead Colleran, Jennifer Murphy, Rachel Corcoran and Lauren O’Neill.
Shortlisted for Children’s Book of the Year (Senior), An Post Irish Book Awards, 2020
Sanita Pušpure
Sanita Pušpure is a Latvian-born Irish professional rower. She was a back-to-back world champion in the women’s single scull winning her title at the 2018 World Rowing Championships in Plovdiv and defending it at the 2019 World Rowing Championships in Ottensheim. via Wikipedia
Briege Corkery
Briege Corkery is a camogie player, ladies’ Gaelic footballer. She is the winner of seven All Ireland Senior Camogie medals, as well as the winner of eleven All Ireland Senior Ladies’ Football medals.
Corkery is one of the most successful GAA players in history, winning 18 All-Ireland Medals.
Natalya Coyle
Natalya Coyle is an Irish athlete who competed in the modern pentathlon at the 2012, 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympics.
The modern pentathlon is an Olympic sport consisting of fencing (one-touch épée), freestyle swimming, equestrian show jumping, pistol shooting, and cross-country running.
Fiona Coghlan
Fiona Coghlan is a former Ireland women’s rugby union international. Coghlan represented Ireland at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cups. She also captained the Ireland team that won the 2013 Women’s Six Nations Championship.
In 2013 Coghlan was named The Irish Times / Irish Sports Council Sportswoman of the Year after captaining Ireland to their first ever Six Nations, Grand Slam and Triple Crown titles. Coghlan was a member of the first Ireland teams to defeat France, England and New Zealand. – via Wikipedia
Stephanie Zambra
Stephanie Zambra (née Roche) is an Irish footballer who plays as a striker for Shamrock Rovers of Dublin and the Republic of Ireland women’s national football team.
Her October 2013 goal in the Women’s National League (WNL) for Peamount United was the runner-up for the 2014 FIFA Puskás Award for the best goal of the year. – via Wikipedia
You can see more illustrated picture books by Jennifer Farley here.
