Wednesday, 10 February 2016: Shirley McCay: Playing Hockey for Ireland
Shirley was introduced by Probus Vice-President, John McCandless, who began by congratulating her on being the most capped Irish sports person ever, having played hockey for Ireland 214 times. She proudly displayed her 200th Cap and the shirt which she wore in her 200th game and passed around her scrapbook. She paid tribute to Miss Mary Swan, Head of Girls P.E. in Omagh Academy who had inspired her. As Captain of Hockey, Shirley had led her team to victory in the Senior Schools Cup and gone on to win the All-Ireland Cup. Shirley won her first Senior Cap, aged 18 while a student at the University of Ulster, in a match against Canada. It was the beginning of an international career which took her to countries all over the world. Her only real disappointments came when Ireland twice just failed to qualify for the Olympics in London 2012 and Rio 2016. She currently plays for “Old Alex” in Dublin and works as a Talent Coach for Uster Hockey, in which capacity she continues to meet her many palls in Omagh Ladies and visit her old school where she remains an inspiration and role model. Having answered many questions she was warmly thanked by Probus member, Wilbour Knox.