It was a great honour for Lakewood Athletic to have our own Ger Cahill recognised for his Outstanding Contribution to Sport at the Cork City and County Youth Sports Awards.
Through Ger’s voluntary contribution to Ladies Soccer over the past 20 years, hundreds of female soccer players in Lakewood Athletic and also throughout Cork Womens Soccer have benefitted.
Ger Cahill being presented with a framed jersey by Lakewood Athletic Chairman Joe Dillion and Schoolgirls Aoife Kelliher. Presented for his outstanding vision, dedication and commitment to Lakewood Athletic FC
Ger started the Schoolgirls section in Lakewood in the early 2000’s, almost 20 years ago. Ger’s link to Lakewood was through the boys side, first coaching the U11 boys and his son Paul. With his daughters Gillian and Yvonne already playing he had the Vision to see the opportunity to start a girls academy in Lakewood.
By 2004 through Ger’s drive saw the club had a team in each age group U12, U14, U16 and U18. At times to keep it going he oversaw all 4 teams in training and matches.
As a coach he applied all his basketball coaching skills to the soccer pitch having previously coached Basketball in Fr. Matthews Club. Under his management Ger has won trophies at every age group in Schoolgirls and Senior level. For the past 20 years the girls section of the club has won honours every year.
Ger has done a huge amount of work off the pitch for Soccer in Cork. Over the years he has covered every committee role, chairperson, treasurer, fixtures secretary involved in committees in Lakewood and the Cork Womens and Schoolgirls Soccer League. Alongside his coaching role he spent hours organising tournaments for the benefit of female players throughout Cork
At the heart of everything he achieved was helping every player be the best that they good be and learn about being a better person. In accepting the Overall Contribution award Ger recognised all volunteers and coaches who put in hours week on week into developing young players in all Codes.
Under his guidance the club proudly can claim to have many girls who represented on Cork and Munster teams as well as 20+ Irish International representatives at U15, U17 and U19 and Senior.
Ger has dedicated his time for others to enjoy football and now Lakewood Athletic has grown to 150 females from ages 4 to over 35’s playing and enjoying the game. We are very proud to have the opportunity to recognise someone who has had such a positive impact in our community.
Thank you Ger!
