One of six children born to Myles Lee, a family renowned for its intellectual capacity and musical talent, she was reared in Mainguard St. Galway. Galway city and university where she spent 45 years teaching are very dear to her heart.
Dr. Lee became President of U.C.G Camogie Club (as it was known then) in 1965, a position she holds to this day, thirty-six years on. Even though UCG captured the Ashbourne many times during those years (�68, �78, �89, �90, and �94) the emphasis was never on winning but on participation. Effort was as important and as valued as was commitment and not letting the side down. The participation, the interaction, the meeting with people of different backgrounds, religion and language from the length and breadth of Ireland � this is what the Intervarstities were all about, not just the pursuit of All-Ireland glory (even though when it came it was enjoyed to the hilt!)
February 1990 I found myself back in Belfast again, this time with Nellie. Now her sense of fun and craic came to the fore. It was mighty. The wine, song and dance � Nellie enjoyed and savoured it all. It was a treat and a privilege to be with her. She told stories and yarns about the players past and present. She remembered little details about people � the points they scored, the shots they missed, whether they had a good first or second half, what they did when they left college. My mind boggled at all she knew and my heart was touched by how much she obviously cared about all those girls who had been involved in camogie at UCG.
2001 AD. Nellie is still invaluable. Thank you Nellie from all of us past and present. May God mind you and bless you. We love you.
Eileen Scanlon. |
