“I’d Never Played Football… Now I’ve Played GAA in New York”: Cork Mum Maeve Dennehy Says Mothers & Others Changed Everything

“If you told me three years ago I’d be in New York with the Ballyhea football team, I would have laughed in your face.”

If you think Gaelic football is only for people who’ve played since they were five years old, or that joining a club in your 40s is somehow “too late”, then Ballyhea woman Maeve Dennehy wants a word.

The Cork native, originally from the city’s north side, had never played football in her life before joining Ballyhea Mothers & Others. Camogie, yes. Football, absolutely not.

Fast forward a few years and Maeve has gone from nervously turning up to her first training session wondering if she’d even be able to kick a ball, to running in Central Park and travelling to New York with her football team.

And according to Maeve, it all started because a friend basically gave her no choice.

“It was actually my friend Louise who decided to set it up, so I had no choice really,” she laughs. “Her husband came training us and it was honestly one of the best things I ever did.”

Maeve has been living in Ballyhea for around 17 years after moving from Cork city with her husband Stephen. She is also the owner of the hugely successful Love Cherish boutique in Charleville, which has become one of Cork’s best-known fashion destinations.

While settling into country life took time, she says joining Mothers & Others brought a whole new sense of belonging.

For anyone unfamiliar, Mothers and Others is exactly what it sounds like. Women of all ages and abilities coming together to play football, get active and have the craic.

And the age range might surprise people.

“On our team we have women from about 27 to 65,” Maeve says. “It’s such a mix of ages.”

You also don’t have to be sporty.

Or even a mum.

“You definitely don’t have to be a mum to join, that’s where the ‘Others’ part comes in,” she explains.

“Do you have to be sporty? Absolutely not. It’s hilarious. We’re such a mix.”

That seems to be the theme throughout talking to Maeve. Yes, there’s football involved, but underneath it all, it’s friendship, community and getting an hour a week that belongs to you.

For many women juggling children, work and life, that hour matters.

“I’m 46 and I love being able to tell the kids I’m off training,” she says.

“My kids come every Thursday night because they love it too. All the children are down there playing together. There’s a real community spirit.”

Maeve admits she was nervous turning up to her very first session.

“I was afraid I wouldn’t even be able to kick a football. It felt like starting a new job,” she says.

“But the minute I got out there, it was just craic”

That fear quickly turned into confidence.

Not only did Mothers & Others bring new friendships, it pushed Maeve outside her comfort zone in ways she never expected. After being selected for a trip to New York, part of the challenge involved completing a 5K in Central Park.

Now, somewhat unexpectedly, she’s signed up for a half marathon.

“For some weird reason I signed up for a half marathon this year,” she laughs. “That really wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for Mothers & Others.”

Then came New York.

Around twenty women from Ballyhea travelled over together and Maeve describes it simply as the trip of a lifetime.

Standing in Central Park singing the Irish National Anthem before their run became one of those moments she says she’ll never forget.

The funny memories sound just as important.

There were sing songs on buses, fancy dress, nights out with teams from all over Ireland and, apparently, photos somewhere of Ballyhea women standing in Times Square at 2am wearing full GAA gear.

“What goes on tour stays on tour,” Maeve laughs.

For her though, the biggest thing Mothers & Others has given isn’t New York or fitness.

It’s people.

“I’ve met so many people I probably would never have been friends with otherwise,” she says. “As you get older, your circle often becomes people very similar to yourself, so it’s great mixing with a whole new bunch and just having fun together.”

And if there’s one thing Maeve wants women who are nervous to know, it’s this:

“Go down there because every single person would be delighted to see somebody new joining. You’ll immediately feel welcomed.”

Because sometimes the thing that changes your life isn’t dramatic.

Sometimes it’s deciding, at 46, having never played football before, to throw on runners, head to training and give something new a go.

And occasionally, that decision ends with you in Times Square in full GAA gear wondering how on earth you ended up there.