Leitrim footballer named Lady of Erne

A Dublin girl whose family moved to Co. Leitrim when she was just seven years of age, was crowned the 2009 Lady of the Erne in the palatial setting of the expansive Erne Suite at the Slieve Russell Hotel on last Friday night. Aoife Kelly (23) told The Anglo-Celt that is was one of the happiest moments of her life when she emerged the winner before a packed audience who all appreciated a wonderful night's entertainment. Aoife explained that she was absolutely shocked when her name was announced by the chairperson of the judging panel, Collette Quinn. "There were 17 girls, very talented girls, and it must have been a very difficult job for the judges. It is just an honour to win - I did not realise it was such a big contest." On stage with Paul Clarke from UTV, Aoife was coolness personified and won over the audience with her relaxed and natural personality. Her party piece, 'Ach No', written by Percy French really showcased her delightful personality. Aoife said she was delighted to win and it was a great honour. Her family moved down from Dublin to Leitrim in 1994 when she was only seven years of age. The vivacious Aoife who plays wing half forward on the ladies football team with Leitrim says she could definitely apply for her Leitrim passport at this stage. They won the All-Ireland two years ago and are hoping to emulate that success again this year. The new Lady of the Erne has completed five years in Cavan Institute and completed courses in sports and recreation and then moved onto sports therapy and massage. This dynamic lady also completed a two-year beauty therapy course. Aoife is currently working in a sports therapy/massage centre at College Street in Cavan and the boss there is Bernie Ruddy. Her late mother Mary passed away four years ago, aged just 46, following a heart attack. Brave Aoife did her first year exams the day after her mother was buried. "This victory here tonight is for my mother - she was looking down on me here and I'm sure she is very proud of me." Aoife has one older sister Louise who works as a nurse in Sligo and younger brother Zach and her father Andrew, resides in Dublin. She has ambitions to travel later but for now Aoife is concentrating on her career. The new Lady of the Erne received an amazing array of prizes including €1,500 sponsored by Quinn Direct Insurance and €1,250 in fashion sponsored by Joseph Ribkoff in conjunction with Jezann's Boutique. There was also specially commissioned jewellery courtesy of Kate Nee at Absolute Jewellery. There was also Cavan Crystal and Belleek Pottery, together with a number of other excellent prizes. Other ladies for the region competing for the Lady of the Erne crown include: Lisa Murphy, Monaghan; Aoife Flynn, east Cavan; Yvonne Sommerville, south Fermanagh; Maria Higgins, Enniskillen; Grainne Fleming, west Cavan; Hannah Pamflett, Cavan town and Maria Fitzpatrick, Belturbet. A lot of credit must go to the team of people who organised the Lady of the Erne contest this year namely the dynamic director of the Lady of the Erne Contest, Brendan Fay; Nuala Corrigan, secretary; Mark Leonard, Northern area organiser; and Marie Hoare, Southern area organiser. The director of the contest Brendan Fay said it was absolutely fantastic to see the contest attracting girls from the four corners of the country. The judges for the contest were: Collette Quinn, Kate Nee, Patricia McCauley, Rory McGuirk, and Ciaran Fay.