Sorrow swept across the county with the tragic news that Laois' Lulu Carroll lost her courageous battle with cancer at the age of 35 and passed away at her home in Rankins Wood, Portlaoise. The former inter-county footballer, and one of the county's real sporting legends, died despite extensive treatment for over four years, surrounded by her loving husband Ozzie Dunne and her family. Her efforts to battle her illness mirrored her commitment to club and county on the field. An all Ireland medal winner with Laois, Lulu Carroll played football for the county until she could do so no more - and then immersed herself in the running of the game at every level. She was an All Star, and won every honour in the game with her beloved Laois and her club Timahoe. A very popular employee of KWS, which is owned by her uncle Eamon Sheehan, Lulu was very well known amongst the business community of Portlaoise as a woman of integrity and fairness. Her fellow workers delighted in her exploits - remember the KWS beetle which stormed Dublin on many an occasion in support of the ladies. Ladies Football Chairperson Marie Hickey was a close friend of Lulu's. "Its a big shock, remember just a week ago Lulu was on the sideline, a key member of our management team. We all knew she was not very well. Her contribution to the sport in Laois and to the image of the county is immeasurable. "Apart from her undoubted playing talents she had two very special attributes. She made everyone on a team feel part of it, everyone was welcome. And she was also great at identifying weaknesses in a team, she was direct, she called a spade a spade. She got the best out of people." From playing for Laois, to managing club and county teams, to being one of the more active fundraisers in the county, Lulu Carroll gave her all for ladies football. The All Star and All Ireland medal winner received a Presidents GAA Award last March to recognise that, personally presented by the President Nicky Brennan. Up to four years ago, she remained on the Laois panel as a sub goalie, and she kept battling to the end. "The time and effort she gave to ladies football was incredible. I will always remember the goal she scored against Monaghan in the All Ireland final, a free from out the field went all the way to the net and we levelled the game, brought it to a replay. She was an exceptional talent," added the ladies football chairperson. Last year, Lulu an former team mate and goalkeeper Theresa Swayne were in charge of the minors. She worked incredibly hard with the up and coming talent in her own club. Her father Michael Carroll, was a former ladies football selector - indeed on the management that brought home the All-Ireland trophy of 2001. Lulu was an inspirational character. Sue Ramsbottom and Lulu terrorised defences for Laois and Timahoe - indeed they broke Crettyard's monopoly on the county crown in the '90s. Those familiar with the rivalry today on the ladies football scene always got a kick out of Lulu heading off to support Crettyard, when Timahoe were not in contention, as she offered words of encouragement to her niece Natalie Carroll. In the '90's, Lulu Carroll's name was synonymous with Laois football. It was mentioned with the same admiration as the likes of Hughie Emmerson, Tony Maher, Leo Turley. She played midfield but mainly half of full forward, was unstoppable in possession and preferred to pass rather than shoot. She was a key team player for Laois in her prime, won All Stars and attained every honour the game had to honour - culminating with an All-Ireland medal in 2001. County Chairman Dick Miller, also a local councillor in the area, expressed his deepest sympathy with the Carroll family. "All of us in Timahoe have followed Lulu's playing career and took great pride in her outstanding achievements. She was a great sportsperson, and her entire family are steeped in the GAA. Michael, her father is a former chairman of the club, and her uncle tommy is also a very active member." Lulu's death is deeply mourned by her husband Ozzie Dunne, her parents Michael and Angela, her brothers Michael, Damien, Fergal and Enda, her sisters Emir, Angie and Brid, uncles, aunts, cousins, GAA colleagues and her many friends. She is predeceased by her brother Martin. The last words go to Marie Hickey. "No one could attempt to measure what Lulu Carroll was to Ladies Football in Laois. She was part of the soul of it." Laois ladies football manager Pat Critchley paid tribute to Lulu Carroll, her role as a fellow member of the ladies senior football management and also her sporting prowess which won so many fans nationwide. The All-star hurler begins. "We have lost Lulu Carroll. We have lost an iconic Laois personality who was known and loved by so many people throughout the country and beyond. "She had an independent spirit yet a kind and generous one that touched so many hearts. Lulu was a Loais star that shone so brightly with her bubbly personality that she inspired and enthused all those who fell under her rays. "She had a great love for Laois, for football for Laois ladies football. If there is anyone more passionate about it than Lulu I have yet to meet them. A tremendous player she was very proud of her achievements, especially the All-Ireland win of 2001 and worked tirelessly for others to have that experience. "It was a privilege to have known and been a friend to Lulu for many years and to have worked closely with her as part of the Laois ladies management for the past two years. Lulu wanted to withdraw from the management team because she felt that due to her illness she would let us down. I told her that Lulu Carroll would never let Laois or Laois ladies down. "The last two years have been an incredible journey despite difficult times. Apart from the winning and losing, Lulu loved being with the team, plotting, planning, cajoling but also enjoying the banter, slagging and fun. I think it gave her a boost and kept her going but it also inspired us to redouble our efforts. "It will always be a treasured memory that the last time I spoke to Lulu was on a Laois sideline. for her to be on that sideline was, in itself, an incredible feat of courage and spirit. "She fought to stay for the last game and soon after, she fought for her last breath with the same steely determination she had shown all her life. "The greatest concern Lulu had as the end neared was not for herself but for her parents, her family and especially her loving husband Ozzie. Our thoughts and prayers are with them." Courtesy of The Leinster Express. 29 August, 2007. Tweet

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