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Gina, the iconic voice of Gina & the Champions, whose sound intersected showband, pop and “middle of the road” music, has been named Cork Person of the Month for June. The award celebrates her extraordinary 50-year career in the Irish music industry and her significant contributions to Ireland’s musical landscape.

Born Mary Hurley and raised in Friars Walk in Cork City, Gina’s journey to stardom began when her father, recognising her natural talent in school and church choirs, secretly replied to an advertisement in the Evening Echo looking for a female singer to join a new band. At just 19 years old, and with the encouragement of her sister, Gina auditioned in Whitegate and soon after Gina, Dale Haze and the Champions were formed.

The band, with Ballycotton roots, went on to become a national favourite throughout the 1970s and 80’s right up to now, amassing record attendances at dances and concerts, featuring regularly on The Late Late Show, and gaining a string of hits including The Greatest Lover, Give Me Back My Love, and Dreams are Good Friends. The band’s success was also rewarded with numerous industry accolades down the years, including Gina being voted Ireland’s Number 1 Pop Female Singer on multiple occasions.

Despite the passing in 2020 of her long-time co-vocalist Jerdi Mackey, better known as Dale Haze, Gina has continued to perform and entertain to this day as part of Gina & The Champions. The band recently celebrated over half a century in music with sell-out shows at Cork Opera House, and they are also set to perform shows at the INEC in Killarney over the summer months.

The legendary Joe McCarthy, better known as Joe Mac of The Dixies and Stage 2, was present to make the award presentation. Joe, a legendary drummer, musician and comedian, who continues to pursue a solo career at the age of 90, received the Supreme Cork Award at last January’s Cork Persons of Year Annual Gala Awards Lunch.

Accepting her Cork Person of the Month award, Gina said: “It’s a true honour to be recognised by my fellow Corkonians as a Cork Person of the Month and to join the esteemed list of past and future recipients.”

“I accept this award also on behalf of the band, my husband Pat Walsh, Mossey Walsh, Eddie Fitzgerald, Tony Hornibrook and, of course, the late Jerdi Mackey", she said.

Awards Organiser Manus O’Callaghan praised her legacy: “Gina is a true legend of the Irish showband scene and a quintessential part of Cork culture. For five decades, she, along with the fantastic Champions, has brought joy to people up and down the country while remaining deeply connected to her Cork roots. She embodies the spirit of artistry and authenticity that we love in Cork, and it is a privilege to honour her immense contribution to Cork’s musical heritage with this award.”

Gina’s name will now go forward alongside the other monthly winners for possible selection as Cork Person of the Year at the Annual Gala Awards Lunch on January 29th, 2027 at The Metropole Hotel.

POP MUSIC LEGEND GINA IS JUNE CORK PERSON OF THE MONTH. Pictured as Gina of Gina and the Champions received her Cork Person of the Month award were front (L/R): Pat Walsh, Gina’s husband and band member; 90 year old showband icon Joe Mac of Dixies fame who made the presentation; Gina, Cork Person of the Month; Paul McCarthy. Rear (L/R): Manus O’Callaghan, Awards Organiser; Tina Quinn, AM O’Sullivan PR; Louise McNamara, The Metropole Hotel; Anthony O’Donovan. Pic by Vitaliy Makhnanov.

Photo Credit: All About Us Video

Gina and the Champions