Geraldine Heaney, whose parents Kathleen and Michael emigrated to Toronto, Canada 40 years ago, became one of the first women players to enter the Hall of Fame at a ceremony held in Quebec.

She was just nine months old when her parents left. She is regarded as one of the best female ice hockey players in the world.

Geraldine is head coach of the women's team at the University of Waterloo, Ontario. She feels strongly abouth the inclusion of women in the Hall of Fame.

She said: "It's great because now we're finally being recognised not only in our own country but worldwide.

"There are so many girls playing hockey , it's amazing. I really feel we need to promote the game worldwide.”

Geraldine began her unprecedented career with the Beatrice Aeros club of Toronto when she was 13.

She became the first player in the world to win seven consecutive championships titles and she capped her amazing career with a gold medal in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, after which she announced her retirement.

Her induction into the Hall of Fame was an emotional occasion made all the more poignant as she dedicated the achievement to her sister Catherine - who had died after a battle with cancer just two week's before.

Geraldine said: "She was planning to be here. It was great that this is in Canada so I could get my parents here to get their minds off it. It still doesn't seem real. “

Catherine was a Detective Sergeant with Peel Regional Police. In June 2006 Catherine - always highly respected, extremely popular and much loved by her family colleagues and friends - received the prestigious 'Torch Run Award of Honour' at the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Conference after dedicating hours of volunteer work to raise funds and awarness of the Torch Run programme in support of the Special Olympics. Catherine was a regular visitor to Northern Ireland and was always proud of her Irish roots.