FIRST COUNTY TITLE FOR LGFA CLUB
There is no doubt but hard work and honest endeavour will always bear fruit despite the fact that some targets may seem at first unsurmountable. Despite small numbers, these young girls and their Mentors first tasted football as six and seven year olds. A good start is half the battle and they kept together and persevered and tasted some success and disappointments too. However, it was quite evident that they would prevail and better days and accolades lay ahead. 2023 would be the year of delivery.
UNDER 13 REGIONAL FINAL.
The Under 13 girls showed much promise and a huge amount of work was put in on the training field. They set their goals and winning the Regional Championship was the big target. They qualified for the semi-final and took on a very accomplished side in St. Michaels from Blackrock. True grit was the order of the day and when the final whistle blew Shamrocks were into the final match against Ballinhassig. On a very pleasant July evening the two South-east Teams journeyed to Manning Park Passage West accompanied by large groups of supporters. There was great anticipation about this final and winning was never going to be easy. On the night all the years and hours of coaching bore fruit and the girls in green led all the way finishing up winning on the scoreline 5-8 to 3-2. Joint Captains, Aoibheann Behan and Molly Geary accepted the winning trophy on behalf of their gallant team. The victory parade led the players and supporters home to Pairc Tadgh O’h-Ainnlaoi in Shanbally – truly a great night for all.
HISTORIC COUNTY GLORY FOR UNDER 14 GIRLS;
Moving up a grade to Under 14 saw another bold campaign to emulate the feat of the Under 13’s. It would transpire that nine of the successful Under 13 team would line out on the Under 14 side. No doubt they brought their experience of success with them and they set their minds on winning every game. They qualified for the County Semi- Final against St. Colmans and without fear and great zeal they were on top at the final whistle. Now we had a Ladies Football Team in The Shamrock colours contesting their very first County Final. Cloyne from East Cork would be our opponents.
All Roads let to Glenville on Sunday evening November 5th for the clash of Shamrocks from Carrigdhoun and Cloyne from Imokilly with Cathal McAllister from Midleton on the whistle. It was a first game under lights for our girls, but it would not impair their vision. Shamrocks had a panel of nineteen players at the ready with the favourites Cloyne fielding a panel of thirty one players. With a large crowd assembled, on the stroke of 5pm Cathal McAllister blew his whistle and the Girls Under 14 County Final was on its way. From the throw-in Shamrocks went on the offensive with star full forward Rebecca Collins sending a thundering shot to the Cloyne net. A great start, but the Cloyne girls were soon into the attack and bore down on the Shamrock goal. Brave and committed defending by the Shamrock backline thwarted many of their opponents initiatives. Cloyne had some excellent players but they were meeting their match. A second goal from Rebecca Collins put the brakes on Cloyne and at the break Shamrocks led 2-2 to 1-4.
The second half saw Cloyne score a point from the throw-in and everybody wondered if this was a signal of what lay in store for Shamrocks. Cloyne hit the Shamrock goal with waves of attacks but our brave and tenacious defenders were not for yielding and held their opponents scoreless for twenty nine minutes of the second half. Shamrocks finished much stronger and John Collins’s granddaughter, Rebecca completed her
hat-trick with a final and telling goal, ensuring victory. The Under 13 Joint Captains Molly Geary and Aoibheann Behan led the defence with great courage and zeal. Our six backs and ‘keeper excelled on this night of glory. Up front our forwards never yielded and made it a stressful night for the Cloyne defenders.
THE FINAL WHISTLE
Surely a welcome shrill, and signalling the Girls in green to be County Champions for 2023. Well done and many congratulations to all these wonderful young ladies who carried our proud and traditional colours with great pride in this the 125 Anniversary year of our Club. Joint Captains, Rebecca Collins and Ruby Lester would mount the podium to accept the County trophy amidst great excitement and celebration. A great night’s work and history was in the making on that November night in Glenville.
Well done and many accolades to the people who trained and coached this history making side. To Nick Lester, Darragh Collins and Nicole O’Neill we say, sincere thanks for your great and unselfish service to Club and Community.
The following are the Ladies Under 14, 2023 County Champions; Emma Feeney, Kate Nolan, Molly Geary, Georgia Bartlett, Adrianna Lannon, Aoibheann Behan, Isabel Dorney, Lilly O’Neill, Lexie O’Riordan, Lucy O’Neill, Ruby Lester, Lucy O’Brien, Caoimhe O’Mahony, Rebecca Collins, Caoimhe Spillane, Freya Hallworth, Lilysue O’Brien, Lucy Fitzpatrick Brady, Rosanna Long, Clodagh Deane, Ellie Tagg.
