Lá Náisiúnta Blitz na gClub Gaeltachta is a big hit as 20 clubs and schools sample Croke Park experience

20 clubs and schools took part in the Ladies Gaelic Football Association’s very first Lá Náisiúnta Blitz na gClub Gaeltachta, in association with championship sponsors TG4.

 

On Easter Monday (April 2), Lá Náisiúnta Blitz na gClub Gaeltachta saw U12 girls played a series of non-competitive games at Croke Park, while also getting the opportunity to mingle with some of Ladies Football’s leading stars.

 

Dublin’s Sinéad Finnegan, Sinead Goldrick, Éabha Rutledge, Muireann Ní Scanaill, Martha Byrne and Niamh Collins were all present to deliver talks ‘as gaeilge’ to interested young players, along with Meath ace Vikki Wall and Aisling Byrne from Laois.

 

Lá Náisiúnta Blitz na gClub Gaeltachta was part of the LGFA’s ongoing initiatives to celebrate Bliain na Gaeilge.

 

Details of TG4’s 2018 championship coverage, with 19 fixtures due for broadcast, were revealed recently, as the LGFA and TG4 also unveiled a logo bearing the words ‘Peil na mBan.’

 

Clubs and schools from Kerry, Galway, Mayo, Donegal, Cork, Dublin and Kildare braved the weather conditions to produce some sparkling football on the day.

 

The LGFA’s official retail partner and National League sponsor Lidl was also on hand to provide lunches to the various teams, while the players received LGFA goody bags on departure.

 

Lidl also assisted with the coordination of the day through the provision of mentor bibs and the presence of Lidl ambassadors.

 

LGFA CEO Helen O’Rourke commented: “This was a hugely memorable day for the 20 clubs and schools with Irish-speaking backgrounds, who were present at Croke Park as part of our ongoing efforts to mark Bliain na Gaeilge.  

 

“This was yet another exciting initiative for our Association and it was heartwarming to see the players enjoy their day out at Croke Park.

 

“Despite the rain, the teams produced some wonderful football and judging by the talent on show, this won’t be the last time that we’ll see many of them playing at Croke Park.

 

“I’d like to acknowledge the continued support of our championship sponsors, TG4, and the support provided on the day by Lidl.  

 

“I’d also like to credit the outstanding work carried out by members of the LGFA development team in the organisation of this special day, and a word of thanks also to the mentors of the various teams.

 

“The ongoing celebrations of Bliain na Gaeilge are very important to us and this unique event at Croke Park celebrated the Irish language through the medium of Ladies Gaelic Football.”

 

TG4 Head of Sport Rónán Ó Coistealbha commented: “TG4 are very proud to be associated with this initiative with the LGFA.

 

“2018 is Bliain na Gaeilge and this Blitz was a fantastic opportunity for young girls representing Gaeltacht Clubs from all over the country to grace the hollowed turf of Croke Park, speaking the Irish Language.”

 

“We are proud of TG4’s sponsorship and broadcasting of Ladies Gaelic Football since 2001 and we have another exciting year ahead of us with the upcoming Lidl League Finals and the TG4 Championships.”

 

The clubs and schools who took part were as follows:

 

Corca Dhuibhne           Kerry
An Cheathrú Rua         Galway
An Spidéal                      Galway
Achill LGFA                     Mayo
Gleann Fhinne                   Donegal
Tuar Mhic Éadaigh               Mayo
Carna Caiseal                   Galway
Mícheal Breathnach               Galway
Naomh Abán                      Cork
Grainne Mhaol                    Galway
Daingean Uí Chúis                Kerry
Caisleán Ghriaire                Kerry
Naomh Anna Leitir Móir          Galway
Naomh Columba            Donegal
Bearna                          Galway
Annaghdown                      Galway
Baile Chláir na Gaillimhe       Galway
Scoil Neasáin                   Dublin
Gaelscoil Cholmcille            Dublin
Gaelscoil Chill Dara            Kildare

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Ghlac 20 club agus scoil páirt sa gcéad Lá Náisiúnta Blitz na gClubanna Gaeltachta de chuid Pheil na mBan a eagraíodh i gcomhar leis na hurraitheoirí sraithe TG4.

 

Luan Cásca (2 Aibreán), d’imir cailíní F12 sraith neamhiomaíoch cluichí ar Pháirc an Chrócaigh mar chuid de Lá Náisiúnta Blitz na gClubanna Gaeltachta agus chas le roinnt de realtaí peile Pheil na mBan.

 

Bhí Sinéad Finnegan, Sinead Goldrick, Éabha Rutledge, Muireann Ní Scanaill, Martha Byrne agus Niamh Collins Bhaile Átha Cliath i láthair chun cainteanna a thabhairt i nGaeilge do na himreoirí óga chomh maith le sárimreoir na Mí Vikki Wall agus Aisling Byrne Laoise.

 

Eagraíodh Lá Náisiúnta Blitz na gClubanna Gaeltachta mar chuid d’imeachtaí leanúnacha LGFA chun Bliain na Gaeilge a cheiliúradh.

 

Fógraíodh sonraí faoin gclúdach a dhéanfaidh TG4 ar shraith 2018 le déanaí, ina bhfuil 19 gcluiche le craoladh, chomh maith le lógó nua an LGFA a bhfuil na focail ‘Peil na mBan’ air.

 

Thug clubanna agus scoileanna as Ciarraí, Gaillimh,  Tír Chonaill, Corcaigh agus Cill Dara aghaidh ar an aimsir chun peil den chéad scoth a imirt ar an lá.

 

Chuir Lidl, páirtí oifigiúil miondíola an LGFA agus urraitheoir na Sraithe Náisiúnta, lón ar fáil do na foirne éagsúla, agus fuair na himreoirí málaí féiríní ar imeacht.

 

Chuidigh Lidl freisin le himeachtaí a chomhordú ar an lá trí bhibeanna a chur ar fáil do mheantóirí agus ambasadóirí Lidl a bheith ar an láthair. 

 

Dúirt Príomhfheidhmeannach LGFA Helen O’Rourke:  “Ba lá mór amach agus amach a bhí anseo don 20 club agus scoil Gaeilge a d’imir ar Pháirc an Chrócaigh mar chuid den obair leanúnach atá ar bun againn le Bliain na Gaeilge a chomóradh.

 

“Tionscnamh iontach eile a bhí ann don Chumann agus thógfadh sé do chroí na himreoirí a fheiceáil ag baint spraoi as a lá ar Pháirc an Chrócaigh.

 

“Ainneoin na báistí, d’imir na foirne go hiontach agus bunaithe ar an méid atá feicthe againn ní hé seo an uair deiridh ag go leor acu ag imirt ar Pháirc an Chrócaigh.

 

“Ba mhaith liom aitheantas a thabhairt don tacaíocht leanúnach a fhaighimid ó TG4, urraitheoirí na sraithe, agus an cúnamh a fuaireamar ó Lidl ar an lá. 

 

“Ba mhaith liom aitheantas a thabhairt freisin don obair mhór a rinne foireann forbartha an LGFA chun an ócáid speisialta seo a reáchtáil agus buíochas a ghlacadh le meantóirí na bhfoirne ar fad.

 

“Is mór againn an ceiliúradh leanúnach ar Bhliain na Gaeilge agus rinne an ócáid ar leith seo ar Pháirc an Chrócaigh ceiliúradh ar an teanga trí Pheil na mBan. 

 

Dúirt Ceannasaí Spóirt TG4 Rónán Ó Coistealbha: “Is ábhar bróid do TG4 baint a bheith againn leis an tionscnamh seo i gcomhar leis an LGFA.    Is í 2018 Bliain na Gaeilge agus ba dheis iontach a bhí sa Blitz seo do chailíní ó Chlubanna Gaeltachta ar fud na tíre imirt ar thalamh naofa Pháirc an Chrócaigh agus sin a dhéanamh ina dteanga féin.”

 

“Is cúis bhróid do TG4 urraíocht a dhéanamh ar Pheil na mBan ó 2001 agus na cluichí a chraoladh agus tá bliain mhór eile romhainn de chluichí ceannais shraith Lidl agus Shraitheanna TG4.”

 

Is iad na clubanna a bhí páirteach: 

 

Corca Dhuibhne           Ciarraí
An Cheathrú Rua         Gaillimh
An Spidéal                       Gaillimh
Achill LGFA                     Maigh Eo
Gleann Fhinne                   Dún na nGall
Tuar Mhic Éadaigh                Maigh Eo
Carna Caiseal                    Gaillimh
Mícheal Breathnach                Gaillimh
Naomh Abán                      Corcaigh
Gráinne Mhaol                     Gaillimh
Daingean Uí Chúis                Ciarraí
Caisleán Ghriaire                Ciarraí
Naomh Anna Leitir Móir           Gaillimh
Naomh Columba            Dún na nGall
Bearna                           Gaillimh
Eanach Dhúin                        Gaillimh
Baile Chláir na Gaillimhe        Gaillimh
Scoil Neasáin                   Baile Átha Cliath
Gaelscoil Cholmcille            Baile Átha Cliath
Gaelscoil Chill Dara           Cill Dara