Ladies Gaelic Football Association celebrates 50th anniversary

THE Ladies Gaelic Football Association is today celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The Association was founded on July 18, 1974, at Hayes’ Hotel in Thurles.

The Tipperary town is also the venue for today’s celebrations, with exhibition games at FBD Semple Stadium to be followed by a special event at The Dome.

Marty Morrissey will MC this event, which will feature a presentation on the history of the LGFA by UCD PhD student, Hayley Kilgallon.

Past and present LGFA administrators, along with former players, will also feature in panel discussions.

The day’s activities will get underway from 11am, with Gaelic4Mothers&Others and underage teams led onto the FBD Semple Stadium sod by piper, Gerard Neville, followed by a fun warm-up conducted by former Cork player, Orlagh Farmer.

Games will commence at 11.30am and finish at 2pm, with the celebratory event in The Dome commencing at 4pm.

Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne, will address the gathering, along with Uachtarán Cumann Peil Gael na mBan, Mícheál Naughton, and Cathaoirleach Comhairle na Mumhan, Ger Ryan.

Looking ahead to the event, LGFA President, Mícheál Naughton, commented: “50 years ago, at Hayes Hotel in Thurles town, our Association officially came into being.

“What a journey we’ve been on for the last half a century and last Sunday at Croke Park, the sport of Ladies Gaelic Football was one of four practices granted formal State recognition as part of Ireland’s living cultural heritage. 

“Today, we’ll be looking at key milestones throughout our Association’s rich history and we’ll be joined by so many people who have played key roles along the way, including former Association Presidents, county board officials, founding members of the Association, legendary players from across LGFA history, and sponsors.

“That small group of people who got together on the 18^th of July, 1974, to set up the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, surely could never have imagined the journey that would follow.

“Those firsts include the introduction of our various competitions down through the years – and those firsts include the breaking down of so many barriers.

“More recent times have also seen incredible growth at grassroots levels with our thriving development initiatives, including Gaelic4Mothers&Others, winner of a prestigious award recently, Gaelic4Teens and Gaelic4Girls, all now proudly sponsored by LGFA partners.

“On the playing fields, we’ve been treated to countless magical moments. There have been eras of dominance, breakthrough moments, legendary players celebrated and inducted into our Hall of Fame.

“Today is a day to cherish and to celebrate all that is good about Ladies Gaelic Football.”

The LGFA’s 50^th anniversary falls two days before the 2024 TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-finals.

Next Saturday, at Glenisk O’Connor Park in Tullamore, Cork, Galway, Armagh and Kerry will battle it out for two coveted final slots at Croke Park on Sunday, August 4.

Fermanagh and Louth will contest the 2024 TG4 All-Ireland Junior Final, while Leitrim and Tyrone will go head to head for Intermediate honours.