A year to remember for the Tyrone Ladies

A year to remember for Tyrone

A
new era dawned in Tyrone ladies football last week
as Mary Connelly stepped down from the chairmanship
of the County Board after ten years in office. The
affable Augher woman who was described by delegates
at the central council as the ” wee woman from Tyrone
who is always smiling” has decided to call it a
day after virtually living and breathing the association
in the last decade. Mary however, didn’t get away
that easy as she was installed as the first Honorary
President of the Tyrone County Board at the recent
convention. In her final address to convention the
outgoing Chairperson thanked all those who had helped
her through the years and indeed touched on the
many high spots that have stood out in the ten years
and too she had a moment of reflection when she
talked of those who had passed away and the sad
events of August 1998. An emotional end then to
ten superb years as the figure head of ladies football
in the county and certainly she has done a lot to
integrate the men’s and womens game in Tyrone.

Ann Marie Meehan takes the reigns and has promised
to take on the role with both hands attempting to
steer the course set out by her illustrious predecessor.
From the Agyharan club Ann Marie had worked on the
fixtures last year and was elected unopposed. The
Convention itself proved once again that ladies
football in the county is as vibrant as ever, 99%
of the clubs were represented and heard a detailed
Secretary’s report from Theresa Kelly who remains
in the post for another term.

In her report the Secretary pointed out many of
the achievements over 2005 which included the new
county website, the u-14s winning the All Ireland
blitz, the u-16s Ulster blitz victory and of course
provincial finals for the seniors and minors, there
was also a note of caution too as the association
aims to work to higher standards. The secretary
wants clubs to play a more active part in the day
to day running of football with a marketing committee
and development committee two of the items that
will be brought forward in the coming year.

In terms of new faces at the top table, Anniotte
McCusker comes in as assistant treasurer while Eileen
Connolly was confirmed as assistant Secretary, Ann
Marie Meehan moves to chair while Leslie Murphy
leaves the executive to take a main role at her
Moy club, as far as the other positions go, its
as you were.

As always there was plenty of discussion over motions
and recommendations, the Under 12 grade will revert
back to a league system again with Under 10s remaining
in the blitz format, other proposals will see knock-out
stages in all underage grade one leagues, a new
B championship in the senior grade and the introduction
of a second An Carraig mhor team to division three.
I Its expected that 13 teams will compete in the
junior grade in 2006, 9 each in the intermediate
and senior competitions. Clubs were also asked to
forward names for a MUST DO fundamentals course
planned for new club coaches and officials who will
take charge of teams, The date has now been confirmed
for February 12th with most likely two venues. The
point of contact is Eileen Jones and she can be
called on 02887727489 on or before January 3oth.

The County presentation night goes ahead in The
Village Inn Killyclogher this Friday from 8pm, all
the cups and trophies will be handed out with this
also marking Mary Connollys last official role as
chair of 2005. So another year reflected on and
plenty of real optimism for 2006. At time of going
to press there was a possibility Tyrones opening
national league tie was going to be brought forward
to this weekend.Tyrone are due to play….Armagh.

2005 A YEAR TO REMEMBER

Overall 2005 will be remembered for several reasons,
it was the year that promised so much in inter county
football yet delivered little, it was the year of
the double as far as many of the league and championships
were concerned and it was a year that saw the new
Tyrone Ladies website launched and grow into one
of the best in ladies football circles.

When you take time to look over 2005 it indeed was
a year of growth and development of the Ladies game
in Tyrone and throughout the province and beyond,
2006 though must see that development being raised
to a new level. The website for Tyrone ladies proved
to be a massive success story of the past year,
Niall McSorley has been a tremendous support and
the plans are in place to make the site more interactive
and bigger in the coming months, The Ulster senior
final was televised on The Championship this was
a massive boost for the game in the province and
indeed a perfect marketing opportunity for our sponsors
Strathroy Dairies.