AIB Crowned First Interfirms Cup Champions

The sun shone down in Naomh Mearnóg in Portmarnock for the inaugural LGFA Interfirms Tournament and everyone was treated to an exciting day of football right up until the final whistle as it took 30m kicks to seperate the teams in both the Cup and Shield Finals.

The 9 companies that took part were Accenture, AIB, Arthur Cox, An Garda Síochána, Intel, Irish Prison Service, Lidl, Pramaceria and Pallas Foods with The Irish Prison Service and Pramerica fielding two teams. 

The 7 a side tournament seen the 11 teams split into 2 groups with the top team from each group going forward to contest the final and the 2 teams that finished second in their groups contesting the shield final.

The tournament attracted some of our county stars including Limerick legend, Dympna O’Brien and Cork’s All Ireland winner, Annie Walsh playing with AIB. Current Westmeath star, Laura Brennan was joined by Galway’s Joanna Connolly and Mayo legend; Martha Carter as they line out for An Garda Síochána to name a few, whilst Lidl included Donegal star; Roisin Friel and former Cavan captain Gráinne McGlade. 

It was AIB and An Garda Síochána that progressed to the Cup Final and what an exciting game that was. The teams were level at half time and it looked as if AIB had done enough as they crept two points in front with a few minutes left but An Garda Síochána held their nerve and came back to level the game. Time was up and it would take 30m kicks to seperate the teams. In the end it was to be AIB’s day as Dymphna O’Brien kicked the winning point between the posts. 

In the Shield Final, our sponsors Lidl Ireland faced The Irish Prison Service and were looking too strong in the first half but the tables turned in the second half as the Prison Service battled back to bring the game to a draw and once again it would take 30m kicks to find a winner. It was to be the perfect end to the day for the Irish Prison Service as the final kick sailed over the bar and they claimed the crown of first LGFA Interfirms Shield Champions. 

LGFA President Marie Hickey presented the trophies to the champions and medals to the runners up and thanked everyone for their involvement on the day. ‘The day was a huge success and we would like to thank all players, mentors, referees and volunteers for making this happen. We hope we can build on this in the future and look forward to having all teams involved again.’

We would like to thank Naomh Mearnóg for once again having their facilities in top condition and for their support and assistance as always. We look forward to 2018!