Glinsk Ladies Football All Ireland Junior Seven a Side Shield Champions

Glinsk Ladies footballers celebrated All Ireland Glory last weekend when they won the All Ireland Junior Seven a Side Shield. Having won the Connacht seven a side title in July and fresh from winning the County Junior C Championship two weeks ago the girls are currently going from strength to strength.

Over the one day event in St. Sylvesters GAA grounds Dublin, the panel of 12 played a total of six games each lasting twenty to twenty five minutes. The smaller pitch size means this is a very fast paced and physically demanding game and so while only 7 players can be on the playing field at any time, there is no limit to the amount of substitutions that can take place. This means that all 12 members of the team have an important role to play with players alternating regularly.

Glinsk got off to a great start defeating Midleton of Cork and continued on with a victory in the next game against Scoil Uí Chonaill. Having been beaten by Drumlane of Cavan who finished group winners Glinsk now had to beat Dublin Club Thomas Davis in order to progress beyond the qualifier stages. Despite being a point down at half time, Glinsk were victorious on the narrowest of margins winning by a single point and thus qualifying for the shield semi final.
Here, Glinsk saw off the challenge of Tipperary team Ardfinnan and secured a place in the final. Glinsk now took on Carrigtwohill of Cork in what was a very close first half. The teams were neck and neck for part of the game, however the Glinsk Girls showed superior skill, determination and pace in the second half and pulled ahead to become All Ireland Shield winners on a scoreline of 3-9 to 3-2.

The Glinsk team showed great versatility with all players adapting well to new positions throughout the field when required. Hannah Hannant got off to a good start in goal but had to be replaced because of an injury during the third game. Forward Lisa Nolan and mid fielder Emma Curley stepped up to the challenge and each spent some time between the posts as well as this they both had excellent games outfield adding to the tally of goals and points . Andrea Curley, Miriam Cuddy, Denise Ward and Tanya Curley alternated in defence and sometimes to midfield, they not only put in some fine tackles but also moved forward to begin the attack and contribute scores themselves.
Glinsk mid fielder Lisa Ward injected great pace into the game as well as plenty of scores. Roisin O’ Brien played some lovely football throughout. The forwards showed their adaptability as they were often pulled into defensive roles. Donna Timothy, Laura Scanlon and Brigid Barlow all showed their shooting skills to great effect clocking up plenty of goals and points between them.

This was a special and historic victory for the parish and despite the late return from Dublin the bonfires blazed all the way from Creggs to Glinsk with the team bus stopping regularly to show the cup to the many supporters. Thanks to team manager, Shane Curley, to the entire Glinsk Ladies Football Panel who travelled to the game and to the many supporters who helped the girls to welcome home the All Ireland Shield on Saturday night. Congratulations also to both Caltra and Milltown Ladies who too brought home silverware ensuring that three of the six cups won on the day made their way to County Galway.

Team Photo
Back row left to right- Hannah Hannant, Brigid Barlow, Roisin O’
Brien, Laura Scanlon, Denise Ward, Tanya Curley, Shane Curley, Donna Timothy Front Row left to right- Lisa Nolan, Andrea Curley, Lisa Ward, Miriam Cuddy, Emma Curley