Back in 1970, Kildare Ladies formed a club. Alice Quirke, Peggy Purcell and Martin Purcell were involved. Little is know how long they were formed. Again in 1982, the Curragh camp ladies got together to kick a ball about for a bit of fun in the gym field as most of the husbands and boyfriends were serving overseas with the Irish Army.

In just a short time, it began to get serious, as it transpired that some of the ladies were good at football. A trainer was got and things were taken serious. At this time young and old were training.

At this time also word was spreading and more ladies were kicking the ball around. Robertstown, Ellistown and Castledermot clubs were formed and games were organised. A lost of rivalry and great fun was had by all.

Early in 1983, the clubs got together and formed a county club, the chairperson was Mary Kennedy. Also on that committee were Mary Bastick, Ben Corcoran and wife, Jim Whelan, Eamon Fitzsimons, Mick Ennis and Billy Griffith. Matches were arranged and a county team was picked to represent Kildare in league and county matches. Some practice matches were set up between counties for a bit of experience, they beat Dublin. Laois came up to The Curragh for a match, but not much luck that time. The first big match out was Rochfordbridge, an away match, and they were beaten. Luck was never with them that year. They went down to Wexford and Laois, but gained a lot on the way. Each club had some prominent players, Geraldine Behan played for the Curragh and centrefield for the county, and went for the trails for the Leinster team, and got a turn there also. Una Kelly was also a member of the Curragh team.

Around that time the first of the lady soldiers were taken on in the Army and four of them also played with The Curagh, Castledermot, Ellistown and Robertstown had talented players also. The Curagh had an Under 16 side also and played a few games but underage games were hard to come by. The football in Kildare in this era went on for about 4 years and with students going to college, and young people getting married, interest was going out of football in Kildare. It has left great memories and lasting friendships.

Mary Bastick – EMO Portlaoise

Cumann Peil Gael Na mBan

Cill Dara

Kildare Ladies Football

History

The present County Board was set up in March 1992 under the Chairmanship of Catherine Donohoe. At that time there were two clubs playing in the county, Kilcock and Leixlip, and these were joined by the newly formed Eadestown club. With only three clubs in the county, progress was slow and special permission was granted by Leinster Council for Kilcock to continue to play in the Meath League, Eadestown to play in the Wicklow League and Leixlip to continue to play in the Dublin Underage League.

A Junior Ladies League was set up in Kildare with the three clubs participating. The county final was played on the 17th July in Sarsfield of Newbridge, between Kilcock and Eadestown, with Kilcock winning a great match after extra time. The referee was Michael Delaney from Leixlip.

Kildare entered teams in the Unior Championship, Under 16 Championship, the Under 14 Leinster Blitz and Under 14 All Ireland Blitz.

We met Meath in the Junior Ladies Championship in Dunshaughlin on the 3rd July and despite a good performance from an inexperienced squad, Meath proved worthy winners.

In the Under 16 Championship, we travelled to Enniscorthy on the 27th June to play Wexford. A very difficult draw for our first match. We matched the Wexford girls for the first three quarters of the game, their greater expertise and experience at this level overcame the flagging efforts of the Kildare girls, and they ran out easy winners.

Kildare entered a squad of 33 girls in the Under 14 Leinster Blitz in Newbridge on the 15th July and this had grown to two squads of 26 and 27 respectively, by the All Ireland Blitz in Tullamore on the 28th July. Two great days out and some valuable experience was gained.

1992 Board as follows:

Chairperson: Catherine Donohoe Kilmeague

Secretary: Rita Sargent Eadestown

Registrar: Linda O’Connor Kilcock

Treasurer: Linda O’Connor Kilcock

PRO Michael D Delaney

County Managers: Michael Fitzpatrick Eadestown

Brendan Dardis Kilcock

Michael Delaney Leixlip (U14 & U16)

First final in Sarsfield – Kilcock beat Eadestown.

Agnes Gorman: Secretary 1979 – 1984

Mick Fitz: President 1982

County Champions: Kilcock

(In Leinster Club, Kilcock won round 1, lost round 2.

Kildare had two Under 14 (57 players) squads in the All Ireland blitz competitions, 35 players at the Leinster one in Newbridge and 57 at the All Ireland in Tullamore, 70 having turned up for trials and seven training sessions having been held in a month.

The Under 16 competition was held in Wexford and a squad of 28 girls participated.

Kilcock won the county title and the first round of the Leinster Club Championship but lost in round 2.

County team Manager: Michael Fitzpatrick Eadestown.

1993 County Board:

Chairperson: Michael Delaney

Vice-Chairperson: Michael Fitzpatrick

Assistant Secretary: Mary Kennedy Eadestown

Secretary: Pat Delaney Leixlip

Registrar: Linda O’Connor Kilcock

Treasurer: Linda O’Connor Kilcock

PRO Vincent Hanley Carbury

Irish Language Officer: Ann Edgehill

Central Council Delegates: Michael Delaney

Pat Delaney

1993

In 1993 Colaiste Chiarain were nominated to represent Kildare and play in the Leinster PP College competition.

The county’s first national League game due on the 21st March away to Meath.

Also Home v Carlow 4/4

Home v Louth 18/4

Away v Offaly 25/4

Away v Tyrone 7/5

Away v Donegal 9/5

Home v Roscommon

Selectors for 1993:

Michael Delaney Vincent Hanley Tom Harrington Mick Fitzpatrick

(when available)

First Championship game, Kildare v Wicklow, set for 4/7/93 in Dunshaughlin.

Under 16: Kildare v Dublin 24/6/93

Under 14: Leinster Blitz 10/7 in Carlow

All Ireland Blitz: 27/7 in Tullamore

First National league season:

21st March Away v Meath

4th April Home v Carlow

18th April Home v Louth

25th April Home v Offaly

2nd May Away v Tyrone

9th May Away v Donegal

Home v Roscommon

1994

County Board as follows:

Chairperson: Michael Delaney

Vice-Chairperson: Michael Fitzpatrick

Assistant Secretary: Mary Kennedy-Fitzpatrick (to July)

Michael Delaney (September to December)

Secretary: Pat Delaney

Registrar: Linda O’Connor

Treasurer: Linda O’Connor

PRO Anne Edgehill

Central Council Delegates: Michael Delaney

Pat Delaney

Leinster Council Delegates: Michael Delaney

Pat Delaney

Rita Edwards (after Michael elected Leinster Officer)

County Manager: Michael Delaney

Selector: Pat O’Connor (Kilcock)

Leinster Officers: Michael Delaney Vice-President

Pat Delaney Assistant Secretary

Linda O’Connor Assistant Treasurer

Also a new position was created, that of County Development Officer. This post was filled by Enda Tourish, a PE teacher and member of the Monasterevan Club.

Already this season, there are two more clubs being formed and at least four more schools will be joining the Post Primary grades.

The work and achievements of the present County Board was reflected at the 1994 Leinster Convention, where Michael Delaney, Pat Delaney and Linda O’Connor were elected to the positions of Vice-President, Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer, respectively.

The County Board hope to build on the progress made in 1993 and continue to strengthen and expand Ladies football in Kildare.

By 1994, Clubs formed were, Athgarvan, Monasterevan, Robertstown, Clogherinkoe, Carbury, Castledermot, Confey, Eadestown, Kilcock, Maynooth, Springfield, Kill, Round Towers and Leixlip. Not all clubs play at all grades and the grades this coming season are Under 14, Under 16, Under 18 and Junior Ladies.

Schools presently competing are:

Schoil Mhuire Clane

Scoil Dara Kildare

Colaiste Chiarain Leixlip

Maynooth Post-Primary Maynooth

St Farnans Prosperous

Presentation Convent Kildare

St Pauls Monasterevan

Colaiste Lorcan Castledermot

Schools coming on line include:

Rathangan Post-Primary Rathangan

Holy Family Convent Newbridge

St Brigids Athy

Cross and Passion PP Kilcullen

St Conleths Newbridge

County Teams

In 1994 Kildare beat Carlow in Leinster Under 14 Championship, the first win for a Kildare team.

In 1994, Leinster Blitz, Kildare reached the final, beating Meath on the way. The only game the Meath Under 14 side lost in all year, having won Leinster and All Ireland finals. (Kildare also beat Waterford B, Laois and Wicklow).

In 1994, Junior League commenced with two divisions:

Division 1 Division 2

Kilcullen Clogher

Kill Castledermot

Eadestown Monasterevan

Round Towers Robertstown

Carbury Springfield

Coilaiste Chiarain, Leixlip win Kildare and Leinster Junior Post Primary titles.

Schools Leinster Championship

Senior: Kildare v Carlow in Carlow

Junior: Kildare v Wicklow in Wicklow

National:

Kildare v Offaly 20th March 1994

Lost all league games, average 7 players in training, withdrew from Leinster Championship.

Minors played Wexford, squad of 25, Wexford won.

Under 16 also lost to Wexford

Under 14 beat Carlow. First Kildare Championship win.

1995

County Board as follows:

Chairperson: Michael Delaney

Vice-Chairperson: Tom Harrington Round Towers

Secretary: Pat Delaney

Assistant Secretary: Mary Kennedy-Fitzpatrick

Registrar: Pat Delaney

Treasurer: Linda O’Connor (to 25th September)

Barbara Delaney (from 25th September)

Irish Language Officer: Anne Edgehill

Central Council Delegates: Michael Delaney

Pat Delaney

Leinster Council Delegates: Michael Delaney

Pat Delaney

Central Office: Michael Delaney (Chair, National fixtures committee)

Michael Delaney (Chair Video Skills Committee)

Leinster Office: Pat Delaney (Assistant Secretary)

Did not play in National League.

Played in Leinster Junior, Minor, Under 16 and Under 14 Championships without success.

Linda O’Connor had been Leinster Officer in 1994

Michael Delaney not seeking re-election

Pat Delaney nominated for Leinster position.

Under 16: v Dublin 6th May

Under 14 v Laois 13th May

1996

County Board as follows:

Chairperson: Michael Delaney

Vice-Chairperson: Tom Harrington

Secretary: Pat Delaney

Assistant Secretary: Niamh Delaney

Registrar: Pat Delaney

Treasurer: Barbara Delene

PRO: Noel Dunne, Robertstown

Irish Language Officer: Mary Fitzgerald

Central Council Delegates: Michael Delaney

Pat Delaney

Joan Carolan (sub)

J J Denny (Sub)

Leinster Council Delegates: Michael Delaney

Pat Delaney

Joan Carolan (Sub)

J J Denny (Sub)

County Manager: Gerry Latham (appointed November 1995)

Selectors: Michael Delaney

John Joe Dempsey, Rathangan

Michael Delaney (U14, U16 and Minor)

Leinster Office: Michael Delaney, Vice President*

Pat Delaney (Registrar)

* resigned after sent off player not suspended for two week, as per rule.

Entered National League

10th March v Wicklow away

Challenge v Westmeath in February

Young’s Chemist Newbridge: Sponsorship

v Carlow

Away v Roscommon

V Galway in Leitrim, 4th May and Under 14 Challenge v Galway

Leinster Championship

Under 16 Leinster Championship v Meath 3rd May in Dunshaughlin

Under 14 Leinster Championship v Carlow, 18th May, won by 6-13 to 1-1.

At Convention, Manager had said he hoped to win a couple of matches in National League – won two.

Championship v Wexford, 30th June, approx but lost narrowly

Leinster Under 14 Blitz

Beath Meath in semi-final but lost to Dublin in final. No fest between semi and final. The only game Meath lost in 1996 were the Leinster and All Ireland titles.

1997

County Board

Chairperson: Michael Delaney, Leixlip

Vice-Chairperson: Gerry Lathian, Naas

Secretary: Pat Delaney

Assistant Secretary: Grainne McEvoy, Rathangan

Registrar: Pat Delaney

Treasurer: Barbara Delaney

PRO: Brighidin Breslin, Maynooth

(resigned 27th June due to family commitments)

Assistant PRO: Gerry Latham

Development Officer: Patrick Johnson, Sallis

Irish Language Officer: Mary Fitzsimons, Eadestown

Central Council Delegates: Michael Delaney

Pat Delaney

Leinster Council Delegates: Michael Delaney

Pat Delaney

County Manager: Gerry Latham

Selectors: Michael Delaney

Michael Kelly Maynooth (resigned 25/3/97

Jack O’Connell, Rathangan (resigned 2/2/97)

Patrick Collins, Sallins

Leinster Office: Michael Delaney, Vice President*

Pat Delaney (Assistant Treasurer)

Pat Delaney (Registrar)

Michael Delaney (Development Officer)

Convention to be Tuesday 13th January 1998

National League

Home v Wicklow, February 23rd, lost

Limerick, away

Galway, away

Roscommon, home

Longford, home

Wicklow home

Offaly away, March 2nd, Dublin (home)

Leinster Championship

Minor v Westmeath, away, Kinnegad, Monday 20th May at 7 pm.

Junior v Wexford on Sunday 6th July

Under 16 beat Offaly, lost to Meath

Under 14, lost to Meath

1998

County Board:

Chairperson: June burke, Confey

Vice-Chairperson: Sean Byrne, Athgarvan

Secretary: Gemma Black, Rathangan

Assistant Secretary: Caroline Flood, Rathangan

Fixtures Secretary: Caroline Flood, Rathangan

Registrar: Phil Challoner, Confey

Treasurer: Seamus McCabe, Sarsfields

PRO: Joe Ennis, Rathangan

Leinster Council Delegate: Tony Mooney, Maynooth

National Football League:

Home v Offaly, Sunday 2nd November in Clane (or 31st October)

Away v Wicklow, 23rd November

Away v Cork, May 1998

Home v Galway, 30th March (check date)

Home v Carlow, 1st November

Under 16:

Home v Longford

Home v Wicklow

Under 14:

Home v Meath, 26th May

Away v Wexford (Grade?)

1999

County Board:

Chairperson: June burke, Confey

Vice-Chairperson: Sean Byrne, Athgarvan

Secretary: Martina Byrne

Assistant Secretary: Frank Delaney

Fixtures Secretary: Seamus McCabe

Registrar: Seamus McCabe

Treasurer: Seamus McCabe, Sarsfields

PRO: Joe Ennis, Rathangan

Development Officer: June Burke

Central Council Delegates: June Burke

Martina Byrne

County Manager: Paul Murphy

Selectors: Frank Delaney

Tony Mooney

Leinster Office: Michael Delaney

Pat Delaney

In 1999, County Champions Confey went on to win the Leinster Junior Club Championship, graded Intermediate by Leinster Council for year 2000, and without a domestic championship to sharpen their competitive spirit. They went on to win the Leinster Championship and reach the All Ireland final, only to lose out for the consecutive year to Cork side Rockchapel.

In 1999, the County side won promotion from Division 3 of the National League, finishing in a section of Division 3 and reaching the divisional final, by beating ???? in the semi-final.

The final, played in St. Conleth’s Park, Newbridge (headquarters of Kildare GAA), Cork came out on top.

Then a great run in the Leinster Championship, the county qualified for the Leinster Junior final for the first time. On that July day (25th) in Carlow, the home side reversed the league result leaving Kildare with a second set of runners up medals.

2000

County Board:

Chairperson: Tom Ryan, Leixlip

Vice-Chairperson: Joe Donovan, Grange

Secretary: Seamus McCabe, Sarsifeld

Treasurer/Registrar/Irish Officer: Ann O’Shea, Naas

Fixtures Secretary: Seamus McCabe (outgoing)

Development Officer: Tom Ryan

PRO: Joe Ennis, Rathangan (outgoing)

Central Council Delegates: Tom Ryan

Martina Byrne, Eadestown

Jim Heducan, Confey

Leinster Council: Tom Ryan

Joe Donovan, Grange (outgoing)

Seamus McCabe

Great work was done in the Clubs, the GAA county Board and the GAA clubs were top class in providing pitches and venues for all our games. Clane Club were as always particularly helpful and getting the county grounds in Newbridge for the county finals day was a big boast.

We had our best ever media coverage with Tommy Callaghan in the Leinster Leader, Paul Donaghy in the Natinalsist, Vincent Sutton and Darren Ennis in the Liffey Champion, as well as CKR Radio coverage, the best local radio coverage of ladies football according to national PRO Finbarr O’Driscoll. The people responsible were Luke Oliver, Declan Gibbons, Seamus Murnane and John Holden.

Naas Sports and Leisure were sponsors of our county team, while Richie Whelan and Andrew O’Sullivan in Kildare GAA County Board sponsored the medals for the Division 1 and Division 2 championships.

Congratulations to all those who managed, coached and selected our county teams this year. Many people helped, physios, kit people, bottle and football carriers.

All are important to success.

Our Under 12 side did us proud under the aegis of Geraldine McKiernan and

Mary McEvoy.

We won the first ever underage medals in Kildare B division of the Leinster Blitz in Carlow on the Monday of the October weekend, while your author got lost around Paris, and bumped into a Timahoe ladies football tracksuit wearing fanatic in Disneyland.

The Under 14 squad managed by Martin Morris, with Michael McKiernan and Mary McEvoy (again), did extremely well. As did our Under 16 team with Mick Shieridan, Tom Kiernan and Aine Coughlan, losing out only in a controversial play-off.

The minors with Mick Delaney taking charge stepped on a knot with Meath, the only surprise that Meath did not add the All-Ireland to the Leinster title, won convincingly in Newbridge. A final, we were pleased to host. Thanks again to all who helped.

Our ladies squad manager was Frank Delaney. Early on he had Nuala O’Mahoney, Johnny Keating and Mick Delaney as selectors, and later Ciaran Burke came in as coach and Mick Feeney as trainer. Frank’s ‘other half’, Ursula, was always in attendance.

Others, such as physio, Reiltin Treacy, Paddy McCartney, Frankie Delaney, David Burke, Conor Feeney and Niall Gleenon all made their contributions.

It was upsetting to lose our Division 2 status, the Cork/Kerry result and Cork/Louth walkover scuppered us but we’ll live with that as the rest of the season was more than consolation.

We marched to the Leinster final and after a few early hairy moments, the team came good and we’ll write that August Sunday and the name of Brainne Leahy and her team into our memories and the history of Kildare Ladies Football.

I was slightly pre-occupied with Lisa in hospital, so I missed most of the celebrations, maybe just as well.

To all involved, especially anybody inadvertently left out, congratulations and thanks, a special word to those great fans who turned up everywhere.

Galway in Tuam proved a step too far for this year. The good work was continued recently with two excellent NFL wins, setting us up nicely for Spring, the remaining league games and our championship preparations.

At club level, well done to all who played, not all can win medals, but all can participate and enjoy.

At Under 12, Confey took the major spoils. At Under 14, Confey won Feile, but had to give best to Leixlip in the Under 14 final, but only 5 seconds from the end, while Na Fianna won Division 2.

At Under 16, Confey completed what is I suspect a unique five in a row. To Carbury, Sasfields, Balyna, Leixlip etc, there is a challenge for year 2001.

Na Fianna in their first under-age year, beat Leixlip to win the Shield and then we had the marvellous Division 2.

A great competition and novices Raheens in their first ever competition won an exciting final.

Confey were winners of the Minor A Championship, while the Naas/Eadestown combination Nas/Baile Eide won the B.

The junior two championship was won by Leixlip, their opening of the double of league and championship, their first adult titles, a great achievement, but the big guns will be waiting next year.

In Division 1, the league was retained by Confey who overcame Sarsfields in the final, whose achievement in beating Grangenovlan in the semi-final was in itself, a major achievement for a club in it’s first year up in Division 1.

The Championship was a historic first for Grangenovlan.

To team captain, Ann (Christie) Hughes, Joe Donovan, Paul Murphy and all involved, congratulations and well done.

Then they had two great wins in the Leinster Club, but got caught in Mountmellick with a goal glut. A lesson or two to learn for next year.

So to Confey, without a competitive championship at home, a problem that needs early fixing, and I have a proposal for the first County Board meeting, they took the big step up from Junior to Intermediate and won Leinster style.

The celebrations had started, only among the fans, mind you, well before the final whistle in the Eire Og grounds in Carlow.

Then the All Ireland semi was won at home in great style over stern Tyrone side, Dromore, not only on the field of play, but with a preparation and presentation of grounds and facilities that left nothing to chance.

So to All-Ireland day in Semple Stadium and heartbreak. But Confey were there, the first Kildare side to reach an All-Ireland final.

• In 1999, Confey won the Leinster Junior Club Championship

• In 2000, Kildare won the Leinster Junior and Under 12

• In 2000, Confey reached the All-Ireland

• In 2001, will Kildare keep the sequence going?

This year it looked early on that we would have additional clubs in Kill and St Kevins, but it was Cappagh at minor and Raheens at Under 16 that actually affiliated and Raheens won the Under 16 Division 2.

We won’t give up on Kill or St Kevins, but in a sign of the times, another new Club, Suncroft, are the first club affiliated for 2001, and Ballykelly should be close behind, a revival of Paddy Breretons’ great efforts in the mid 1990s.

All Ireland Junior quarter final

Tuam Stadium, Saturday 26th August at 3.00 pm.

Kildare 0-9 v Galway 1-9

The Kildare ladies side suffered heartbreak in Tuam on Saturday, when narrowly losing to Galway on the unusually lush sward of Galway’s home fortress, Tuam Stadium. Just as in the three Leinster championship matches, Kildare started showly, were three points down in eight minutes and it was the 13th minute before Janice O’Brien and Mary Corscadden combined with Simone Gilabert to shoot Kildare’s first point. Even then, Kildare still struggled. Galway added two points and at 0-1 to 0-5 after 15 minutes, the visitors looked to be in serious trouble, but then Janice O’Brien started to dominate midfield. The plan to spread the play began to work. Three good points left the minimum between the sides as Deirdre Gately, Janice O’Brien and Sharon Conway all got on the score sheet. Approaching half-time, Lorna Joyce pointed for Galway and Geraldine Coneely on a mazy run, tumbled over Kate Leahy and Monaghan referee Jim Shannon awarded a penalty.

Clare Mannion hit a screamer for the top right corner but Ellen Ryan saved brilliantly, Kildare hit back, Mary Corscadden struck the post, the lilies won the kick out fed Tracy Noone, who was dragged back on the 45 but with 10 yards for dissent, she coolly slotted the free, and Kildare were only a point down a the hooter signalled half-time, and with wind advantage to come, the prospects looked good. Kildare were wide from close range, a minute into the second half and then Galway win back, Marie O’Connell ran onto a short Kildare clearance to double the home lead. Kildare streamed forward and the pressure told in the 38th minute when Galway captain, Rita Kearney hauled Janice O’Brien back in the middle of the filed, by the pony-tail, and was promptly side-lined. Soon after, Deirdre Gately set up Tracy Noone to pop over a point and the margin was again down to one. Ten scoreless minutes followed. Galway tackled relentlessly and carried possession in packs while Kildare forwards bunched. Then in three quick breaks, the home team notched two points and a killer goal from sub, Patricia Gleeson after Niamh Redmond had bravely blocked her first attempt.

In the final three minutes of normal time and five of stoppages, Kildare, with Brianne Leahy and Janice O’Brien driving the team poured forward. Tracy Noone and Sharon Conway were each twice blocked down shooting for goal, Galway conceded three 45s and three close in frees, which Grainne Heducan (2) and Tracy Noone pointed, but the badly needed goal just would not come and Galway held on for victory.

For Kildare goalkeeper, Ellen Ryan and the Leahy sisters, Kate and Brianne, were outstanding in defence, Janice O’Brien was outstanding at midfield, fielding, driving forward and even covering in defence. While up front Antoinnette Mooney, Tracy Noone and Deirdre Gately were best of the disappointing attack. For Galway, Deirdre Gallon, Michelle Delaney, Claire Mannion, until injured taking the penalty. Lorna Joyce and Aine Gilmore who won the Bank of Ireland Player of the Match Award wer the stars.

Scorers:

Kildare

Tracy Noone 0-3(2F) Grainne Heduan 0-2(2F) Simone Gilabert

Deirdre Gately Janice O’Brien Sharon Conway 0-1 each

Galway

Patricia Gleeson 1-0 Lorna Joyce 0-3 (1F) Emma Curley 0-2

Claire Mannion (1F) Aine Gilmore Martina McGann

Marie O’Connell 0-1 each

Teams:

Kildare Galway

Ellen Ryan J Connolly

Deirdre Boylan E O’Malley

Kate Leahy D Fallon

Claire Maybin-Egan F Wynne

Edel Delaney M O’Connell 0-1

Brianne Leahy (Capt) M Delaney

Niamh Redmond M Brennan

Siobhan Glennon A Gilmore 0-1

Janice O’Brien R Kearney (Capt)

Tracy Noone C Hannon

Antionette Mooney E Curley 0-2

Mary Corscadden C Mannion 0-1F

Simone Gilabert E Conneely

Sharon Conway M McGann 0-1

Deirdre Gately L Joyce 0-3 (IF)

Subs:

Emma McCartney for P Gleeson 1-0 for

C Maybin-Egan 23 minutes C Mannion h/t

Grainne Heducan for G Joyce for

D Boylan 47 minutes E Curely 40 minutes

Nicola Cunningham for A Heneghan for

S Gilabert 57 minutes M McGann 53 minutes

Referee: Jim Shannon (Monaghan)

Medals for Year 2000

Competition Section Club Engraved with

Cup Final Under 12 Confey Under 12 Cup Winners 2000

Cup Final Under 12 Sarsfields Under 12 Runner Up 2000

Shield Final Under 12 Carbury Under 12 Shield Winners 2000

Shield Final Under 12 Leixlip Under 12 Shield Runners Up 2000

Cup Final Under 14 Leixlip Under 14 Cup Winners 2000

Cup Final Under 14 Confey Under 14 Cup Runners Up 2000

Shield Final Under 14 Na Fianna Under 14 Shield Winners 2000

Shield Final Under 14 Under 14 Shield Runners Up 2000

Feile Under 14 Confey

Cup Final Under 16 Confey Under 16 Cup Winners 2000

Cup Final Under 16 Carbury Under 16 Cup Runners Up 2000

Shield Final Under 16 Na Fianna Under 16 Shield Winners 2000

Shield Final Under 16 Leixlip Under 16 Shield Runners Up 2000

Division 2 Under 16 Raheens

Division 2 Under 16 Na Fianna

Division 1 Minor Confey Minor Division 1 Winners 2000

Division 1 Minor Minor Division 1 Runners Up 2000

Division 2 Minor Nas/BaileEide Minor Division 2 Winners 2000

Division 2 Minor Sarsfields Minor Division 2 Runners Up 2000

Division 1 Junior League Confey League Division 1 Winners 2000

Division 1 Junior League Sarsfields League Division 1 Runners Up 2000

Division 2 Junior League Leixlip League Division 2 Winners 2000

Division 2 Junior League Prosperous League Division 2 Runners Up 2000

Junior Championship A Grange Championship Winners 2000

Junior Championship A Maynooth Championship Runners 2000

Junior Championship B Leixlip Championship B Winners 2000

Junior Championship B Prosperous Championship B Runners Up 2000

Chairperson and Secretary Contact list – 2000

Club Chairperson Secretary

Athagarvan Ben Snell Tom Mckenna

Kinneach, The Curragh Little Connell, Newbridge

045 -481907 045-432475

Ballya Ailish McCabe Mary McEvoy

Ballinderay, Broadford Kilrathmurray, Clonard, Enfield

0405-51225 0405-51300

Carbury Tommy Holtan Bridget Murphy

Cloona, Enfield 594 Trinity Crescent, Derrinturn, Carbury

0405-41340 0405-53074

Celbridge See Secretary Celbridge GAA Geraldine O’Brien – 016271493

Pat White – 01 6272191 Dorothy Kiely – 01 6288578

Confey Joe Fallon Marian Kiernen

113 Glendale Meadows, Leixlip 89 River Forest, Leixlip

01 – 6283821 01-6243966

Eadestown Frankie Byrne Claire Maybin

Blackhall, Punchestown, Naas 72 Alymer Park, Naas

045-898-14 045-881049

Grange Jimmy Byrne Joe Donovan

0503-45259 Ballyroe, Athy

0507-33016

Kilcock Sharon Murphy Kathryn Quinn

Courttown Park, Kilcock Laragh, Maynooth

01-6287137 01-6285259

Kill Michael Sheridan Lorina Halton

74 Hartwell Green, Kill 2900 St Patrick Park, Kill

045-877434 045-877544

Leixlip Kathleen Moolick Brian Byrne

01-6246333 321 Ryevale Lawns, Leixlip

01-6243342

Maynooth Tony Mooney Karen Mulhern

826 Greenfield, Maynooth 17 Cluain Aoibhinn, Maynooth

01-6289736 087-2039124

Moorefield Eileen Kavanagh Sine Dowling

125 The Oaks, Newbridge Altonhouse, Martinstown, Suncroft

045-437101 045-441907

Naas John McMahon Barry Hoban

5 the Paddocks, Naas 210 Moncread Heights, Naas

045-866541 045-875159

Na Fianna Joan Moran Claire Moran

Dennymullen, Robertstown, Naas Dennymullen, Robertstown, Naas

045-870152 045-870152

Prosperous Valerie Quine Bernie Johnson

Downings, Prosperous 5 Villa Crescent, Prosperous

045-860797 045-868520

Raheens Patsy Power Christy Morrison

Caragh, Naas 59 Alymer Park, Naas

045-879393 045-895432

Rathangan Carol McGivern Caroline Flood

Tullylust, Rathangan Kilaghan, Rathangan

045-524638

Round Towers John Morrissy Ann Molloy

Rathbride Road, Co Kildare 25 Farrenberg Glebe, Kildare Town

087-2797605 045-521123

Sarsfields Pauline Murray Noirin Ni Shimidh

Connell Drive, Newbridge 156 Moorefield Park, Newbridge

045-435021 045-431176

St Kevins Bernard Owens Niamh Reilly

Timahoe, Donadea, Naas Staplestown, Donadea, Naas

045 863676 045-869348

County Board Contact List – 2001

Position Name Address Home No Office/mobile/email

Chairperson Tom Ryan 9 Ryevale Lawns 01 – 6242170 01 – 6475299

Liexlip 087-917 2359

toriain@revenue.ie

Vice-Chairperson Joe Donovan 1637 Ballyroe 0507-33016 087-9845991

Athy

Secretary Chairperson Acting as Secretary

Treasurer Ann O’Shea 15 Oakglynn 045-875159 087-2853692

Naas Fax 045-895307

annoshea@eircom.net

Registrar Paddy McCartney 97 Glendale 01-6244907

Leixlip

PRO John Holden Eyre Street 045-432272 045-434950

Newbridge 087-2872208

Fax 045-432820

jholden@iol.ie

Central Council Jim Heduan 115 Glendale 01-6245771 087-9190727

Delegate Leixlip

Leinster Council Mick Sweeney 32 Glendale 01-6246274 086-8700548

Delegate Leixlip

Club/Ladies Football Committee Chairperson & Secretary Contact List 2001

Club Chairperson Secretary

Athgarvan Mick Doolin Frank Delaney

Rosetown, Athgarvan 25 Moorefield Drive

Newbridge

045-433627

087-2442877

frank_delaney@gilette.com

Ballykelly John Behan Corinne Cullen

Ballykelly, Monasterevan Old Grange, Monasterevan

045-525458 045-525138

jncullen@dol.ie

Balyna Ailish McCabe Mary McEvoy

Ballinderry, Broadford Kilrathmurray, Clonard, Enfield

0405-51225 0405-51300

Cappagh Ella Houlihan Audrey Timmons

Hortlands Lodge, Donadea, Naas Hortlands, Donadea, Naas

045-869130 045-869297

Carbury Tommy Holten Bridget Murphy

Cloona, Enfield 594 Trinity Crescent, Derrinturn, Carbury

0405-41340 0405-53074

086-2351828

Clane Bernadette Walsh Clare Byrne

Avondale, Prosperous Road 22 The Downings, Prosperous

Firmount, Clane 045-892667

bwalshe@kildarecoco.ie

clare_byrne@3com.com

Confey Mick Sweeney Maria Fallon

32 Glendale, Leixlip 113 Glendale Meadows, Leixlip

01-6246274 01-6243821

jfallon@tinet.ie

Eadestown Siobhan Murphy Claire Maybin

Furryhill, Kilteel, Naas 72 Alymer Park, Naas

01-4582759 045-881049

086-8771076 987-6184296

siobhanmurphy@boran.ie

maybin@wyeth.labs.com

Grangenovlan Jimmy Byrne Sandra O’Brien

Kilkea Upper, Castledermot Ballinamona, Castledermot

0503-45259 0503-444555

086-8771076 086-8926607 – fax 0503-44715

smob72-@hotmail.com

Kilcock Grainne Gormely Marie Brennan

28 Courtown Park, Kilcock 118 Courtown Park, Kilcock

01-4307265 01-6287637

087-2859080 087-2456031

grainnegormley@meteor.ie

mariebrennan35@yahoo.com

Leixlip Kathleen Moolick Brian Byrne

295 Ryevale Lawns, Leixlip 321 Ryevale Lawns, Leixlip

01-6246333 01-6243342

bpfbyrne@eircom.net

Maynooth Shelly Breslin Karen Mulhern

087-2422087 17 Cluain Aoibhinn, Maynnoth

01-4033215 (work) 01-6290452 (work)

shelly.breslin@siac.ie

087-2039124

Moorefield Tom McDonnell Mary Doyle

137 Allenview Heights, Newbridge 17 Roseberry Court, Newbridge

045-431563 045-436785

Naas John McMahon Barry Hoban

5 The Paddocks, Naas 15 Oakglynn, Naas

045-866541 045-875159

Na Fianna Caitriona Kavanagh Niamh Doyle

Ballyteague, Kilmeague, Naas Allen, Kilmeague, Naas

045-860018 045-860301

niamhdoyle76@hotmail.com

Prosperous Valerie Quine Bernie Johnson

Downings, Prosperous 5 Villa Crescent, Prosperous

045-860797 045-870203

Raheens Patsy Power Shiela Campbell

Caragh, Naas Newtown, Donore, Naas

045-879393 045-870203

Rathangan Mick Kinsella Caroline Flood

New Street, Rathangan Kiltaghan, Rathangan

045-524859 045-524638

087-2889279

Round Towers John Morrissey Ann Molloy

Rathbride Road, Newbridge 25 Farrenberg Glebe, Kildare

087-2797605 045-521123

Sarsfields Noel Dinneny Noirin Ni Shimidy

70 The Elms, Newbridge 156 Moorefield Park, Newbridge

St Kevins Bernard Owens Sinead Cox

Hodgestown, Naas Timahoe, Donadea, Naas

Suncroft Helen Sexton Gwen Deering

Walterstown, Nurney Bushy Park, Nurney

2001 – Medals for Year

Competition Section Club Engraved With

Championship Under 12 Balya Under 12 Championship Winners 2001

Championship Under 12 Leixlip Under 12C/P Runners Up 2001

League Under 12 Confey Under 12 League Runners Up 2001

Shield Under 12 Clane Under 12 Shield Winners 2001

Shield Under 12 Sarsfields Under 12 Shield Runners Up

Championship Under 14 Carbury Under 14 Championship Winners 2001

Championship Under 14 Confey Under 14 C/P Runners Up 2001

League Division 1 Under 14 Leixlip Under 14 League Div 1 Winners 2001

League Division 1 Under 14 Confey Under 14 League Div 1 Runners Up 2001

League Division 2 Under 14 Balya Under 14 League Div 2 Winners 2001

League Division 2 Under 14 Sarsfields

Championship Under 16 Leixlip Under 16 C/p Winners 2001

Championship Under 16 Confey Under 16 C/p Runners Up 2001

Summer League 11 a side Div 1 Leixlip Summer League Div 1 Winners 2001

Summer League 11 a side Div 2 Carbury Summer League Div 2 Winners 2001

Division 1 Minor Minor Div.1 Winners 2001

Division 1 Minor Minor Div. 1 Runners Up 2001

Division 2 Minor Carbury Minor Div 2 Winners 2001

Division 2 Minor Na Fianna Minor Div 2 Runners Up 2001

Division 1 Junior League Grange League Div 1 Winners 2001

Division 1 Junior League Confey League Div 1 Runners Up 2001

Division 2 Junior League Carbury League Div 2 Winners 2001

Division 2 Junior League Kilcock League Div 2 Runners Up 2001

Junior Championship A Grange Championship Winners 2001

Junior Championship A Sarsfields Championship Runners Up 2001

Junior Championship B Prosperous Championship B Winners 2001

Junior Championship B Carbury Championship runners Up 2001

Prosperous League Div Runners Up 2001

2001

In many ways this was the best year ever for Ladies football in Kildare and it was also heartbreaking.

Twenty two clubs affiliated, two more than in 2000, continuing the trend of gradual growth for a tenth consecutive year.

Championship Winners

Balyna, possible our smallest club are Under 12 champions, winning the final in styple, over Leixlip, in Kilcock.

Carbury are our Under 14 champions, having narrowly defeated Confey in the final, hosted by St Kevins in Staplestown. The win also qualified Carbury to represent Kildare in the All-Ireland Feile in Tipperary where Cahir were their hosts.

The Under 16 final was one of the games of the year as Leixlip regained the Juvenile title after a 5-year lapse. Confey having won those five intervening titles overcame a slow start to go in front but were caught and passed in the last ten minutes.

We have two minor championships, a Division 1 and a Division 2, with the qualifying stages on a league basis.

The Division one is not yet completed and the concluding stages are being held over to the New Year.

This happened with our Division 2 last year and the final was won in January 2001 by Nas/BaileEide, a fairly obvious combination side.

This year’s Division 2 final was a clash of Allen/Allenwood team Na Fianna and Carbury, from which the latter emerged victorious.

Our adult championships are titled Junior Division One and Junior Division Two. In the Division Two final, Prosperous had a good win over a youthful Carbury.

The premier title, The Ladies Junior Championship, went to Grangenovlan, retaining the title first won last year. Sarsfield were the defeated finalists in their first final in only their second year in the grade. Both finals were played as a double header in Clane.

Leagues

Last year the Ladies Junior League titles were decided too late for inclusion in the 2000 edition. They were won by:

Division 1: Confey

Division 2: Leixlip

The 2001 Ladies Junior League had two divisions with 14 rounds in each and Division 1 has not yet been completed. The final featured our two top clubs, Confey and Grangenovlan, with Grangenovlan just shading the verdict with a narrow two point win on Sunday 16th December in Ellistown to win their first Division 1 League title and complete the Championship/League Double.

Youthful Carbury are the victors of division 2.

The Under 12 league saw two exciting finals in November. In Division 1, old north county rivals Confey and Leixlip met once again with Leixlip repeating their Championship semi-final win with a much more convincing margin.

The Division 2 final pitted Sarsfield in opposition to Clane, a fairly regular pairing in GAA circles, but a novel one in Ladies football as this was Clane’s first year un Under-age and was also the club’s first time back in Ladies football since a short-lived adult movement in 1995.

Clane won the title, their first.

Under 14, this year for the first time, Under 14 Leagues took place in addition to the Championship.

Balyna took the honours in Division 2, overcoming Sarsfield in the final by a narrow margin after the “Sash” had led at half-time, and looked good with the aide of the slope on Clane’s excellent ‘back-pitch’. But Balyna kept their 100% record, winning both competitions entered.

The Division 1 final featured Confey and Leixlip again, and Leixlip emerged very convincing winners after a jittery first-half.

County Teams

The County teams had their best year ever. Our Under 14 and Under 16 sides got through the qualifying rounds into the Leinster Championship semi-finals for the first time ever. Meath halted both runs, very narrowly in the Under 14. This team then went on to the All-Ireland Blitz and in Division 2, took home the County’s first All-Ireland title, with a series of brilliant wins in Mullingar. Following on from a similar Leinster Under 12 win in 2000, also under the management of Michael McKiernan (Confey), Geraldine McKiernan (Confey), Mary McEvoy (Balyna) and Nuala O’Mahony (Na Fianna), this hold out some realistic hope for future years.

The county team topped Division 3A of the National League, overcame 3B side Armagh in a quarter-final but in a semi-final with not just a final spot, but also promotion to Division 2 at stake, Roscommon proved too good by the minimum margin at their home ground in Ballyleague.

So on to the Leinster Junior Championships and as holders, Kildare were there to be shot at. Big wins over Offaly in Tullamore and Meath in Dunsany saw us safely into the semi-final. Played in Radley Park, Leixlip, Carlow did not prove as difficult as in the two previous years, so it was into the Leinster final with average winning margins of 16 points.

That Leinster final took place on the last Sunday of July in Dr Cullen Park, and old rivals Meath were waiting. While Kildare dominated for most of the game and built a sizeable lead, two last quarter Meath goals left it a nail biting climax. The one point margin was a good as any to allow Kildare retain a title first won a year earlier. The first Kildare football team to retain a Leinster title since the Under 21 team of 1965/66 and before that when??? 1928/29!!

The All-Ireland Quarter-final, involving a hugely expensive trip to London resulted in another big (32 point) Lily-White win, and was probably the first time CKR carried a live commentary on an overseas Ladies football match. John Holden standing in the open-topped commentary box going full belt for CKR was certainly a first in Ruislip.

The All-Ireland semi-final v New York set out for Longford’s Pearse Park on Saturday September 15th, was not played due to the terrible events in New York on September 11th. New York withdrew, leaving Kildare in the All-Ireland final on September 30th with a Roscommon the opposition.

The AIB All-Ireland Final

The preparations and build up for the final were top-class, including midweek advance trip to Croke Park. Vital it was felt as it would be the team’s, indeed the County’s, first ever game at GAA Headquarters.

On the morning of the game, the team manager, Frank Delaney picked up the tab for breakfast in Rathcoole, Pat Herbert laid on full warm-up facilities in the army grounds, the bus had a full Garda escort into Croker, but on the field Kildare never got motoring, as four early chances weren’t taken. Roscommon took theirs and we always trailed. The display was a big disappointment, but nobody dropped the head and a few late points restored some pride.

Not many of the Kildare party were looking forward to joining the other three teams (Laois, Mayo and Roscommon) at the TG4 post match banquet in Citywest. Our tables were quiet. The banquet menus had the All-Star nominees listed on the back. We had two nominees, at 10 Tracy Noone and 12 Brianne Leahy, probably our two best on the day, and as far as this writer knows, these were Kildare’s first nominations. A little consolation at least!

The meal (and it was good, very good in fact) over, Michael O Muritheartaig rose to announce and call to the stage the 2001 All-Stars.

On he went, Goalkeeper from Mayo

Fullback from Laois

Right half-forward from Dublin, were sick

Centre half-forward

We didn’t ever hear to want to

The West Kerry tones.

“At left-half forward and No 12 from the short grass county….we erupted, Brianne sat stunned, Johnny and Breda startled, Kave dived to congratulate her sister”

“Kildare’s Brianne Leahy”

We had our first All-Star. Brianne, our captain, walked now wearing a big smile to the stage to join the rest of the 2001 Greats. The mood at the Kildare tables turned festive, a great night (and morning) was had by many.

AIB All Ireland Club

The All-Ireland over, the Leinster Club Championship swung into full flight.

As Confey were graded Senior by Leinster Council after winning the Provincial Intermediate title in 2000 (and intermediate after the junior win in 1999), they went straight into the Leinster Senior Club championship. Confey defeated the Leinster 2000 Senior Club champions Timahoe (Laois), who have 14 of the Laois Senior All Ireland winning squad, in the first round but lost away to Cooley Kickams in the semi-final.

Grangenovlan with a series of big wins stormed into the Leinster Junior Club final. Carnew (Wicklow), Blackhall Gaels (Meath) and Carrickedmond (Longford) were no match for Ann Hughes, the Leahy’s Noami Treacy, Donna Berry etc and it was back to Dunsany on November 4th for the Leinster final against Dublin side Naomh Mearnog.

A close first half and then Grangenovlan took control and pulled well away for a fantastic win for the little, big South Kildare club.

The All-Ireland semi-final was on Sunday 11th November in Sarsfield Park, Newbridge against O’Neill Shamrock (Clontibret, Monaghan) and that was also won with something to spare.

The final in Cloughjordan was a disappointment as Cork side Rockban hit a glut of goals after Grangenovlan had started well. The Kildare girls matched their opponents score for score but with Rockban’s being mostly goals, Grangenovlan just could not catch up despite dominating the last quarter.

County Mentors 2001

Under 14: Michael McKiernan, Geraldine McKiernan, Mary McEvoy

Nuala O’Mahony

Under 16: Tom Kiernan, Oliver Walsh, Tom Ryan

Minor: Frank Delaney

Junior: Frank Delaney Manager

Paddy Lawlor Coach

Brendan Downey Trainer

Paddy McCartney Selection

Reiltin Treacy Physio

Match Report

The TG4 Ladies All-Ireland Junior Football Quarter-Final

Ruislip, Saturday 18th August 2001 at 5.00 pm

Kildare v London

Score at half-time: 2-9 to 0-2 Score at full-time 5-19 to 0-2

Kildare cruised into a first ever All Ireland Junior semi-final with a huge win over London. While London were not at full strength, such was Kildare’s superiority all over the field, it was hard to see how the Exiles could have done anything to hold back the white avalanche. Right from the first minute when Louise Conlon and Therese Martin combined to set up Ellen Ryan, playing in an unacustomed full forward role, for an excellently taken first point of the game. Kildare were in full control but hit three wides in the seven minutes before. Tracy Noone fired over from 30 yards, having been excellently fed up the right win by Aisling Lambe, and Kildare had five points on the board when centre forward Evelyn Griffin, shot a good London point in the 14th minute. Three more Kildare “minors” were an immediate response, two coming from Janice O’Brien and one from Tracy Noone.

At 0-8 to 0-1 in arrears, London needed to stem the tide but, instead, it was Kildare that struck hard, Janice O’Brien fed Therese Martin, who spotted Kim Turner on the run. The pass was spot on, the finish was low, and buried in the corner. Immediately, Kildare’s forwards were on the move again. Tracy Noone beat two defenders, dribbled past another, London keeper Jackie McGowan beat out the shot but running on was Janice O’Brien to smash home the rebound. Each side added a point, an Evelyn Griffin free for London and Simone Gilabert’s first (but not last) score for Kildare left the half-time score at Kildare 2-9, London 0-2.

Manager, frank Delaney introduced Sinead McBride and Emma McCartney for the second half at full forward and on the left wing. Emma later moved to full forward and bagged three points with Sinead going out to midfield but, prior to that, Deirdre Boylan turned up on the London 15 metre line, laid off to Brianne Leahy whose point opened the second half scoring after two minutes and Kildare added five more points in the third quarter, at which stage Kildare made three further changes in personnel with no let up. Simone Gilabert made that final quarter memorable with a brilliant hat trick while Emma McCartney pointed from Louise Conlon’s pass. Tracy Noone scored Kildare’s only point from a free and Aisling Lambe strolled up from half-back to avail of Brianne’s lay off, to score Kildare’s last point, but shortly before that Kildare’s fourth goal, Simone’s second was a score to cherish. Susan Brosnan collected on the Kildare 45 facing her own gaol, quickly turned and picked out Ann Hughes wide on the right wing. Ann switched play with a forty yard cross field pass to Emma McCartney who set up the oncoming Simone to fire first time to the top left corner with London’s goalkeeper a bewildered spectator.

With Kildare totally dominant, goal keeper Ann Nolan had only one moment of danger with which she dealt with capably, corner-backs Edel Delaney and Deirdre Boylan controlled matters at the back leaving full-back Niamh Redmond to play a comfortable sweeper role. Kate Leahy had to battle with London’s top performer while her flankers, Aisling Lambe and Dawn Porter, excelled.

Louise Conlon worked hard at midfield and improved as the match progressed, allowing Brianne Leahy, after a marvellous 45 minutes in the middle of the field, switch to the left wing for the last quarter as Sinead McBride joined her club colleagues in midfield.

Tracy Noone again picked off her points with aplomb. Therese Martin directed matters from the ‘40’ and Janice O’Brien having excelled in the first half, retired at the interval to rest an old injury. Ellen Ryan at full forward proved a capable target, while Kim Turner shone in the left corner to show she carried no ill effects of her Leinster final injury, but the star turn was the number thirteen. Skilful citog, Simone Gilabert scored one point and tormented the home defence with her mazy running in the first half, scored two points in the third quarter and then dished out the punishment with her three goals in the final quarter, when Susan Brosnan was operating with effect at centre back. Ann Hughes was spreading the play on the right wing and Emma McCartney was buzzing at full forward.

For London, centre half back Deirdre Kelly battled to the last, midfielders Suzanne Donaghy and Ann Dunning did well in the first half but were subsequently overwhelmed and Evelyn Griffin looked dangerous while she was getting a supply but London’s star of the day was goalkeeper (and County Board Chairperson) Jackie McGowan who brought off a series of fine saves and prevented a complete mauling.

Scorers – Kildare

Simone Gilabert 3-3 Tracey None 0-6 (1 free) Janice O’Brien 1-2

Kim Turner 1-0 Emma McCartney 0-3 Brianne Leahy 0-2

Ellen Ryan 0-1 Therese Martin 0-1 Aisling Lambe 0-1

Scorers – London

Evelyn Griffin 0-2 (1 free)

Teams

Kildare:

Ann Nolan Edel Delaney Niamh Redmond

Deirdre Boylan Aisling Lambe Kate Leahy

Dawn Power Brianne Leahy Louise Conlon

Tracy Noone Therese Martin Janice O’Brien

Simone Gilabert Ellen Ryan Kim Turner

Subs: Sinead McBride for Ellen Ryan (31 minutes)

Emma McCartney for J O’Brien (31 minutes)

Susan Brosnan for K Leahy (40 minutes)

Ann Hughes for T Martin (48 minutes)

Tracy Power for Dawn Power (50 minutes)

London:

Jackie McGowan Fiona Carroll Carmel Reid

Geraldine Clancy Laura O’Riordan Deirdre Kelly

Claudette Crisp Suzanne Donaghy Ann Dunning

Paula O’Leary Evelyn Griffin Catherine Hunt

Sandra Kelly Dorothy O’Connor Regina Clarke

Subs: Emma Linanne for R Clarke (17 minutes)

Referee: Eugene O’Hare, Down

Report by: Tom Ryan

Material for All-Ireland Final 2001 Programme

While it is believed that Ladies football was played in Kildare in the 1970s, the County Board has no formal records from that time. Thee was another burst of activity in the mid-1980s, with Castledermot, The Curragh, Rathangan, Ellistown and Robertstown being the strongholds. Castledermott even fielded two teams in one season and Dan “Locky” Byrne, whose daughter Mary Claire Byrne was the instigator of the club, later became Club Chairperson and a Leinster selector. Ben and Molly Corcoran were very involved. In The Curragh, Mary Bastick and Alice Quirke were among the founding figures and, as well as club competitions, the first county competitive match appears to have been in the 1985 Leinster Championship v Offaly in Rochfordbridge. Two of those players, Grace Kelly (Castledermott) and Geraldine Behan (The Curragh) made the Leinster panel around that time. That initial burst of activity was not sustained and the Club/County Board dissolved.

Also around 1985, Leixlip Club entered Dublin competition, mostly in underage and the schools played in second level competitions.

Then in 1992, Catherine Donohoe, who had just stepped down as the GAA’s County Development Officer, was approached by Rita Sargent from Eadestown, where a ladies team had been in training for a year. Together they called a meeting in March 1992, and in addition to Easestown, Pat and Michael Delaney (Leixlip),

Linda O’Connor and Brenda Dardis (Kilcock) became involved. It transpired that a ladies team had been formed in Kilcock in 1991 and had taken part in the Meath League, reaching a final before losing to St Ultans in a replay.

The first County Board Officers were:

Chairperson: Catherine Donohoe Eadestown

Secretary: Rita Sargent, Eadestown

Treasurer/Registrar: Linda O’Connor Kilcock

PRO: Michael Delaney Leixlip

Team Managers:

Junior Ladies Mick Fitzgerald Eadestown

Under Age Michael Delaney Leixlip

While Kildare competed in the Leinster Championships at Junior and Underage as well as in the National League in most years since 1992, the first hints of success only came in 1999 when reaching but losing the National League, Division 3 and Leinster Junior Finals. That elusive Leinster Junior title was won in 2000, and retained this year with the All Ireland Quarter final win being our first such win, so now the TG4 All Ireland semi-final versus New York is all new for the All-Whites.

2002

County Board Officer 2002

Chairperson/Secretary: Tom Ryan

Vice-Chairperson: Brian Byrne

Treasurer: Ursula Delaney

Registrar: Paddy McCartney

PRO: John Holden

Central Council Delegates: Jim Heduan

Tom Ryan

Leinster Council Delegates: Joe Donovan

Tom Ryan

Leinster Officers:

Development Officer: Michael Delaney (Cill Dara)

Registrar: Patricia Delaney (Cill Dara)

Assistant Treasurer: Patricia Delaney (Cill Dara)

County Team Mentors:

In charge of the County (Junior) team and the County Minors were:

Manager: Frank Delaney

Coach/Selector: Mick Feeney

Selector: Johnny Leahy

Annual Report 2002

Another new member club joined the Kildare Ladies Football family in 2002 and, as I write this introduction, Milltown’s Under 12 team sit proudly atop Division 2 of the League. Grainne Sweeney and Catherine Sweeney, with the full support of Milltown GFC are doing a great job.

Grangenovlan have again won a Leinster Club title, the Intermediate, to add to the Junior last year but in the All Ireland Club Championship semi-final, they again lost out to Cork side Rockban. Adding the Leinster Intermediate title to the Junior title won last year is some achievement for the rurual South Kildare Club. Fran Miller and Joe Donovan used to talk about “the small club”. Some small club!!! Congratulations and well done all.

County Scene

At Under 12, the only County outlet is the Leinster Blitz.

This year the Blitz was held in Carlow at the hurling grounds on Monday 3rd June and was Kildare’s most successful yet. A Kildare team was entered in Division 1 and Cill Dara played in Division 2.

Division 1 included Meath, Laois, Wexford and Dublin, as well as Kildare, who in the past mostly competed in Division 2.

Having drawn with Meath, Kildare beat Dublin and Wexford, drew with Laois and then faced Meath in the semi-final late in the afternoon, went a goal down but came back to win. The final was again a close battle with Laois and finished level and the dreaded penalty shoot followed and Laois won it.

In Division 2, the Cill Dara squad swept all before them. Laois “B”, Wicklow, Dublin “B”, Laois “C”, Meath “B”, and Wexford “B” all bit the dust in the round robin. Laois “B” in the semi-final and Dublin “B” in the final got a second dose of Cill Dara medicine as the captain for the final. Suzy Coffey led her team to the presentation and collected the silverware. Kildare had won this title in 2000 so regaining it was a satisfactory outcome.

The teams had Emma Rochford, Paul Drumm and Bernadette Walsh in charge of Kildare while Noel Dinneny, Claire Byrne, Mary Deay with Brian Byrne looking after the Cill Dara squad, while Iona Daly’s mum, Frances and Suzy Coffey’s dad, Ken, attending, as supporting parents were roped in as the medics/physios. Having had their first match at 10.00 am, the stretching at half-time in the Division 2 final was especially important at 7.30 in the evening. In the eighth game of the day, the experts kept cramp at bay.

The squads were:

Kildare Cill Dara

Jackie Usher, Clane Fiona Dinneny, Sarsfields

Debra Usher, Clane Sarah Melia, Confey

Karen O’Shea, Leixlip Shauna O’Brien, Carbury

Joanna Timmons, Leixlip Patrice Walsh, Leixlip

Ailbhe Enright, Naas (Capt) Niamh Flynn, Carbury

Corinne Farrell, Balya Lisa O’Connor, Clane

Danielle Dunne, Ballykelly Sinead Healy, Clane

Caroline Lynch, Liexlip Iona Daly, Ballykelly

Christine Newton, Leixlip Shauna O’Rourke, Sarsfields

Grainne Gaffney, Clane Suzy Coffey, Sarsfields

Joyce Jordan, Leixlip Laura Coe, Ballykelly

Cloghagh Farrell, Leixlip Kate Lennon, Leixlip

Cliona McSweeney, Naas Rosaleen Gallie, Balyna

Niamh Dunne, Clane Clare Bryan, Eadestown

Miriam Murphy, Balyna Sinead Melia, Ballykelly

Maria Flaherty, Leixlip Aideen Lacey, Sarsfields

Clare McEvoy, Clane Catherine O’Malley, Carbury

Ciara Jameson, Eadestown Karen Cummins, Carbury

Niamh Lyons, Leixlip Shauna Kilkenny, Clane

Aisling Caffrey, Confey Danielle Redmond, Ballykelly

Alison Doyle, Naas Karen Conway, Ballykelly

Ciara Hogan, Confey Jillian Roe, Eadestown

Michelle McKeown, Carbury Sinead Sweeney, Confey

Emma Balfe, Carbury Shauna Cummiskey, Naas

Lynn Challoner, Confey Grace mcGinn, Eadestown

Shona McGrath, Confey Emma Carey, Eadestown

Olivia Dunne, Naas Helen Young, Confey

Evelyn Loftus, Sarsfields

The county Under 14 and Under 16 squads started their year on January 4th. Both comfortably qualified for the semi-finals winning three of their games but significantly, the Under 14s lost to Dublin and the Under 16 to Meath. The hard slog of training and matches all through January and February was starting to bear fruit and on Saturday 4th May, Kildare were in both semi-finals. The Under 14 game v Laois in Leixlip at 1.00 pm was an exciting high scoring game and in the end, the young Kildare girls came out on top 5-8 to 2-12 and the County had qualified for its first Leinster Underage Championship final.

The scene then moved to Westmanstown for 3.30 and the Under 16 semi-final with Dublin. The win was secured, a second Under 16 win over Dublin and a second Leinster final spot was Kildares.

The finals were played in Newbridge on Saturday 25th May. Out first were the Under 14 side but Dublin confirmed the earlier form, winning handsomely.

Its an old saying that you have to lose a final before you win one. It had been the case with the County Junior team in 1999/2000. Now could our Under 16 team oblige? When Meath led 0-6 to 0-1 after 15 minutes, the omens were not good but a brilliant goal finished in style by Round Towers girl Jackie Kelly, who got the show on the road. The wind advantage in the second half saw Kildare go in front when Aisling Jennings set up Aisling Holton for the second goal and Kildare were on their way, winning 2-8 to 0-10. Captain Clodagh Flanagan collected the cup, a first ever Leinster Under-age Championshp was sealed. The celebrations could begin.

In the All-Ireland semi final in Birr, Galway proved too good for Kildare in a very high scoring game, 3-19 to 3-10, as Aisling Jennings abroad on a family holiday was badly missed. 2002 was the best year yet for Kildare under age teams and the names of the Under 14 and Under 16 teams and their brilliant mentors have to be recorded with the congratulations and thanks of all Kildare Ladies Football.

The 2002 Panels

Under 14 Under 16

Helen O’Shea, Confey Sarah Duignan, Athagravan

Leanne Farrell, Balyna Denise Cullen, Grangenovlan

Sharon Melia, Ballykelly Aisling Savage, Leixlip

Tracey McKeon, Carbury Aileen Taaffe, Raheens

Aoife O’Toole, Leixlip Clodagh Flanagan, Balyna

Carol Bergin, Balyna Catriona Dolan, Carbury

Catherine Grier, Balyna Laura Lynch, Sarsfields

Aoife Mostyn, Confey Maria Moolick, Leixlip

Emer Dempsey, Sarsfields Aisling Holton, Carbury

Christina Newton, Leixlip Jackie Kelly, Round Towers

Emer McBride, Athagarvan Elaine Dillon, Suncroft

Emer Ryan, Eadestown Donna Berry, Grangenovlan

Lisa Cummins, Carbury Stacy Cann, Na Fianna

Sarah Callinan, Naas Aisling Jennings, Confey

Aine Gately, Confey Michelle Drumm, Leixlip

Katie McDevitt, Leixlip Sarah Gormley, Naas

Siobhan Hurley, Balyna Nicola Kavanagh, Athgarvan

Aislinn Sargent, Eadestown Lorna Whitson, Confey

Orla O’Shea, Confey Ann Dempsey, Carbury

Catherine McGinty, Leixlip Rebecca Hennessy, Grangenovlan

Zoe Gough, Confey Kelly Aungier, Na Fianna

Laura Burke, Sarsfields Sandra Delmer, Raheens

Jane Murphy, Balyna Mary Sweeney, Confey

Caroline Lynch, Leixlip Yvonne Brennan, Grangenovlan

Mentors:

Mary McEvoy Nuala O’Mahoney

Geraldine McKiernan Mick McKiernan

Willie Sargent Maurice Cullen

The teams got great support from Ger Melia, the Monasterevan builder. Ger, it was greatly appreciated.

Minor

The County Minor team started the year in promising fashion under the management of Oliver Walsh and Tom Kiernan with a “get together” session on the 5th January and played Dublin in a friendly soon after. The early enthusiasm waned and Oliver and Tom resigned. The loss through illness of Saileog O’Keefe was also a major blow and we hope for a speedy recovery for Seileog.

The County team management took over with assistance from Janice O’Brien. Louth conceded a walk-over in the first round of the Leinster Championship and Wicklow were narrowly defeated in the quarter-final in Blessington. The semi-final was away v Longford in Clonguish and despite a brilliant team effort, we went down by a narrow 2 point margin.

Kildare v Wicklow

Carol Keogh Maeve Shields Rachel Dufficy

Bernie Durkan Charlene Hyland Celia Hogan

Maura Houlihan Emma O’Connell Leah Purcell (0-2)

Catherine Bradley (1-1) Noelle Earley (0-3) Debbie Molloy

Fiona Campion Mary Lawless (1-0) Fiona Noone (0-1)

Subs played: Jamie Flaherty for B Durkan (50 minutes)

Yvonne Bergin for F Noone (52 minutes)

Kildare v Longford

Carol Keogh Andrea Brereton Rachel Dufficy

Maeve Shields Aisling Holton Elaine McCrann

Maura Houlihan Leah Purcell Celia Hogan

Catherine Bradley Maria Moolick (0-01) Emma O’Connell

Noelle Early (0-1) Mary Lawless (0-5) Debbie Molloy

Subs played: Avril Moran for C Braldey (injury 5 minutes)

Fiona Campion for E O’Connell (25 minutes)

Fiona Noone for D Molloy (35 minutes)

National league

The County team, back in Division 2 of the National League, had a bad start losing at home to Leitrim

In our previous year in Division 2, relegation had been out fate. A few good wins banished all bad thoughts and even before our last game, home to Donegal, a quarter-final place had been secured but the team won that last game. Our quarter final was away to Cavan in Breffini Park. Despite some injury and illness absentees, we led by four points going into the final minutes, lost concentration and Cavan won by a point. The main objective of retaining Division 2 status had been achieved and championship was always the possibility.

Championship

The hat trick of Leinster titles was now the stated aim, with a return to Croke Park on All Ireland final day to recover the 2001 loss, the real but never spoken objective.

Good early wins over Offaly and Dublin juniors paved the way for Leinster semi-final meeting with Wicklow. The garden county had been having a lean time in recent years but cam out firing on all cylinders and Kildare had to battle all the way for a narrow win. The Leinster final was in a sense, a disappointment. Laois had no answers as Kildare led by 12 points by half time and finished 2-18 to 1-6, emphatic winners. The hatrick of Leinster titles was in the bag and it was on to the All Ireland series.

The Ulster Champions, Donegal, away was the tough call. The memory of the National League win in Confey in April was reason for optimism as we headed off on the Friday evening. Ballybofey on Saturday 19th August 2002 turned into one of the great sagas. Kildare led from early on and even with Donegal benefiting from sympathetic refereeing, Kildare led by a goal with time almost up but disaster struck and Donegal equalised. In the first half of extra time, Donegal raced into a seven- point lead, scoring six points from handy close in frees. The Kildare right back brought the deficit down to one point with one minute left, but there was no fairytale ending, and the opportunity to atone for the deficit in the 2001 All Ireland final has to await another year.

There was some committee room activity afterwards, the real aim of which was draw attention to the referring deficiencies, one of which was to hand Donegal vital wind advantage for the first half of extra time without a toss.

The Club Scene

On the club scene, Confey as our only senior club went straight into the Leinster Senior Club Championship. A tie with reigning Dublin and Leinster Champions, Ballyboden proved too much for them, especially as they were much depleted by illness and injury but Confey are a formidable club and will bounce back.

Grangenovlan similarly represented Kildare at intermediate level, reaching the Leinster final with ease. The final was a repeat of the junior decider of the previous year. On this occasion the Dublin Club Naomh Mearnog put up a much better show but Grangenovlan scraped it. In the all Ireland semi-final, Grangenovlan came up against the side who had beaten them in 2001 All Ireland junior final. This time, Grangenovlan led until 3 minutes from the end and then a late goal left them shattered. Ann Hughes had led her team with distinction and next year at senior level, they will be a major force.

County Championships

Athgarvan captured the county title for the first time, surprising Maynooth in the final, with team captain, Aisling Lambe getting Player of the Match and deservedly so.

The “B” winners were Eadestown and their team captain, Deirdre Boylan, was latrer nominated County Player of the Year. The young Na Fianna side may have lost the final but are a team for the future.

The 2001 minor finals were played early in the year with Confey defeating Leixlip in the “A” and Carbury winning a close “B” final from Na Fianna.

Leixlip had a clean sweep of the Juvenile Championships, Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 and added the summer junior leage for good measure. At Under 12, Eadestown won the “B” title, Naas the “C”, while at Under 14, Eadestown again collected the Shield with clane gallant runners up but at Under 16, Eadestown lost out in their treble attempt. Naas proving worthy Shield winners.

Leagues

The Under 12 Division 1 final, Leixlip v Carbury is due to be played on the Sunday after this article is written, while Naas won Division 2 with Sarsfields as runners up.

At Under 14 in Division 1, Confey reversed championship form beating Leixlip in the final and the Division 2 proved a historic for Ballykelly as they won a final fir the first time overcoming gallant Clane.

The Summer League, an 11 a side format providing summer football for club players as their county colleagues concentrate on Leinster Championship, had three divisions this year, which were topped by Leixlip, Carbury and Ballykelly.

The Junior Leagues resulted in wins for Eadestown in Division 2 as they completed the double and now return in division 1 status in style.

Carbury were the runners up, a great achievement for such a young side. The Division 1 final saw Leixlip fresh from a great semi-final win over Confey in their first top level final but Grangenovlan proved their senior status with an emphatic win.

INSERT CLUBS BY YEAR

IN EXCEL

County Roll of Honour 2002

Kildare:

Leinster Under 12 Under 14 Runners Up

Divison 2 Winners Under 16 Champions

Division 1 Runners Up Junior Champions

County Championships

Championship Winners 2002 Athgarvan

Championship Runners Up 2002 Maynooth

Championship B Winners 2002 Eadestown

Championship B Runners Up 2002 Na Fianna

League Division 1 Winners 2002 Grangenovlan

League Division 1 Runners Up 2002 Leixlip

League Division 2 Winners 2002 Eadestown

League Division 2 Runners Up 2002 Carbury

Under 12 Championship Winners 2002 Leixlip

Under 12 Championship Runners Up 2002 Carbury

Under 12 Shield Winners 2002 Eadestown

Under 12 Shield Runners Up Confey

Under 12 C Winners 2002 Naas

Under 12 C Runners Up 2002 Sarsfields

Under 14 Championship Winners 2002 Leixlip

Under 14 Championship runners Up 2002 Balyna

Under 14 Shield Winners 2002 Eadestown

Minor Division 1 Winners 2002 Confey

Minor Division 1 Runners Up 2002 Leixlip

Minor Division 2 Winners 2002 Balyna

Minor Division 2 Runners 2002 Nas/Baile Eide

Under 14 Shield Runners Up 2002 Clane

Under 16 Championship Winners Leixlip

Under 16 Championship Runners Up Confey

Under 16 Shield Winners Naas

Under 16 Shield Runners Up Eadestown

Leagues

Under 12 League Division 1 Winners Leixlip

Under 12 League Division 1 Runners Up Carbury

Under 12 League Division 2 Winners Naas

Under 12 League Division 2 Runners up Sarsfields

Under 14 League Division 1 Winners 2002 Confey

Under 14 League Division 1 Runners Up 2002 Leixlip

Under 14 League Division 2 Winners Ballykelly

Under 14 League Division 2 Runners Up Clane

Summer League Division 1 Winners Leixlip

Summer League Division 2 Winners Carbury

Summer League Division 3 Winners Ballykelly

2001 Winners not included in last years report

Minor Division 1 Winners 2001 Confey

Minor Division 1 Runners Up 2001 Leixlip

Minor Division 2 Winners 2001 Carbury

Minor Division 2 Runners Up 2001 Na Fianna

Club History Chart

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

Leixlip √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Kilcock √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Eadestown √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Athgarvan √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Carbury √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Castledermot √ √

Clogherinkoe/Balyna C C C C C C B B B B B

Kill √ √ √

Monasterevan √

Robertstown √ √ √ √ √

Round Towers √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Sprinfield/Rathangan S S S R R R R R R

Confey √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Maynooth √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Grangenovlan √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Ballykelly √ √ √ √ √ √

Sarsfields √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Sallins √ √

Clane √ √ √ √

St Laurences √ √ √ √

Castlemitchell √ √

Celbridge √ √ √ √

Naas √ √ √ √ √ √

Prosperous √ √ √ √ √

Na Fianna √ √ √ √ √

Moorefield √ √ √ √

Raheens √ √ √ √

Cappagh √ √ √ √

Suncroft √ √ √

St Kevins √

Milltown √ √

Kilcullen √

Ellistown √

Total No of Clubs 3 12 13 13 16 13 16 17 18 23 24 27

County Board Officers 2003

Position Name Address

Chairperson Tom Ryan 9 Ryevale Lawns

Leixlip

Vice-Chairperson Michael Nolan 41 College Park

Newbridge

Secretary Chairperson acting as Secretary

Treasurer Simone Gilabert 92 Glendara

Kill

Registrar Antionette Mooney 826 Greenfields

Maynooth

PRO John Holden Eyre Street

Newbridge

Development Willie Sargent Wolfestown

Officer Rathmore

Naas

Fixtures Eimhin NiChonchuir 16 Dun Na Riogh Walk

Secretary

Central Jim Heducan 115 Glendale

Council Leixlip

Delegate

Leinster Mick Sweeney 32 Glendale

Council Leixlip

Delegate

History 2003

The big event of the year for Kildare Ladies football was without doubt the All Ireland final. The team with Frank Delaney, Mick Feeney and Johnny Leahy in charge had progressed nicely during the year after a slow start when losing the first National League game to Roscommon in St Conleth’s Park.

Having achieved the goal of staying in division 2 in 2002, qualification for the knock out stages was hoped for but not the goal for the year. That was for October. Cork proved too strong in the in the League semi-final with Wicklow. With the memory of the fright a year earlier at the same stage, Wicklow had given Kildare in Old grange, this was serious business from the start, and by half time, Kildare had a fifth consecutive Leinster Final place booked. Dublin provided much sterner opposition this time but the result was never really in doubt. With the Leinster title secured, the serious business of the All Ireland came into focus.

Surprise Munster winners Tipperary were comprehensively blown away in the semi-final in Portarlington. That it was our first semi-final win, and the first Championship win over a home county outside Leinster added to the satisfaction. While Brianne got the Player of the Match, and very deservedly so, for many, the highlight of the day was the display by sixteen year old Aisling Holton, making her full championship debut.

The All Ireland, with its list of requirements for the programme, the mini team, tickets for the game, the first all ticket All Ireland ladies football final and the banquet, kept many of us busy. As training picked up in Hawkfield, the team was focused. That so many were returning to college was a bit of nuisance but all looked good.

The game started well, and for the first ten or fifteen minutes, Kildare had the lead. But then, Donegal powered into the game, got crucial goals and we could just not get back into the game, despite dominating possession in the later stages.

On the day, Donegal fully merited their win and we congratulate them. That they targeted Kildare as the likely All Ireland final opponents as far back as February, had most of Kildare’s league and championship games videoed and analysed by a couple of the GAA’s master tacticians/analysts and could afford to bring the team to Citywest for three days before the All Ireland (cost €16,000+) shows the depth of their planning and preparation. There were a couple of sour notes. Many were shocked that Mick O’Dwyer joined the Donegal preparation in Citywest, although I, for one, can’t believe the quotation since attributed to him in local gossip. I was incensed by the fouls on Antionette Mooney and Julie Cunningham. A cynic might even suspect some planning, especially when combined with the “stop them outside the fifty” policy.

We now need to respond to both the County Board and the team, not be drawn into petty squabbles with opponents and make on almighty effort to win the All Ireland in 2004. There will be new people in charge, both within the County Board and the team management and I wish all of them well.

To Frank and Ursula Delaney, for the huge work over the last six years, to Mick Feeney who was part of three of those years and to Johnny Leahy, a selector in 2002 and 2003, Brednan Downey, Paddy McCartney, Paddy Lawlor and Reiltin Treacy, thank you for a job well done.

Minor

The county minors, under the guidance of Janice O’Brien, Nuala O’Mahoney, Ann Nolan and Paul drum had a difficult task as our only county team facing a straight knockout championship. Drawn to face Offaly in a quarter-final, the form book said, should be easy but the “faithful” in Cappincur proved no such thing, and it was a very lucky Kildare that got a narrow in. The semi-final v Laois looked a far more difficult task for Leixlip. Some astute counter-measures kept Laois in check and very rattled until a late defensive mix up, compounded by a refereeing blunder, led to a Laois goal that was followed by another, a brilliant solo effort saw Kildare’s brilliant effort fall just short and Laois proved their ability by winning the Leinster final in Newbridge in a controversial game that got their manager a six-month suspension.

Under 16

With Michael McKiernan again in charge, assisted by Geraldine McKiernan and Nuala O’Mahony, excellent wins over Wexford and Laois saw the team qualify for the Leinster semi-final despite narrow losses to Meath and Dublin. Dublin were the semi-final opposition and in a marvellous match in Allenwood, we fell just short as a late Dublin goal gave them a narrow win as Kildare’s last attack was slowed by a tactical foul and then a goal line clearance. The Dubs went on to clinch the Leinster title but this grade, over the last two years, has provided Kildare with, not just a Leinster title, but great hope for the future with a stream of excellent young footballers, not just for Minor, but for the Junior team as well.

Leinster Young Player of the Year

A bonus at the end of the year was the selection of the first Leinster Young Player of the Year, as one of the outstanding Under 16 players in both years, Aisling Holton. While it may have been her displays for the juniors that brought her the final notch, the initial efforts of Brigid and Willie Murphy in Carbury and the polishing at county Under 16 by Michael, Geraldine, Nuala and Mary McEvoy, was a major step in the winning of this first such Leinster award.

She, along with the other provincial winners was presented her award at the All-Star banquet in Citywest and she only looked smashing that night also.

Under 14

A new look management comprising Willie Sargent, Noel Dinneny, Brian Byrne and the stalwart Mary McEvoy had quite a season with a very young squad.

Dublin proved different class but close games with Wexford, Meath and Laois saw Kildare finish fourth and playing B winners Westmeath in a quarter-final in Mullingar. Injury and illness depleted the squad and an exceptionally strong Lake County Team won through on a spilling wet day. With so many of the team still eligible for 2004, we can look on the year as a good effort as well as excellent preparation for the coming year. The All Ireland Blitz in Mullingar also provided a good day out, but being slap bang in the middle of the holiday season, it was not as easy to take it seriously. Fielding was a victory in itself.

Under 12

Brigid Murphy, Janet O’Malley, Angeline, Theresa Redmond and Ann O’Shea took on the onerous task of fielding two teams at the Leinster Blitz and they got great help from Karen Murphy and Aisling Holton. Carbury provided the venue for trials and training and on the day, the Kildare squad under the direction of Ann, Karen and Jennifer, put on a series of brilliant displays.

County Leagues

Senior

Grangenovlan retained their Division 1 title but what a fright Athgarvan gave them in the final. When Tracey Noone’s scoring prowess had them in trouble, Kate and Brianne Leahy pulled out all the stops to open the way for Yvonne Murphy’s winning goal.

Division 2 provided some great games all through and the play offs were hectic.

Na Fianna brought Suncroft to extra time in a thrilling semi-final while Ballykelly pushed Prosperous to the limit in the other semi-final. Then in the final in St Conleth’s Park, only asked for at Suncroft’s suggestion, in a game that the “Croft” twice looked to have won, a last ditch Prosperous goal sent the game into extra time and an injury time goal overturned a two-point Suncroft lead. It was tough on Suncroft but Aine McCormack’s 93rd minute run from midfield crowned with a smashing goal was worthy of winning any game. Goal of the year in my book.

Division three provided Kilcock with their first silverware, having battled since 1992, a long list of hard luck stories were consigned to the paper shredder as this win will provide vindication to manager Eileen Collins and long serving players like Sinead Gibbons, Sonia Mulligan and Nuala Lynam.

The one gripe on the Senior League is that too many games were not played. Some can be put down to county involvement but too many were just avoidance and girls wanting to play football.

Under Age

The new Autumn league brought victory for Confey over Sarsfields in Under 15 Division 1 and for the Maynooth over Eadestown in the Under 15 Shield, but it is disappointing that the plans for Under 13 and Under 11 went badly awry, despite the efforts of Fixtures Secretary Eimhin Ni Chonchuir and Development Officer, Willie Sargent and the incentive of a place at All-Ireland Feile 2004 for the Under 13 winners. The lessons for 2004 include strict competition rules and a prompt start.

Naas have won the Under 11A with a promising team who look like making a big impression. Confey were the Runners up. Eadestown took the 11B title at the expense of Clane.

The Under 13 A is between Confey and Leixlip while Sarsfields took the 13B overcoming Carbury in the final played in Sarsfields as a neutral venue could not found and Carbury sportingly agreed to a toss which they called wrongly.

Championships

Under 12: Carbury proved to be the very best and deservedly won the A Championship with Clane surprising but equally worthy winners of the Shield whily Balyna won the C with an exciting final win over Milltown.

Under 14: Leixlip powered their way to this title and a place in Feile in Galway. The Shield was won by Sarfields and Maynooth the C title.

Under 16: Confey got back on winning ways in the Juvenile Championship overcoming Naas in the final and will have enjoyed taking the title from holders and neighbours Leixlip while the Shield also went to Sarsfield.

Minor: The town rivalry was rally on display in the A final as Leixlip won their first title at this level, having lost the previous year’s final to Confey.

The Shield went to Nas/Bale Eide who had to battle to get to the final, but found Sarsfields on an off day and won fairly handy on the day.

Junior B: This championship was much delayed due to a series of unfortunate events initially and then by the County’s qualification for the All-Irland. The finaly was played on Saturday 14th December, the final pairing Na Fianna v Kilcock. On the day Na Fianna won their first adult title but Kilcock gave them one hell of a fight.

There are lessons for the New Year for us all. A ground of our own would solve a lot of difficulties.

Junior A: An August Sunday in St Conleth’s Park saw Sarsfields triumph. While Leixlip put up a great battle, the Sash had an ace, which they played in the second half, switching a game Janice O’Brien from goal to half-forward. Although handicapped by her knee injury, Janice turned the tide and Sarsfields went on to a good victory in the first round of the Leinster Club but lost narrowly in the semi-final with Janice undergoing surgery.

Intermediate: With only one club at this level, Athgarvan represented us in Leinster. A great victory away to St Forcherans of Carlow was followed by a thrilling game in the Leinster semi-final in Glasnevin v Na Fianna (the Dublin version). A late point saved Na Fianna and brought the game to extra time. Yes. Another one. The difference in manpower (i.e. is there a politically correct version?) resources told in extra time as Aisling Lambe, Lorraine Whyte, Edel Delaney and Mairead Whelehan were forced off by injury while Tracy Noone limped on to the end. A brave effort by a brave team.

Senior: Grangenovlan were deservedly crowned our first Senior champions. However, the biggest disappointment of this year for me was the failures in this competition. That Confey folded after losing their first game of the round robin was a huge let down, not just for me but also for many fans of ladies football in the county and for Confey Club and their many committed players. That there was no final was disastrous but it must be said that Athgarvan said from the moment they entered that they were looking for competitive games in preparation for involvement in the Leinster Intermediate Club Championship, and that a large group of their players would be away on holidays on county finals day was never a secret, having been arranged in anticipation of a two team senior championship not involving Athgarvan. That I was partly at fault for the disaster cannot be denied and, having been away on holiday for the two weeks prior to the final, was not the best arrangement I ever made. I hold my hands up and apologise. I am not the only one who could have made a difference.

In the Leinster Club, Senchalstown proved must too strong for Grangenovlan, but the initial disappointment must be reappraised in view of the Meath’s side subsequent success winning Leinster and reaching the All-Ireland.

All Star Nomination:

Tracy Noone got a very deserved nomination and we were all disappointed when she did not achieve the ultimate recognition at that glorious banquet in Citywest. Aisling Holton’s award was Kildare’s lot on the night but Tracy has now been selected on the Rest of Ireland team to travel to New York with the All-Stars on April 29th 2004. Well done Tracy, enjoy New York.

Additional Clubs:

During the year Kilcullen and Elistown affiliated for the first time and Monasterevan renewed theirs after a break since 1992. They are welcome indeed.

County Roll of Honour 2003

Kildare:

Leinster Junior Champions

All-Ireland Junior Runners Up

County Championships

Champ Winners 2003

Senior Winners 2003 Grangenovlan – The first

Junior A Winners 2003 Sarsfields

Junior A Runners Up 2003 Leixlip

Junior B Winners 2003 N Fianna

Junior B Runners Up 2003 Kilcock

League Division 1 Winners 2003 Grangenovlan

League Division 1 Runners Up 2003 Athgarvan

League Division 2 Winners 2003 Prosperous

League Division 2 Runners Up 2003 Suncroft

League Division 3 Winners 2003 Kilcock

League Division 3 Runners Up 2003 Moorefield

Under 12 Championship Winners 2003 Carbury

Under 12 Championship Runners Up 2003 Sarsfields

Under 12 Shield Winners 2003 Clane

Under 12 Shield Wrunners up 2003 Leixlip

Under 12 C Winners 2003 Balyna

Under 12 C Runners Up 2003 Milltown

Under 14 Championship Winners 2003 Leixlip

Under 14 Championship runners up 2003 Balyna

Under 14 Shield Winners 2003 Sarsfields

Under 14 Shield runners up 2003 Ballykelly

Under 14 C Winners 2003 Maynooth

Under 14 Championship runners up 2003 Eadestown

Under 16 Championship winners 2003 Confey

Under 16 Championship runners up 2003 Naas

Under 16 Shield Winners 2003 Sarsfields

Under 16 Shield Runners up 2003 Ballykelly

Minor Championship Winners 2003 Leixlip

Minor Championship runners up Confey

Minor Shield Winners 2003 Nas/Baile Eide

Minor Shield runners up 2003 Sarsfields

County Leagues

Under 11 League Division 1 Winners 2003 Naas

Under 11 League Division 1 runners up 2003 Confey

Under 11 League Division 2 Winners 2003 Eadestown

Under 11 League Division 2 runners up 2003 Clane

Under 13 League Division 1 Winners 2003 Confey or Leixlip

Under 13 League Division 1 runners up 2003 Confey or Leixlip

Under 13 League Division 2 winners 2003 Sarsfields

Under 13 League division 2 runners up 2003 Carbury

Under 15 League Division 1 Winners 2003 Confey

Under 15 League Division 1 runners up 2003 Sarsfields

Under 15 League Division 2 Winners 2003 Maynooth

Under 15 League Division 2 runners up 2003 Eadestown

Club/Ladies Football Committee Chairperson & Secretary Contact List 2003

Club Chairperson Secretary Ladies Football Contact

Athgarvan Brian Walsh Frank Delaney

29 Millford 25 Moorefield Drive

Athgarvan Newbridge

045-442208 045-433627 087-2442877

frank_delaney@gilette

frankdel@eircom.net

Ballykelly John Behan Corinne Cullen Senior/Under 15

Bally Old Grange, Monasterevan John Lawler

Monasterevan 045-525138 Derryoughter, Kildangan

045-525458 jncullen@dol.ie

045-523702 – 087-2807764

relwal@eircom.net

Balyna Irene Hurley Mary McEvoy

Dunfierth Kilrathmurray, Clonard, Enfield

Enfield 0405-51300

0405-41956 087-6524521

Cappagh Orla Mullally Joint Sec. Aoife McCarthy

Hortlands, Donadea Clonsast, Laragh

Naas Kilcock

045-869239 087-9911980

087-9241469

Carbury Angeline Cummins Brigid Murphy Message for sec to

0405-53670 Ballyhagan Willie Murphy

Carbury 085-2351828

085-7305272

Celbridge Mick O’Reilly Dorothy Kiely Damien Lee

01-6288969 Celbridge GAA Club 087-6615900

Hazelhatch Road

Celbridge

01-6288578

celbridgegaa@oceanfree.net

Clane Pat Deay Anne Bailey

The Sycamores 18 Hillview

Firmount, Clane Clane

045-892949 045-868517 045447055 (w)

086-2617011 087-2781325

baileya2@wyeth.com

Confey Mick Sweeney Maria Fallon County Under 16

32 Glendale, Leixlip 113 Glendale Meadows Geraldine McKiernan

01-6246274 Leixlip 01-6242694 087-6808789

086-8700548 jfallon@tinet.ie

01-6243821

Eadestown Mary Fitzsimons Eimhin Ni Chonchuir For U/12,U/14,U16

Rathmore, Naas Punchestown Upper and County U/14

045-862210 Rathmore, Naas Willie Sargent

045-875046 (fax) 045-862171

087-9896708 086-8361341

Ellistown John Tierney Bernadine O’Hara Bernadine O’Hara

045-529360 Clonbrin, Rathangan

086-6086910 045-524776 – 086-3796957

Grangenovlan Joe Donovan Niamh Cunnane Yvonne Murphy

1637 Ballyroe, Athy Ardreigh, Rathangan 087-6272186

0507-33016 0507-31042 Ann Hughes

087-9845991 086-3796957 087-4187685

Kilcock Grainne Gormley Sheena Byrne

28 Courtown Park, Kilcock 087-6612005

01-4307265 Under age

087-2859080 Bernie Durkan 087-7822453

Kilcullen Sue Goulding Jennefit Shortt Jennifer Shortt

38 Bishop Rogan Park Logstown jenshortt@eircom.net

Kilcullen Kilcullen

045-481447 045-481642 (h) 045-481428087

Kill Michael Kelly Michael Behan Joe Temple

the Gables, Kill Tuckmilton 045-877005

045-877249 Castlewarden, Straffan 087-2554546

086-2541682 01-4587574, 087-6173831 Joe Corrigan

045-877184

Leixlip Kathleen Moolick Brian Byrne

295 Ryevale Lawns, Leixlip 321 Ryevale Lawns, Leixlip

01-6246333 01-6243342

bpfbyrne@eircom.net

Maynooth Tracey Kearney LeeAnn Hughes Laura Keyes

5 Carton Court 1184 Old Greenfield 3 Beaufield Close

Maynooth Maynooth Maynooth

087-2772777 087-9524302 01-6286958

01-6285939 087-2966894

Milltown Michael Hanlon Michael Moore U/12 Catherine Sweeney

Roseberry, Newbridge Milltown, Newbridge 045-434105

045-436492 045-524822 087-7700656

Grainne Hill 086-8564461

Monasterevan Mary O’Connor Rowan

Kill, Monasterevan

045-525574

Moorefield Tom McDonnell Frances Kelly Trainer: Liz Doran

137 Allenview Heights Blackberry Lane 0405-72905 (w)

Newbridge Newbridge 087-1927890

045-431563 045-434143

087-9400703

Naas Barry Hoban Charlie White U/16: Colette Callinan

15 Oakglynn, Naas 298 Sunday’s Well 045-895173

045-875159 Naas U/14: Dennis O’Sullivan &

045-866552 Valerie Keane

087-7927642

U/12:Enda Dunne

annoshea@eircom.net

Na Fianna Caitriona Kavanagh Laura Moran Monica Moran

Ballyteague, Kilmeague Derrymullen, Roberstown 087-7537397

Naas Naas U/16:Nuala O’Mahoney

045-860018 045-870152, 087-2071683 045-870464, 087-6222593

Prosperous Johnny Keating Aine McCormack While Aine is in Australia

The Downings Downings, Prosperous Jennifer Ward 087-9213238

Prosperous, Naas Naas

045-8922025 045-868234, 087-9054216

Raheens Suzanne Ivers Shiela Campbell Fixtures Secretary

Black Trench Newtown, Donore, Naas Sheila Campbell

Caragh, Naas 045-870203

01-4011196, 087-1367821

Round Towers John Morrissey Ann Molloy Mick Kelly

Rathbride Road 25 Farrenberg Glebe 1239 Campion Crescent

Kildare Kildare Kildare

087-2797605 045-521123 045-522606, 086-1508549

Sallins Tom Cross Pat mcCarthy Alicia Kirwan

087-2568827 salins@gaa.ie

45 Osberstown Park

Sallins

045-875403

Sarsfields Seamus McCabe Noel Dinneny Senior Ladies-Tom O’Hanlon

59 Mount Carmel 70 The Elms, Newbridge Co.Minor-Janice O’Brien

Newbridge 045-434185 10b Mount Carmel

045-435550 01-6072669 (w) Newbridge

087-2968774 Noel.Dinneny@daff.irlgov.ie

045-433451, 087-9342046

Suncroft Orla Dillon Gwen Deering Gwen Deering

Ballyshannon, Suncroft 43 Castle Raven

The Curragh Nurney

045-485337, 087-7982055 045-526833, 087-6705153

County Board Officers

Year 2004

Chairperson: Seamus McCabe

Vice Chairperson: Michael Nolan

Secretary: Tom Ryan

Treasurer: Marie Clancy

Finance Committee Chairperson: Brian Byrne

Registrar: Mick Hannafin

PRO: John Holden

Development Officer: Willie Sargent

Fixtures Secretary: Seamus McCabe

Oifeach Gaelach: Aine Ni She

Children’s Officer: Geraldin e Sweeney

Central Council Delegates: Jim Heduan

Tom Ryan

Leinster Council Delegates: Noel Dinnmeny

Tom Ryan

2004

A historic year

Without any doubt whatever this year has been a brilliant success for Kildare Ladies Football.

To win promotion to Division 1 of the Suzuki National eague by beating Donegal in the Division 2 semi-final was a magic moment. The backdrop to that day, the All Ireland loss to the same opponents in 2003, the deaths in the two preceding weeks of great supporter Tony Mooney and of team Manager Sean “Goggy” Delaney. The Kildare team emerging from the dressing rooms walking in single file, Brianne leading and every player behind with a hand firmly on the should in front, a solid white line united in memory and in the common cause Goggy had preached.

They were a team on fire. Nothing was being allowed to deflect from that cuase. Donegal tried very hard but Kildare had the motivation. What a display of unity of purpose and pure football. The team, players, management, Nuala, Peter and Janice, he must have been proud of that.

The League final was another special day and a marvellous win. It was a different day. That massive emotion we had for the semi-final was absent. The pressure was off until the game started. Then it got very very serious. A not so good first half was followed by a brilliant second and while Louth made it close in the end, another victory over senior opposition was deservedly won…The win was great. Swifts were good too.

Having lost the first League game at the end of 2003, it was quite an achievement to put together wins over Leitrim and Donegal with an easy win over Galway B and then an amazing quarter-final win over Clare. Some of us had memories of a pasting not many years earlier in Milltown Malbay.

The priority of promotion had been set down in January and the chance came be mark on Sunday 18th April in Londford. As the solid white line emerged from the dressing rooms in Pearse Park, we all knew something special was afoot. That Donegal were the opposition was incidental. The February game in Carrick-on-Shannon had cleansed the All Ireland loss and now only that coveted place in Division 1 mattered. On the day Kildare were the superior team. Our first National Senior title secured and now there was another serious job of work on hand.

The Leinster Championship was a stepping stone. Offaly, Longford Juniors and Meath Juniors were comfortably beaten and Westmeath did not field.

Dublin Juniors in the semi-final were expected to put up stiff opposition but that apparently did not materialise. The major development from that day was the emergence of a “support” group, which later played a huge role. Nuala’s accident and serious injuries were a worry.

In the Leinster final, Wexford proved doughty opposition. Nuala on the crutches was driving every one. The Kildare team were in no mood to give up the Leinster title and came through to record a fifth title in a row. That Brianne Leahy captained all five winning teams is a great credit to the Grangenovlan lady.

Next up was Sunday 12th September and the TG4 All Ireland Junior semi-final in St Loman’s Mullingar. Armagh the opposition. With the wind in the first half we did not score enough and losing to the sin-bin on the cusp of half-time would have sunk many a team. That Kildare actually outscored Armagh into the gale during those eight minutes it was 13 v 15 showed the spirit. There was no doubt after that.

Last year I wrote “We now need to respond, both the County Board and the team, not to be drawn into petty squabbles with opponents, and make one almighty effort to win the All-Ireland in 2004”.

Now the opportunity was at hand. With Sean O’Toole, Martin Dunne and John Nolan now on board with Nuala, preparations were thorough. Every avenue explored, every eventuality covered. Hawkfield almost became home. I never knew what Brian Byrne’s role actually was. He was always there, working.

The back up from Marie Clancy, Martin Dolan and Maura Holton was great. Food, real food after training. Martin always had something new planned. Nuala was recovering fast.

The Fund Raising Committee came good with the Nite at the Greyhounds. The team management, players and county officers did not have to worry about money. Whatever was needed was available. Things done right for the team.

The visit to Croke Park a few days before the Day settled nerves. Na Fianna in Dublin made their pitch available on the morning. Near enough but totally private. Thanks to a gracious club.

The All Ireland for me was a bit of a blur. Kildare were well in command. At half-time a nice lead stretched, then Sligo hit a purple patch. Some would say a lucky patch. Kildare character was being seriously examined. The examination was passed with honours. Players, every player took a grip and the good lead was restored. Now it was counting down the last few minutes. I have one great memory. The players on the sideline, lined up and ready to charge, and charge they did. Adrian Melia’s photograph captured the moment perfectly.

Brianne captured the moment with her words, “The West County Cup was going to the Short Grass County”.

Citywest that night was some celecbration and the reception in Newbridge was class. Thanks to the Newbridge Town Council. Paddy Kennedy deserves a special mention.

There are many people to remember and thank. From Mick Fitzpatrick, the first County Manager in 1992, Mick Delaney, Gerry Latham, Paul Murphy, Frank Delaney, who in four years was unbeaten in Leinster, Brendan Downey, Paddy Lawlor, Paddy McCartney, Mick Feeney and Johnny Leahy, all played a part.

There are many more who were selectors and coaches. The mentors who brought the players through Under-Age in Club and County.

A special word for one player. Last January in the first game of the year, Grainne Heducan suffered a serious injury. Despite all her efforts she did not manage a competitive game all year. As I pen these words she is still in hospital recovering from surgery on the contrary shoulder. How she would have loved to play in the final, after five years hard graft. Do get well soon Gra.

The next year will bring a new challenge for the team and County Board. It will take an even mightier effort to survive senior. All of us must support the effort.

Minor

The County Minors, under the guidance of Janice O‘Brien, Paul Drumm and Nuala O’Mahony had a massive win over Meath and Dublin to qualify for the Leinster final. The Meath game as Goggy lay ill in hospital was as emotional as it gets. The senior team showed their class with a massive show of support.

In the final everything went wrong. The early injury that reduced Aisling Holton to a limping corner forward was a cruel blow and Laois just could not stop scoring goals even with Catriona Dolan starring in goals. Reaching the Leinster Minor final for the first time was only mean to be one step. Getting there proved it can be done. It is vital that we build the minor grade. Others have profited in a very big way by doing that. Most of the squad are there for 2005, so as they say “Lets get out there”.

Under 16

Michael McKiernan had Colette Callinan and later Anto Mooney with him in charge this year. Geraldine McKiernan was never far from the action either. Despite excellent preparation and a few big wins the semi-final spot was just missed in a play-off. There was no lack of effort or commitment and many of the team are there for next year. With a strong group due up from Under 14, next year has great promise and Anto has taken on the managerial role. Having played county junior from age 14, she knows what is needed and we wish her well. Michael and Geraldine McKiernan have made a massive conribution to the county over the last few years, three I think, winning our first Leinster Under-age title was so important and they with Nuala O’Mahony did that job. While they have now stepped aside, I hope it won’t be for long. Well Geraldine is already involved in the Supporters Club and the hope is that we will see plenty more from Geraldine and Michael.

Under 14

Willie Sargent continued in charge and brought in Bernadette Walsh and Leo Foy, while Mary McEvoy also continued and they had a great year. That Dublin had a truly exceptional team was the only problem. Big wins over all except Dublin who were a goal to the good in a thriller in Portmarnock saw Kildare safely into the semi-final. Westmeath were a different proposition in the semi from the side who meekly accepted a hammering in Carbury a few weeks earlier. After a huge scare and a massive effort, the girls pulled it off and qualified for the final. There it did not happen. Dublin were too good and went on to win the All Ireland. To reach yet another final was a great achievement for all involved. Having to start on the day with Ciara Hogan upset the balance and the early injury to Karen O’Shea was another big blow. With Willie and Leo on holidays, Bernadette took charge for the Blitzes. Robbie Jameson helped with the Kildare team in Leinster as Martin Sweeney and Michael Hanlon from Milltown helped by taking the Cill Dara team and got to the final. For the All Ireland in Mullingar, Mary McEvoy was back to help Bernie. Well done and thanks.

Willie and Co., we need to see plenty more of you all.

Under 12

Brigid Murphy, Janet O’Malley, Angeline Cummins and Ann O’Shea took on the onerous task of fielding two teams at the June Leinster Blitz. Lisa Cummins, Catriona Dolan and Andrea Brereton were roped in as well. Ann, with Hiliary Pigott,

Aoife Trant and Leilia McSweeney looked after the Kildare squad, who performed very well.

Brigid, Janet, Angeline and Marian Dolan concentrated on the Cill Dara team, ensuring every girl got a game. They continued training sessions and the numbers grew so that for the September Blitz, another team, the Lily Whites were added. Peter Kelly and Sandra Kelly were by now also recruited. Brigid Murphy seems to attract players and mentors in large numbers. It’s not a bad trait!!! The full list of mentprs for the September Blitz was:

Kildare: Peter Kelly Sandra Kelly

Cill Dara: Brigid Murphy Angeline Cummins Janet O’Malley

Lily Whites: Catriona Dolan Andrea Brereton Lisa Cummins

Mick Kelly

Brigid also held a presentation night for her players in Carbury. Social outings as well as football for more than sixty children. Well done Brigid and now she’s the County Under 14 Manager.

2005 Preparations

The county Under 16 and Under 14 teams preparations for 2005 are well underway with Anto and Brigid already making their mark, and Janice plans pre-Christmas work for the minor as well. This is a new development in the county. Others have been doing it and making it count so Kildare needed to catch up.

Championships

Under 12: Sarsfields got the reward for a well-organised effort, proved to be the very best, and deservedly won the A Championship. Confey pushed them all the way and come next Autumn’s Under 13, their meeting will be very interesting.

Carbury won the Shield comfortably with Moorefield again having to be satisfied with the silver medals. We won’t see Carbury in shields too often in the future while Moorefield will be a force in the not too distant future if Frances Kelly and Co. keep up their present work rate.

In the C, Milltown topped Ballykelly to win their first Championship. Catherine Sweeney and Grainne Hill have made great efforts to get this far and the win for hard earned, but well deserved while Ballykelly were the runners up.

Under 14: Leixlip powered their way to this title for a third year in a row but were hard pushed by a young Confey side in the final.

In the Shield, Milltown continued their excellent year with a narrow win over Eadestown.

Under 16: Leixlip regained the title overcoming surprise finalists Maynooth who had just arrived in the A. Leixlip were very strong and it was a big step for Maynooth who will be more than pleased with their semi-finals win over Confey.

Ballykelly finally won a championship when they got the better of Eadestown in the Shield final. This was a long overdue win after far too many sets of silver medals for John Lawlor’s likening.

Minor: Leixlip and Nas/Baile Eide nasBaileEide, the B winners from 2003 are in the final.

Sarsfields captured the Shield after missing out in last year’s fnal with Ballykelly pushing them all the way, through extra time to the last kick.

Moorefield, Athgarvan and Suncroft contested the first Minor C with the Curragh combination pulling through in the second half after the “Croft” had looked the likely team for most of the first half. For the Moorefield section of the “combo” winning a title after missing out in four finals this year will lift the spirits. It won’t take that much more for the “Moors” to.

Junior B: Suncroft secured their first championship with a well deserved win over a Prosperous side going through a bit of transition. The “Croft” have worked hard over the last couple of years and the efforts of Gwen Deering, Helen Sexton and Leo Foy on and off the field, got a just reward.

Junior A: Leixlip put their disappointment of losing the 2003 final behind them with a great win in this years decider. Final opponents Maynooth have always proved difficult for Leixlip to beat. On this occasion Leixlip were ready and won a grat victory. Wins against Westmeath and Wexford opposition saw them into a Leinster final but maybe the opposion being from Kilkenny took an edge off their game. In the final in O’Moore Park, they never got to grips with Railyard who were deserving winners.

Intermediate: Sarsfield stepped up from junior in style. The county title was won in a smashing contest with Aghgarvan. Then the Leinster odyssey. Well they had been set the challenge by Athgarvan’s grat Leinster run in 2003. Reaching the Leinster final at the first attempt was great and then they gave us heart attacks. A disastrous start was followed by a wonderful come back and then they gave us another couple of scares before just making it. The Leinster title regained for Kildare. Tyholland in the All Ireland series was a bridge too far this time but the “Sash” will be serious seniors next year.

Senior: The biggest disappointment this year was Confey’s failure to field in the senior championship. Having blazed the trail just a couple of years back there is a big job of work to recover the prominent position so recently held. Grangenovlan found themselves straight into the Leinster Senior without a game and it told the Meath champions who were that little bit sharper.

County Leagues

Under 13: The Autumn leagues again proved very successful. Balyna will certainly agree. Winning the Under 13 Division 2 would have been considered a success. Going on to defeat both the Division 1 finalists in the Fiele Blitz was special and now they are the Kildare representatives for All Ireland Field 2005 in Limerick. A fitting reward for many years of graft by Mary McEvoy even if she had handed over the management of the team this year.

Sarsfields and Naas battled out the Division 1 final with the “Sash” just about getting the verdict having looked well out of it in the first half.

Ballykelly were the unlucky team who had to face Balyna in that Under 13 Division 2 final.

The Division 3 final was a battle of new sides, Na Fianna and Kilcullen. The word had been out on this Na Fianna panel since Mick Delaney marked them out as a promising side during the summer camps. Kilcullen did well to reach the final and can be proud of this achievement.

Under 11: Division 1 saw Confey return to winning ways with victory over Sarsfields.

In Division 2, Carbury had another victory over Moorefield to top an excellent year for the club.

Under 15: I have been told that I missed one of, if not the game of the year in the Division 1 final. The Central Council meeting that night in Tullamore did not match excitement. When a team gets a goal to come from a point or was it two down in the last minute, they normally win and Leixlip looked to have done it, but Confey went straight up the other end and replied in kind. That alone, apart ever from their excellent form all through the game and the League, left all in agreement that this win was very well merited.

Division 2 saw Maynooth continue to make strides in under age competitions. Great credit is due to two of our All-Ireland winning squads, Anto Mooney and Simone Gilabert who have been doing a lost of work with the club’s younger teams. Its not easy playing and training with club and county, but taking on leading roles with club under-age as well is a Trojan effort. Clane were the unlucky runners-up here as well.

Division 3, the final was a local affair with Milltown and Moorefield involved. Milltown got the verdict to complete a very successful year.

Senior Leagues

Grangenovlan again retained the Division 1 title but again the final was a close run thing. Leixlip gave them a close run in the semi-final despite being very under-strength and in the final, surprise packets Eadestown, who had to go to extra time to get the better of Athgarvan in their semi-final, went into early lead and a shock looked on the cards with the challengers four points up with only a few minutes left. The Leahys and Sharon Conway had other ideas. Sharon got the goal to bring her team back into contention after marvellous play by Kane and Brianne and “Connie” sneaked the winning point as well.

There was plenty of excitement in Division 2. Suncroft looked the form team but Prosperous again proved their downfall, this time in a semi-final, in Suncroft. Ballykelly v Rathangan in the other semi saw many former team-mates squaring up with Ballykelly proving much the better. In the final Ballykelly were inspired in the first half and 14 year old Sinead Melia had a dream half hour with 9 points, 8 from open play, in that magic first half. While the second half was a little flat, Ballykelly were never in danger and Division 1 football was safely secured.

In Division 3 it was “new kids on the block” as Castlemitchell led the league but lost out to Balyna in an epic semi-final while Naas stormed into the final with Lisa Higgins and Sarah Callinan leading the charge against Moorefield. The final was a real cracker as Clodagh Flanagan playing a stormer, put Balyna ahead but Sarah Callinan and Lisa Higgins were on fire. Early in the second half, Naas, with Lisa and Sarah scoring goals went well ahead. Clodagh and Carol Bergin were not giving up easy and put it to Naas. The county town girls eventually got on top and proved deserving winners. For two clubs in their first year in the senior league, it was a great year and for Naas it was brilliant.

The one experiment in Divisions 1 and 2 to split the league into two competitions, the A for full squads and the B for club only players, looked a good idea at the start, but did clubs lose interest in the B? Will we have to reconsider? Division 3 with its more straightforward arrangement seemed to work better. The age-old difficulty of county players not being always available for club games has still to be solved. Yes playing for the club is important. Equally we have to be careful not to expect too much from the county player.

What are the best options that still remain to be found. In Kildare GAA a lot of the senior leagues are played without county players. As we are still a young organisation, we cannot yet go along with that policy, especially with one club, Grangenovlan supplying such a big proportion of our county panel. In senior in 2005, we will expect a lot from our senior county players. We need to think carefully.

Bord Na nOg: the setting of this body was one of the most positive aspects of the year. That it was left as a sole job for Willie Sargent was a shame.

Eimhin Ni Chonchuir did help with the fixtures secretary role without the titles as she did for the most competitions.

Willie stepping down is a pity after all his work as Development Officer, Bord Na nOg Chair, and County Under 14 Manager.

It is up to the clubs to get members to fill all Bord Na nOg positions in January.

Conclusion

This was a grat year. Yes we had problems and disagreements. I suppose there will always be difference over policies, fixtures or date, but if we can all work with one aim, to facilitate the players then won’t it all be worthwhile.

This year the Suzuki National title, the TG4 All-Ireland wines, Division 1 league status and senior championship status, for 2005 were dreams come through for many. I know how good it feels for me and I have only a few years involvement. It must be something else for the supporters, mentors and players who have worked so hard for so long. Am I glad you got your richly deserved reward.

There are many people to thank and no doubt I will forget someone, so please forgive me. The clubs who so generously gave us the use of their grounds for matches and training. Kill and Joe Corrigan were brilliant to the Under 14s and to the Juniors. Carbury for the Under 12s, Allenwood for Under 16 and Minor and Kill, Grangenovlan, Castlemitchell, Ballykelly, Sarsfields and Allenwood for the juniors. The county GAA gave us Hawkfield on every possible and a few impossible occasions. To all of you we are very thankful and we appreciate the use of St Conleth’s Park for county games and county semi-finals and finals. Every club in the county deserves credit for their participation. Now the challenge is to improve, both your club and the county. A senior county now so Kildare, have another level to reach. Can we do it? Opporunity knocks.

To all those people who took on the job of managing, training, coaching and selecting county teams and those who backed them every inch of the way, thanks a million. We appreciate the top class coverage from the local newspapers and radio. The coverage is very important in our development and I would be hopeful that we can continue improving in that area especially on KFM. We hit the jackpot with the formation of the Fund Raising Committee, now the Supporters Club, under the leadership of Hugh Noone, Mick Hannafin and Maria Clancy and the last named pair also came onto the County Board to great effect. Geraldine Sweeney is another welcome addition to the team with a very important role.

Thanks to all my fellow county officers for the Trojan work and to Eimhin who did a mountain of work in the background. It was the most intense year so far. I want to say special thanks to County Chairperson Seamus McCabe who gave the county great leadership this year as well as setting an example for all of us.

Ballymore Eustace is our latest new Club and St Laurences are back after a long absence. You are both welcome. Now that we are nicely over the thirty mark, we could start thinking of having ladies football in every club in the county as a realistic ambition. A real job of work for the County Development Officer over maybe five years.

I have left for last the important people. We officials are mere facilitators. The people who count are the players, all of them. Well done to each and every one of them, those who played for their clubs, for the county at every level and to the 33 who won the All-Ireland for Kildare, the first All-Ireland Ladies Football Championship for Kildare and the first football All-Ireland for the County since 1965. Congratulations to each and every one of you.

County Roll of Honour 2004

Leinster Junior Champions Kildare

National League Division 2 Winners Kildare

All-Ireland Junior Champions Kildare

County Championships

Senior Winners Grangenovlan

Intermediate winners Sarsfields

Intermediate runners up Athgarvan

Junior A winners Leixlip

Junior A runners up Maynooth

Junior B winners Suncroft

Junior B runners up Prosperous

Junior C winners Castlemitchell

Junior C runners up Naas

League Division 1 winners Grangenovlan

League Division 1 runners up Eadestown

League Division 2 winners Ballykelly

League Division 2 runners up Prosperous

League Division 3 winners Naas

League Division 3 runners up Balyna

Under 12 Championship winners Sarsfields

Under 12 Championship runners up Confey

Under 12 Shield winners Carbury

Under 12 Shield winners runners up Moorefield

Under 12 C winners Milltown

Under 12 C runners up Ballykelly

Under 14 Championship winners Leixlip

Under 14 Championship runners up Confey

Under 14 Shield winners Milltown

Under 14 Shield runners up Eadestown

Under 16 Championshp winners Leixlip

Under 16 Championship runners up Maynooth

Under 16 Shield winners Ballykelly

Under 16 Shield runners up Eadestown

Minor championship winners Leixlip

Minor Championship runners up Nas/Baile Eide

Minor Shield winners Sarsfields

Minor Shield runners up Ballykelly

Minor C Championship winners Moorefield/Athgarvan

Minor C Championship runners up Suncroft

County Leagues

Under 11 League Division 1 winners Sarsfields

Under 11 League Division 1 runners up Confey

Under 11 League Division 2 winners Carbury

Under 11 League Division 2 runners up Moorefield

Under 13 League Division 1 winners Sarsfields

Under 13 League Division 1 runners up Naas

Under 13 League Division 2 winners Balyna

Under 13 League Division 2 runners up Ballykelly

Under 13 League Division 3 winners Na Fiann

Under 13 League Division 3 runners up Kilcullen

Un der 15 League Division 1 winners Confey

Under 15 League Division 1 runners up Leixlip

Under 15 League Division 2 winners Maynooth

Under 15 League Division 2 runners up Eadestown

Under 15 League Division 3 winners Milltown

Under 15 League Division 3 runners up Moorefield

The Kildare Panel of Players who won the All-Ireland

Player Schools Attended Club

Primary Secondary

Brianne Leahy (capt) Ballyroe St Leo’s Colege, Carlow Grangenovlan

Ann Hughes Kildangan St Pauls Sec. Monasterevan Grangenovlan

Kate Leahy Ballyroe St Leo’s Colege, Carlow Grangenovlan

Julie Cunningham Rathangan Rathangan Post Primary Grangenovlan

Sharon Conway Scoil Bhride, Nurney Cross & Passion Kilcullen Grangenovlan

Naomi Tracey Kilmeade Scoile Mhire, Athy Grangenovlan

Nicola Cunngingham Rathangan Rathangan Post Primary Grangenovlan

Yvonne Murphy Kilkea Colaiste Lorcain, Castledermot Grangenovlan

Donna Berry St Michaels Scoile Mhire, Athy Grangenovlan

Aileen Duffy Doohamlet Our Lady’s Sec. Castleblayney Grangenovlan

Clodagh Flanagan Johnstownbridge St Marys Edenderry Balyna

Aisling Lambe Athgarvan Holy Family Sec, Newbridge Athgarvan

Tracy Noone Athgarvan Holy Family Sec, Newbridge Athgarvan

Aisling Holton Kilshanroe St Marys Edenderry Carbury

Catriona Dolan St Conleth’s Derrintum St Marys Edenderry Carbury

Grainne Heducan Scoil San Carlo Confey Community College Confey

Emma McCartney Scoil San Carlo Confey Community College Confey

Leah Purcell Kill St Marys Convent, Naas Eadestown

Susan Brosnan Kill St Marys Convent, Naas Eadestown

Aoife Herbert St Marys, Naas St Marys Convent, Naas Eadestown

Aisling Savage Scoil Eoin Phol, Leixlip Colaiste Chiaran, Leixlip Leixlip

Maria Moolick Scoil Mhuire, Leixlip St Wolstons CS, Celbridge Leixlip

Simone Gilabert Firhouse Firhouse Community School Maynooth

Antionette Mooney Presentation, Maynooth Maynooth Post Primary Maynooth

Stacey Cannon Allenwood Girls St Farnan, Prosperous Na Fianna

Louise Conlon Scoil An Linbh Losa,Prosperous Scoil Mhuire, Clane Prosperous

Ciara Malone Scoil Bhride, Clane Scoil Mhuire Community,Clane Prosperous

Jackie Kelly Scoil Bhride Naofa Presentation Kildare Round Towers

Noelle Early St Conleth & St Marys Holy Family Sec, Newbridge Sarfields

Edel O’Brien Scoil Mhuire, Newbridge Holy Family Sec, Newbridge Sarfields

Melissa O’Brien St Conleth’s Newbridge Cross & Passion Kilcullen Sarfields

Jackie O’Brien Scoil Mhuire, Newbridge Holy Family Sec, Newbridge Sarfields

Elaine Dillon Ballyshannon Cross & Passion Kilcullen Suncroft

Mentors:

Manager Nuala O’Mahony

Coach/Selector Sean O’Toole

Trainer/Selector Martin Dunne

Selector Brian Byrne

Physio John Nolan

Clubs by year 2004 inserted here

Annual Awards 2004

Player of the Year: Julie Cunningham Grangenovlan

Club of the Year: Sarsfields

Minor Player of the Year: Elaine Dillon Suncroft

Under 16 Player of the Year: Carol Bergin Balyna

Under 14 Player of the Year: Ciara Hogan Confey

Division 1 Club of the Year: Leixlip

Division 1 Player of the Year: Emma Hannon Sarsfields

Division 2 Club of the Year: Suncroft

Division 2 Player of the Year: Elaine Dillon Suncroft

Division 3 Club of the Year: Castlemitchell

Division 3 Player of the Year: Clodagh Flanagan Balyna

The awards were presented by County Chairperson, Seamus McCabe at the Annual Awards Dinner in the Standhouse Hotel on Thursday 2nd December.

The County Under 14 and minor teams were presented with their Leinster Championship runners-up medals by the President of Ladies Football Leinster Council Mary Wheatley who also presented mementos to the county Under 16 team who reached the semi final of the Leinster Championship. Mary who complemented Kildare on the achievements of the year also presented the Ladies County Team with their Leinster Junior Champions medals.

The big moment of the night was when Guest of Honour Uachtarain Cumann Peil Gael Na mBan Geraldine Giles presented the Suzuki National League and TG4 All Ireland Junior Championship medals to Captain Brianne Leahy and her team-mates amid great acclaim.

Two of the players were not able to attend. Louise Conlon is now on peace-keeping duties with the UN in Liberia while Grainne Heduan is still recovering in hospital from surgery on a shoulder injury which ruined her season.

All send best wishes to A/captain Conlon whose mother accepted her medals while her Confey club-mate Emma McCarthy accepted Grainne’s.

Brianne and vice-captain Julie Cunningham made prestentations to Mary and Geraldine and to the successful management, Nuala O’ Mahony, Sean O’Toole, Martin Dunne and Brian Byrne. Physio John Nolan was not present to accept his award due to family illness. We wish a full and speedy recovery to the youngster.

The minor captain, Under 16 captain, Sharon Melia and Under 14 captain Karen O’Shea also made presentations to minor mentors Janice O’Brien, Paul Drumm and Nuala O’Mahony, Under 16 mentors Michael McKiernan, Collette Callinan, Antoinette Mooney and Geraldine McKiernan, and Under 14 mentors Willie Sargent, Bernadette Walsh, Mary McEvoy and Leo Foy.

A historic year

Without any doubt whatever, this year has been a brilliant success for Kildare Ladies Gaelic Football.

To win promotion to Division 1 of the Suzuki National eague by beating Donegal in the Division 2 semi final was a magic moment. The backdrop to that day, the All Ireland loss to the same opponents in 2003, the deaths in the two preceding weeks of great supporter Tony Mooney and of team manager Sean “Goggy” Delaney. The Kildare team emerging from the dressing rooms walking in single file, Brianne leading and every player behind with a hand firmly on the should in front, a solid white line united in memory and in the common cause Goggy had preached.

They were a team on fire. Nothing was being allowed to deflect from that cause. Donegal tried very hard but Kildare had the motivation. What a display of unity of purpose and pure football. The team players, management, Nuala Peter and Janice, he must have been proud of that.

The league final against Louth was another special day and a marvellous win. It was a different day. That massive emotion we had for the semi final was absent. The pressure was off until the game started. Then it got very very serious.

A not so good first half was followed by a brilliant second and while Louth made it close in the end, another victory over senior opposition was deservedly won. The win was great, Swifts were good too.

Having lost the first league game at the end of 2003, it was quite an achievement to put together wins over Leitrim and Donegal with an easy win over Galway B and then an amazing quarter final win over Clare. Some of us had memories of a pasting not many years earlier in Milltown Malbay.

The priority of promotion had been set down in January and the chance came to make a mark on Sunday 18th April in Londford. As the solid white line emerged from the dessing rooms in Pearse Park, we all knew something special was afoot. That Donegal were the opposition was incidental. The February game in Carrick-on-Shannon had cleansed the All Ireland loss and now only that coveted place in Division 1 mattered. On the day Kildare were the superior team. Our first national senior title secured and now there was another serious job work on hand.

The Leinster Championship was a stepping stone. Offaly, Longford Juniors and Meath Junior were comfortably beaten and Westmeath did not field.

Dublin Juniors in the semi final were expected to put up stiff opposition but that apparently did not materialise. The major development from that day was the emergence of a “support” group, which later played a huge role. Nuala’s accident and serious injuries were a worry.

In the Leinster final, Wexford proved doughty opposition. Nuala on the crutches was driving everyone on. The Kildare team were in no mood to give up the Leinster title and came through to record a record 5th title in a row. That Brianne Leahy captained all five winning teams is a great credit to the Grangenovlan lady.

Next up was Sunday 12th September and the TG4 All Ireland Junior semi final in St Lomans, Mullingar, Armagh the opposition. With the wind in the first half we did not score enough and losing two to the sin-bin on the cusp of half time would have sunk many a team. That Kildare actually outscored Armagh into the gale during those 8 minutes, it was 13 v 15 showed the spirit. There was no doubt after that.

Last year I wrote “we now need to respond, both the County Board and the Team, not be drawn into petty squabbles with opponents and make one almighty effort to win the All Ireland in 2004”.

Now the opportunity was at hand. With Sean O’Toole, Martin Dunne and John Nolan now on board with Nuala, preparation were thorough. Every avenue explored, every eventuality covered. Hawkfield almost became home. I never knew what Brian Byrne’s role actually was. He was always there, working.

The back up from Marie Clancy, Marian Dolan and Maura Holton was great. Food, real food after training. Martin always had something new planned. Nuala was recovering fast.

The fund raising committee came good with the Nite at the Greyhounds. The team management, players and county officers did not have to worry about money. Whatever was needed was available. Things done right for the team.

The visit to Croke Park a few days before the day, settled nerves. Na Fianna in Dublin made their pitch available on the morning. Near enough but totally private. Thanks to a gracious club.

The All Ireland for me was a bit of a blur. Kildare were well in command. At half time a nice lead stretched then Sligo hit a purple patch. Some would say a lucky patch. Kildare’s character was being seriously examined. The examination was passed with honours. Players, every player took a grip and the good lead was restored. Now it was counting down the last few minutes. I have one great memory. The players on the sideline, lined up and ready to charge, and charge this did. Adrian Melia’s photograph captured the moment perfectly. Brianne captured the moment with her words “The West County Cup was going to the Short Grass County”.

Citywest that night was some celebration and the reception in Newbridge was class. Thanks to the Newbridge Twon Council. Paddy Kennedy deserves a special mention.

There are many people to remember and thanks. From Mick Fitzpatrick, the first county manager in 1992, Mick Delaney, Gerry Latham, Paul Murphy, Frank Delaney, who in four years were unbeaten in Leinster, Bremdam Downey, Paddy Lawlor, |Paddy McCartney, Mick Feeney and Johnny Leahy, all played a part. There are many more who were selectors and coaches.

The mentors who brought the players through Under-age in club and county.

A special word for one player. Last January in the first game of the year, Grainne Heduan suffered a serious injury. Despite all her efforts she did not manage a competitive game all year. As I pen these words she is still in hospital recovering from surgery on the contrary shoulder. Howe she would have loved to play in the final, after five years hard graft. Do get well soon Gra.

The next year will bring a new challenge for the team and County Board. It will take an even mightier effort to survive senior. All of us must support the effort.

Minor:

The County minors, under the guidance of Janice O’Brien, Paul Drumm and Nuala O’Mahony, had massive wins over Meath and Dublin to qualify for the Leinster final. The Meath games as Goggy lay ill in hospital was as emotional as it gets. The senior team shoed their class with a massive show of support.

In the final everything went wrong. The early injury that reduced Ashling Holton to a limping corner forward was a cruel blow and Laois just could not stop scoring goals even with Catriona Dolan starring in goals. Reaching the Leinster Minor final for the first time was only meant to be one step. Getting thee proved it can be done. It is vital that we build the minor grade. Others have profited in a very big way by doing that. Most of the squad are there for 2005, so as they say, “Lets get out there”.

Under 16:

Michael mcKiernan had Collette Callinan and later Anto Mooney with him in charge this year. Geraldine McKiernan was never far from the action either. Despite excellent preparation and a few big wins, the semi final spot was just missed in a play-off. There was no lack of effort or commitment and many of the team are there for next year. With a strong group due up from Under 14 next year, the team has great promise and Anto has taken on the managerial role. Having played county junior from age 14, she know what is needed and we wish her well. Michael and Geraldine McKiernan have made a massive contribution to the county over the last few years, three I think, winning our first Leinster Under-Age title was so important and they, with Nuala O’Mahony, did that job. While they have now stepped aside, I hope it won’t be for long. Well Geraldine is already involved in the Supporters Club and the hope is that we will see plenty more from Geraldine and Michael.

Under 14:

Willie Sargent continued in charge and brought in Bernadette Walsh and Leo Foy, while Mary McEvoy also continued and they had a great year. That Dublin had a truly exceptional team was the only problem. Big wins over all except Dublin who were a goal to the good in a thriller in Portmarnock saw Kildare safely into the semi final. Westmeath were a different proposition in the semi from the side ho meekly accepted a hammering in Carbury a few weeks earlier. After a huge scare and a massive effort the girls pulled it off and qualified for the final.

There it did not happen. Dublin were too good and went on to win the All Ireland. To reach yet another final was a great achievement for all involved. Having to start on the day without Ciara Hogan upset the balance and the early injury to Karen O’Shea was another big blow. With Willie and Leo on holidays, Bernadette took charge for the Blitzes. Robbie helped with the Kildare team in Leinster as Martin Sweeney and Michael Hanlon from Milltown helped by taking the Cill Dara team in Carlow and got to the final. For the All Ireland in Mullingar, Mary McEvoy was back to help Bernie. Well done and thanks. Willie and Co, we need to see plenty more of you all.

Brigid Murphy, Janet O’Malley, Angeline and Ann O’Shea took on the onerous task of fielding two teams at the June Leinster Blitz. Catriona Dolan and Andrea Brereton were roped in as well. Ann, with Aoife Trant looked after the Kildare squad, who performed very well.

Bridig, Janet, Angeline and Marian Dolan concentrated on the Cill Dara team, ensuring every girl got a game. They continued training sessions and the numbers grew so, that for the September Blitz, another team, the Lily Whites were added. Peter Kelly and Kelly were by now also recruited. Brigid Murphy seems to attract players and mentors in large numbers. It is not a bad trait!! She also held a Presentation Night for her players in Carbury, social outings as well as football for more than 60 children. Well done Brigid and now she’s the County Under 14 Manager.

2005 Preparations

The County Under 14 and Under 16 teams preparations for 2005 are well underway with Anto and Brigid already making their mark and Janice plans pre-Christmas work for the minors as well. This is a new development in the county. Others have been doing it and making it count so Kildare needed to catch up.

Under 12

Sarsfields got the reward for a well organised , proved to be the very best, and deservedly won the “A” Championship with Clane surprising but equally worthy winners of the Shield while Balyna won the “C” with an exciting final win over Milltown.

Under 14

Leixlip powered their way to this title and a place in Feile in Galway. The Shield was won by Sarsfields and Maynooth collected the “C” title.

Under 16

Leixlip regained the title overcoming surprise finalists Maynooth who had just arrived in the “A”, got back on winning ways in the Juvenile Championship overcoming Naas in the final and will have enjoyed taking the title from holders and neighbours Leixlip while the Shild also went to Sarsfields.

The “C” title has yet to be decided as a result of extra time not being played as per rule in a semi final. The timing was probably a factor.

Minor:

Leixlip and Nas/Baile Eide NasBaileEide, the “B” winners from 2003 are in the final.

The Shield is between Ballykelly and Sarsfields while Moorefiled/Athgarvan and Suncroft contest the first Minor C.

Junior B

This championship was much delayed due to a series of unfortunate events initially and then by the County’s qualification for the All Ireland. The final is scheduled for Saturday 14th December with Na Fianna v Kilcock the final pairing. There are lessons for the new year for us all. A ground of our would would solve a lot of difficulties.

Junior A

Leixlip put their disappointment of losing the 2003 final behind them with a great win in this years decider.

Intermediate:

Sarsfields stepped up from junior in style. The county title was won in a smashing contest with Athgarvan. Then the Leinster odyssey. Well they had been the challenge by Athgarvan’s great Leinster run in 2003. Reaching the Leinster final at the first attempt was great and they they gave us heart attacks. A distastrous start was followed by a wonderful come back and then they gave us another couple of score before just making it. The Leinster title regained for Kildare. Tyholland in the All Ireland series was a bridge too far this time but the “Sash” will be serious seniors next year.

Senior

The biggest disappointment this year was Confey’s failure to field in the Senior Championship. Having blazed the trail just a couple of years back there is a big job of work to recover the prominent position so recently held. Grangenovlan found themselves straight into the Leinster Senior without a game and it told against the Meath champions who were that little bit sharper.

The Autumn leagues again proved very successful. Balyna will certainly agree. Winning the Under 13 Division 2 would have been considered a success. Going on to defeat both the Division 1 finalists in the Feile Blitz was special and now they are the Kildare representatives for All Ireland Feile 2005 in Limerick. A fitting reward for many years of graft by Mary McEvoy even if she had handed over the management of the team this year.

Victory for Confey over Sarsfields in Under 15 Division 1 and for Maynooth over Eadestown in the Under 15 Shield, but it is disappointing that the plans for Under 13 and Under 11 have gone badly awry despite the efforts of Fixtures Secretary, Eimhin Ni Chonchuir and Development Officer, Willie Sargent. The lessons for 2004 include strict competition rules and a prompt start.

Grangenovlan again retained the Division 1 title but again the final was a close run thing. Leixlip gave them a close run in the semi final despite being under-strength and in the final, surprise packets Eadestown, who had to go to extra time to get the better of Athgarvan in their semi-final, went into an early lead and a shock looked on the cards with the challengers four points up with only a few minutes left. The Leahy’s and Sharon Conway had other ideas. Sharon got the goal to bring her team back into contention after marvellous play by Kane and Brianne and “Connie” sneaked the winning point as well.

There was plenty of excitement in Division 2. Suncroft looked the form team but Prosperous again proved their downfall, this time in a semi final in Suncroft. Ballykelly v Rathangan in the other semi saw many former team mates squaring up with Ballykelly proving much the better. In the final Ballykelly were inspired in the first half and 14 year old Sinead Melia had a dream half hour with 9 points, 8 from open play, in that magic first half. While the second half was a little flat, Ballykelly were never in danger and Division 1 football was safely secured.

In Division 3, it was “new kids on the block” as Castlemitchell led the league but lost out to Balyna in an epic semi final while Naas stormed into the final with Lisa Higgins and Sarah Callinan leading the charge against Moorefield. The final was a real cracker as Clodagh Flanagan, playing a stormer, put Balyna ahead but Sarah Callinan and Lisa Higgins were on fire. Early in the second half Naas, with Lisa and Sarah scoring goals went well ahead. Clodagh and Carol Bergin were not giving up easy and put it to Naas. The county town girls eventually got on top and proved deserving winners. For two clubs in their first year in the senior league it was a great year and for Naas it was brilliant.

The one experiment in Divisions 1 and 2 to split the league into two competitions, the A for full squads and the B for club only players looked a good idea at the start, but did clubs lose interest in the B? Will we have to reconsider? Division 3 with its more straightforward arrangement seemed to work better. The age-old difficulty of county players not being always available for club games has still to be solved. Yes playing for the club is important. Equally we have to be careful not to expect too much from the county player.

Conclusion:

This was a great year. Yes we had problems and disagreements. I suppose there will always be differences over policies, fixtures or dates but if we can all work with one aim, to facilitate the players then won’t it all be worthwhile.

This year the Suzuki National title, the TG4 All Ireland wins, Division 1 league status and senior championship status, for 2005 were dreams come through for many.

I know how good it feels for me and I have only a few years involvement. It must be something else for the supporters, mentors and players who have worked so hard for so long. Am I glad you got your richly deserved reward.

There are many people to thank and no doubt I will forget someone so please forgive me. The clubs who so generously gave us the use of their grounds for matches and training. Kill and Joe Corrigan were brilliant to the Under 14s and to the Junior. Carbury for the Under 12s, Allenwood for Under 16 and Minor, and Kill, Grangenovlan, Castlemitchell, Ballykelly, Sarsfields and Allenwood for the Juniors. The County GAA gave us Hawkfield on every possible and a few impossible occasions. To all of you we are very thankful and we appreciate the use of St Conleth’s Park for county games and county semi-finals. Every club in the county deserves credit for their participation. Now the challenge is to improve both your club and the county. A senior county now so Kildare have another level to reach. Can we do it? Opportunity Knocks!

To all those people who took on the job of managing, training, coaching and selecting county teams and those who back them every inch of the way, thanks a million. We appreciate the top class coverage from the local newspapers and radio. The coverage is very important in our development and I would be hopeful that we can continue improving in that area especially on KFM. We hit the jackpot with the formation of the Fund Raising Committee, now the Supporters Club, under the leadership of Hugh Noone, Mick Hannafin and Maria Clancy and the last named pair also came onto the County Board to great effect. Geraldine Sweeney is another welcome addition to the team with a very important role.

Thanks to all my fellow county officers for their Trojan work. It was the most intense year so far. I want to say special thanks to County Chairperson, Seamus McCabe, who gave the county great leadership this year.

Ballymore Eustace are our latest new club and St Laurences are back after a long absence. You are both welcome. Now that we are nicely over the thirty mark, we could start thinking of having ladies football in every club in the county as a realistic ambition. A real job of work for the County Development Officer over maybe five years.

I have left for last the most important people. We officials are mere facilitators. The people who count are the players, all of them. Well done to each and every one of them, those who played for their clubs, for the county at every level and to the 33 who won the All Ireland for Kildare, the first All Ireland ladies football championship fort Kildare and the first football All Ireland for the county since 1965, congratulations to each and ever one of you.

The Roll of Championship/League Winners

Senior Championship Intermediate Championship

Year Club Year Club

2003 Grangenovlan

2004 Grangenovlan 2004 Sarsfields

Junior Junior Shield/Division

Championship Junior B Championship Junior C Championship

Division 1 The Kate McGee Shield

1992 Kilcock A subsidiary competition started in 1995. It was originally

1993 Eadestown called the “Junior Shield” and is now referred to as the

1994 Eadestown Junior Division 2 or Junior B Championship

1995 Eadestown 1995 Kilcock

1996 Eadestown 1996 Carbury

1997 Maynooth 1997 Confey

1998 Confey 1998 Rathangan

1999 Confey 1999 Sarsfields

2000 Grangenovlan 2000 Leixlip

2001 Grangenovlan 2001 Prosperous

2002 Athgarvan 2002 Eadestown

2003 Sarsfields 2003 Na Fianna

2004 Leixlip 2004 Suncroft Castlemitchell

Junior League Winners

Junior League Junior Shield

Year Club Year Club

1995 Eadestown 1998 Athgarvan

1996 Maynooth

1997 Confey Junior League Division 2

1998 Rathangan

1999 Confey 1999 Sarsfields

2000 Confey 2000 Leixlip

2001 Grangenovlan 2001 Carbury

2002 Grangenovlan 2002 Eadestown

Senior League Winners

Year Division 2 Division 2 Division 3

2003 Grangenovlan Prosperous Kilcock

2004 Granvenovlan Ballykelly Naas

Minor Championships

Year Division 1 The Shield Division 2 C Championship

1995 ???????

1999 Naomh Brid

2000 Confey NasBaileEide

2001 Confey Carbury

2002 Confey

2003 Leixlip NasBaileEide

2004 Leixlip Sarsfields Moorefield/Athgarvan

Under 16 Championsips Under 16 County Feile

Under 16 Under 16 Shield League Division 2 Representative

1993 Leixlip

1994 Leixlip 1994 Leixlip

1995 Leixlip 1995 Leixlip

1997 Confey 1996 Leixlip

1998 Confey 1997 Leixlip

1999 Confey 1998

2000 Confey Na Fianna Raheen 1999 Confey

2001 Leixlip 2000 Confey

2002 Leixlip Naas 2001 Carbury

2003 Confey Maynooth 2002 Leixlip

2004 Leixlip Ballykelly 2004 Leixlip

Under 14 Championship

Division 1

Michael & pat Delaney Cup The Paul Kelly Cup

1993 Leixlip Division 2 C Championship

1994 Leixlip 1994 Leixlip

1995 Leixlip 1995 Sarsfields

1996 Leixlip 1996 Athgarvan

1997 Sarsfields 1997 Eadestown

1998 Confey 1998 Naas

1999 Confey

2000 Leixlip 2000 Na Fianna

2001 Carbury

2002 Leixlip 2002 Eadestown

2003 Leixlip 2003 Sarsfields Maynooth

2004 Leixlip 2004 Milltown

Autumn Leagues

Under 14 League Under 12 League

Division 1 Division 2 Division 1 Division 2

2001 Leixlip Balyna Leixlip Clane

2002 Confey Ballykelly Leixlip Naas

Under 15 Under 13 Under 11

Div 1 Div 2 Div 3 Div 1 Div 2 Div 3 Div 1 Div 2

(Feile 04)

2003 Confey Maynooth Leixlip Ballykelly Naas Eadestown

2004 Confey Maynooth Milltown Sarsfields Balyna Na Fianna Confey Carbury

Under 12 Championship

A Under 12 Shield B C Championship

The Brian Thomas Cup

1997 Confey

1998 Clogherinkoe 1998 Naas ??

1999 Carbury

2000 Confey 2000 Carbury

2001 Balyna

2002 Leixlip 2002 Eadestown 2002 Naas

2003 Carbury 2003 Clane 2003 Balyna

2004 Sarsfields 2004 Carbury 2004 Miltown

Post Primary Schools Championship

Senior Junior

Intel Cup

1994 Maynooth 1994 Colaiste Ciaran Leixlip

1995 Colaiste Ciaran, Leixlip 1995 Colaiste Ciarn, Leixlip

Post Primary Schools League

Senior Junior

1995 Maynooth 1995 Colaiste Chiarain

1996 Colaiste Chiarain 1996 Colaiste Chiarain

1997 Colaiste Chiarain 1997 Colaiste Chiarain

Junior 7 a side

1996 Liexlip

1997 Maynooth

Ladies football in Sarsfields

Until the mid nineties it was common at Sarsfields for a small number of girls to play football on boys teams up to Under 14 level. The impetus for girls participation in football games came from the national schools with the organisation of inter-schools competitions for girls teams. In the mid nineties a particularly talented team developed in the Patricians and did very well at schools level. Those girls wanted more football and in 1995, Sarsfields entered a team in the Kildare Under 14 B Championship.

Despite a break in 1996 when no teams were entered the foundation had been laid for the development of girls underage football at the club. In 1997, an Under 14 team was entered in the Under 14 A championship and emerged as winners with Seamus McCabe and Maureen O’Callaghan at the helm. This was a tremendous breakthrough for the club. Success breeds success and sure enough in 1998, that team reached Under 16 Division 1 finals.

In 1999 the ladies senior team was formed and competed successfully in Division 2 winning both the league by defeating Leixlip and championship with victory over Na Fianna. Again Seamus and Maureen managed these teams. Since then the ladies have competed in Division 1 of the league.

That year also saw the establishment of a separate ladies section committee to organise football for all age groups. That committee has played a constructive role within the club in terms of the development of ladies football and the active involvement of new people in general club activities.

Paddy O’Brien then stepped into the position of manager and was responsible for consolidating the progress made in previous years.

In 2001, the ladies reached the Junior Championship final (at that time the highest grade in the county) managed by Ray O’Sullivan assisted by Pauline Murray and lost narrowly to Grange team that went all the way to the All Ireland final.

In 2002 Tom O’Hanlon took over as manager and maintained Division 1 status. The ladies team has continued to go from strength to strength in 2003, managed by Paddy Tierney and Tom O’Hanlon, with victory in the Junior Championship over Leixlip, followed by a narrow defeat by Skyrne in the Leinster semi final.

2004 was a superb year for the ladies team managed by Christy Horan with assistance from Jim Dempsey, Noel Dinneen, Mick Hanafin and John Courtney. A magnificent victory over local rivals Athgarvan in the intermediate final was followed by victories over Fingallians and Bray Emmets in the Leinster club championship. Both games were played in Sarsfields and really brought the ladies into the forefront of club activity.

Success in the Leinster club championship versus St Forcherans followed on what was a historic day for the “Sash” in Cretyard. The ladies became the first team from Sarsfields to win a Leinster title. The great run came to an end against Tyholland of Monaghan in the All Ireland quarter final.

This year we play Grange in the senior championship final. Preparations have already begun.

A very important development has been the establishment of a second ladies team in 2005 which has been entered in Division 3 of the league and in the Junior C Championship with Noel Dinneny, Mick Hanafin and Maureen O’Callaghan guiding their fortunes. The need for this team is a tribute to the success of ladies football at Sarsfield and was essential to cater for the large number of underage players coming through and the desire of players not on the first team to continue playing football.

Underage girls football, the stimulus for the setting up of the ladies team, has continued to prosper in Sarsfields. The Saturday morning training sessions have been a regular feature since 1997, and is the cornerstone of the past, and hopefully future success of girls and ladies teams at the club. At the outset there were half a dozen players at the club this year, we expect to register over 120. Participation rates at this level are a measure of the success of ladies football at Sarsfields. At present, Jim Dempsey is responsible for the continuing success of Saturday morning training and the flow of very talented players into the Under 11 ranks of the club.

Success at underage level has also been achieved. The backbone of our minor and senior teams is made up of girls who reached the Under 12 final in 2001 under the guidance of Pauline Murray and Noel Denneny. In 2004, Sarsfields had a major breakthrough when the Under 12 team managed by Peter Kelly assisted by Sandra Kelly and Paul English won our first county title at that level.

The Sarsfields Under 11 team managed by Mick Hanafin, Pauline Murray and Michael McMarlow lost the county final narrowly and the Under 13 team won the Autumn league. In addition our minor team managed by Ann Nolan with Ray Sullivan as trainer won the Division 2 title.

The future look bright especially if the hard work of those involved in the development of ladies football can be sustained and new people come on board to make a fresh contribution.

Suncroft Ladies Football Club History – June 2005

The Suncroft Ladies Football Club was first introduced in 1975 and the ladies won the clubs first ever championship in that year. The team was managed by the late Ollie Brannock Snr and captained by his wife Rose Brannock who has remained a keen supporter of the current ladies panel.

It was not until 2001 that the ladies in Suncroft registered a team again and two years later they reached their first league final. This 2003 Division 2 League final against Prosperous was a close encounter and Suncroft were very unlucky to lose this match 2-16 to 2-14 by the last kick of the game during extra time.

2004 was a very successful year for Suncroft ladies. Overcoming Ballykelly (2004 League winners) in the championship semi final and Prosperous in the final, Suncroft were the 2004 Junior B Championship winners and also received the prestigious KLFC Division 2 “Club of t he year “ 2004 award. The 2004 league saw Suncroft beaten in the semi final while their first minor team were unlucky to lose to Sarsfield/Athgarvan in their championship final.

Suncroft’s Elaine Dillon has played with the county team since 2000 and while she continues to represent her club at county level, the highlight to date has been part of the winning 2004 All Ireland Championship team.

Also representing Suncroft at Under 14 county level for 2003 and 2004 was Chloe Foy and Paula Browne. Both players have now progressed to the county’s Under 16 team in 2005.

Suncroft Ladies Football Club Committee 2005:

Chair: Patrice Behan

Treasurer: Trisha Tobin

Secretary: Helen Sexton

PRO: Diane Behan

Captain: Caroline Sexton

Child Protection Officer: Liz Brown

Other Committee members: Orla Dillon, Gwen Deering

Kilcock Ladies Football Club

Established May 1 1991

A little piece of history was made in Kilcock in 1991 with the formation of ladies gaelic club in Kilcock. It all began when a few girls who had an interest in gaelic football got together with the secretary of Kilcock men’s GAA, Brendan Mucken to form a club. Twenty three girls turned up for the first training session on May 1st. Within a few weeks the number has increased to nearly forty and the girls held their first meeting on May 29th.

Officers elected were:

Chairperson: Rita Edwards

Secretary: Karen Gibbons

Treasurer/Registrar: Linda O’Connor

Committee: Pauline Mallon, Geraldine Ryan, James Mallon,

Brendan Macken, Michael McGinley

Paddy O’Connor volunteered to train the team with the help of James Mallon and Declan Cahalin.

As thee was no ladies football competitions in Kildare at the time the club were given permission to affiliate to Meath. Rita Edwards and Linda O’Connor were elected as County Board delegates. Kilcock was to late to enter the Meath Championship but entered the league.

In the league Kilcock beat Ballinabracky, Meath Hill, Castletown, Kilmainham Wood and drew with Kingscourt. Their only defeat was against St Ultans. Kilcock secured a place in the final against a very experienced St Ultans team. The final was played in Dunshaughlin on November 10th, 1991. The weather conditions were atrocious with gale force winds and heavy rain, nevertheless, both teams served up a thriller. Kilcock playing with the elements in the first half led by a goal at half time, 2-3 to 1-3. In the second half St Ultans made better use of the wind and eventually won by 3-5 to 2-5.

During the club’s first year they received sponsorship from local businessman Tony Lyons. Tony sponsored a set of jerseys for the team and gave the girls full support during 1991 and 1992.

In 1992 the new trainer for Kilcock was Brendan Dardis, Brendan being no stranger to ladies football having been involved since 1985. A Kildare County Board was formed with three clubs affiliating. A Championship was set up and run on a league basis. Kilcock had 25 girls registered at junior level that year and an under 14 team.

Kilcock and Eadestown reached the County final which was played on July 17th 1992 in Newbridge. It was a great game and the large crowd were treated to a very high standard of football. Kilcock led at half time 1-2 to 0-2. Eadestown came more into the game in the second half to draw level at full time 2-3 each. Extra time was played and Kilcock’s fitness and control eventually won them the Kildare Championship with the final score 3-5 to 2-3.

Kilcock made history by becoming the first senior champions in Kildare. Kilcock went on to represent Kildatre in the Leinster club championship and in the first round had a good win over the Carlow champions, Old Loughlin, but were knocked out at the semi final stage by Timahoe from Laois who later went on to win the competition.

In order to get more competitive football, Kilcock were granted permission to play in the Meath League for one more year. Because of their great run in 1991, Kilcock was promoted to senior and they did very well to reach the semi-finals which was played on week after their County Championship win. Unfortunately the girls were still recovering from the celebrations of the week before and just could not keep up the pace of a tough match which they lost gracefully.

Ten girls from Kilcock were selected for the Kildare County panel which was entered into the Championship. They were: Karen and Sinead Gibbons, Geraldine Ryan, Martina Duff, Eileen Collins, Philly Fagan, Irene O’Keeffe, Rita Edwards, Maureen Rochfort and Margaret Kelly. Kildare met Meath in the first round. Although losing to a very strong Meath team the girls gained great experience playing at that level.

Karen Gibbons was selected to play on the Leinster team, which beat Munster in the final of the Provincial Cup.

Brendan Dardis agreed to train and manage the team for another year and 1992 got off to a good start with 24 ladies registering. Expectations ran high as the girls set out to retain their county title. There were five clubs in the county championship in 1992 and Kilcock reached the semi-final against Carbury. Carbury were a relatively young team with great experience at school and community games level. Kilcock lacked scoring power although possessing 80% of play. The game went to extra time, which Kilcock lost by a point.

With the Kilcock team knocked out of the championship, the girls decided to set up a tournament. It was the first time the ladies organised such a competition. The tournament was sponsored by Peter Bourke, Kilcock. Six teams took part, three from Meath and three from Kildare.

The competition was run on a league basis, which saw arch rivals Kilcock and Eadestown reach the final. A repeat of the 1992 Championship final looked certain to take place as Kilcock looked the fitter of the two teams and had 70% of play. Again lack of scoring power on the Kilcock team and the more accurate forwards of Eadestown won them the title.

The Junior ladies team was sponsored for 1992 by Peter Bourke, local businessman. Peter generously donated a full set of jerseys and socks to the team and kindly sponsored the Tournament perpetual trophy. Brian Balfe sponsored the tournament medals which were presented to both teams after the final in “Peter’s Lounge”, Kilcock.

1994 got underway with the AGM on February 9th. Brendan Dardis as team manager and trainer stepped down and Phillip McManus was elected to take his place. Rita Edwards was elected Chairperson and Linda O’Connor as Secretary.

Both Linda and Rita are also represented at County Board level with Linda being elected as Treasurer/Registrar for the third year in a row and Rita was elected as County Board delegate to Leinster Council. Linda was also elected as Vice-Treasurer of Leinster Council at Leinster Congress in January.

For the next few years Kilcock struggled, they were a changing team and were demoted to Division 2. The team stuck together, managed by Martin Kelly and were regarded as a major threat by other Division 2 teams.

But 2000 was a bad year for Kilcock who came last in the league and they also lost their manager. The future looked bleak.

In 2001 things began to look up, under the new management of Shane Stone, they won eight league matches in a row. Kilcock were on top for the first time in years.

On the 8th December 2001 in St Kevin’s “Jack Casey Park”, Kilcock contested the Division 2 league final against Carbury. The match was a sheer thriller, with two early goals by Carbury, Kilcock gave themselves a lot of work. They fought back hard, Sonia Mulligan dominating around the Kilcock square. Half backs Linda Byrne and Bernie Durkan carrying the ball into attack for Grainne Gormley, while Sheena Byrne shone in midfield.

But sadly it wasn’t to be for Kilcock and the match ended Carbury 3-3 Kilcock 1-2.

There was hype around ladies football in Kilcock for 2002. They battled in the championship. Meeting Carbury in the first round, they were four points down with four minutes to go, but Kilcock wouldn’t lie down! And went on to score a goal and two points in four minutes, to win the match.

Next they met Na Fianna but were narrowly defeated. Unlike 2001, the league wasn’t such a success and sadly Kilcock said goodbye to their manager.

Due to a lost of changes in the side and the loss of some players, Kilcock dropped down to Division 3 for the 2003 season. But they wouldn’t stay there long.

Under the management of Eileen Collins, the girls got to the Division 3 league final, but had to wait over three months to play the final due to back matches from other teams.

They played Moorefield in the final on the 23rd November 2003, in Coneff Park Clane. They were winning all the way through the match, but a dominant period brought Moorefield back into contention. Then Irene Devine slammed two goals into the back of the Moorefield net to seal the title for Kilcock.

They dominated in midfield thanks to Sheena Byrne and captain Bernie Durkan and their solid defence of Sonia Mulligan and Sinead Gibbons weren’t going to let much through. It ended Kilcock 2-07 to Moorefield 2-03.

This wasn’t the only final for Kilcock that year. They also reached the Junior B championship final. After defeating Prosperous, a Division 2 team, in the semi final, they went on to play another Division 2 team, Na Fianna.

The final was held in Moorefield in December 2003. The girls battled through heavy rain and sleet. Kilcock led for 25 minutes of the first half, but Na Fianna fought back. The title could have gone either way and the chance to play senior championship was at stake.

Unfortunately Kilcock were defeated by two points with a scoreline of Na Fianna 2-8 to Kilcock 2-6.

Best for Kilcock was Grainne Gormley who scored two goals in her first full match back after breaking her match the previous year.

The girls didn’t win the double that year but they were back in Division 2.

On the 24th May 2004, history was made in Kilcock. Members of the ladies panel set up underage ladies football. This was their first training session and the response from the local girls was huge.

It was the first time that Kilcock had underage teams and an underage committee consisting of Grainne Gormley as Chairperson, Sheena Byrne as Secretary, Linda Byrne as Registrar, Fiona King as PRO, and Niamh Byrne as Treasurer.

Kilcock didn’t enter any underage leagues that year, instead the girls trained hard, even through harsh winter months and were ready to do battle for 6the 2005 season.

On the 26th February the Under 16 ladies played their first competitive match against a strong Robert Emmets side. The girls didn’t win but the experience and match practice proved invaluable because they went on to be Division 3 championship semi finalists, loosing out to a place in the final to Robert Emmets, who went on to win the championship. The Under 16 team is trained and managed by Linda Byrne, Grainne Gormley and Fiona King.

Kilcock’s Under 12 side entered the league and they have seven girls on the county Under 12 panel. Their first competitive match was played against Castledermot. The Under 12 team is trained and managed by Sheena and Niamh Byrne.

With gifted underage players like Shona and Orla Cagney, Emma Mallon and Grace White and senior greats like Sheena Byrne and Sharon Murphy, the future of ladies football can only get brighter in Kilcock.

The Roll of Championship/League Winners

Senior Championship Intermediate Championship

Year Club Year Club

2003 Grangenovlan

2004 Grangenovlan 2004 Sarsfields

Junior Shield/Division 2

Junior Championship Junior B Championship

Division 1 The Kate McGee Shield

1992 Kilcock A subsidiary competition started in 1995. It was originally

1993 Eadestown called the “Junior Shield” and is now referred to as the

1994 Eadestown Junior Division2 or Junior B Championship

1995 Eadestown 1995 Kilcock

1996 Eadestown 1996 Carbury

1997 Maynooth 1997 Confey

1998 Confey 1998 Rathangan

1999 Confey 1999 Sarsfields

2000 Grangenovlan 2000 Leixlip

2001 Grangenovlan 2001 Prosperous

2002 Athgarvan 2002 Eadestown Junior C Championship

2003 Sarsfields 2003 Na Fianna

2004 Leixlip 2004 Suncroft 2004 Castlemitchell

Junior League Winners

Junior League

1995 Eadestown

1996 Maynooth Junior League Shield

1997 Confey 1998 Athgarvan

1998 Rathangan Junior League Division 2

1999 Confey 1999 Sarsfield

2000 Confey 2000 Leixlip

2001 Grangenovlan 2001 Carbury

2002 Grangenovlan 2002 Eadestown

Senior League Winners

Year Division 1 Division 2 Division 3

2003 Grangenovlan Prosperous Kilcock

2004 Grangenovlan Ballykelly Naas

Minor Championships

Year Division 1 The Shield Div 2 C Championship

1995 ??

1999 Naomh Brid

2000 Confey Nas BaileEide

2001 Confey Carbury

2002 Confey

2003 Leixlip Nas BaileEide

2004 Leixlip Sarsfields Moorfield/Athgarvan

Under 16 Championships Under 16 County Feile

Under 16 U 16 Shield League Div 2 Representative

1993 Leixlip

1994 Leixlip 1994 Leixlip

1995 Leixlip 1995 Leixlip

1996 Confey 1996 Leixlip

1997 Confey 1997 Leixlip

1998 Confey 1998

1999 Confey 1999 Confey

2000 Confey Na Fianna Raheens 2000 Confey

2001 Leixlip 2001 Carbury

2002 Leixlip Naas 2002 Leixlip

2003 Confey Maynooth 2003 Leixlip

2004 Leixlip Ballykelly 2004 Leixlip

Under 14 Championship

Division 1

Michael & Pat Delaney Cup The Paul Kelly Cup

1993 Leixlip Division 2 C Champ

1994 Leixlip 1994 Leixlip

1995 Leixlip 1995 Sarsfields

1996 Leixlip 1996 Athgarvan

1997 Sarsfields 1997 Eadestown

1998 Confey 1998 Naas

1999 Confey

2000 Leixlip 2000 Na Fianna

2001 Carbury

2002 Leixlip 2002 Eadestown

2003 Leixlip 2003 Sarsfields Maynooth

2004 Leixlip 2004 Milltown

Autumn Leagues

Under 14 League Under 12 League

Division 1 Division 2 Division 1 Division 2

2001 Leixlip Balyna 2001 Leixlip Clane

2002 Confey Ballykelly 2002 Leixlip Naas

Under 15 Under 13 Under 11

Div 1 Div 2 Div 3 Div 1(Feile 04) Div 2 Div 3 Div 1 Div 2

2003 Confey Maynooth Leixlip Ballykelly Naas Eadestown

2004 Confey Maynooth Milltown Sarsfields Balyna Na Fianna Confey Carbury

Under 12 Championship

A

The Brian Thomas Cup Under 12 Shield C Championship

1997 Confey

1998 Clogherinkoe 1998 Naas ??

1999 Carbury

2000 Confey 2000 Carbury

2001 Balyna

2002 Leixlip 2002 Eadestown 2002 Naas

2003 Carbury 2003 Clane 2003 Balyna

2004 Sarsfields 2004 Carbury 2004 Milltown

Post Primary Schools Championship

Senior Junior

Intel Cup

1994 Maynooth 1994 Colaiste Ciaran Leixlip

1995 Colaiste Ciaran, Leixlip 1995 Colaiste Ciaran Leixlip

Post Primary Schools League

Senior Junior

1995 Maynooth 1995 Colaiste Chiarain

1996 Colaiste Chiarain 1996 Colaiste Chiarain

1997 Colaiste Chiarain 1997 Colaiste Chiarain

Junior 7 a side

1996 Leixlip

1997 Maynooth

Kildare

Leinster Junior Champions Kildare

National League Div 2 Winners Kildare

All Ireland Junior Champions Kildare

Championship Winners 2004

Senior Winners Grangenovlan

Intermediate Winners Sarsfields

Intermediate Runners Up Athgarvan

Junior A Winners Leixlip

Junior A Runners Up Maynooth

Junior B Winners Suncroft

Junior B Runners Up Prosperous

Junior C Winners Castlemitchell

Junior C Runners Up Naas

League Div 1 Winners Grangenovlan

League Div 1 Runners Up Eadestown

League Div 2 Winners Ballykelly

League Div 2 Runners Up Prosperous

League Div 3 Winners Naas

League Div 3 Runners Up Balyna

Under 12 Champ Winners Sarsfields

Under 12 Champ Runners Up Confey

Under 12 Shield Winners Carbury

Under 12 Shield Runners Up Moorefield

Under 12 C Winners Milltown

Under 12 C Runners Up Ballykelly

Under 14 Champ Winners Leixlip

Under 14 Champ Runners Up Confey

Under 14 Shield Winners Milltown

Under 14 Shield Runners Up Eadestown

Under 16 Champ winners Leixlip

Under 16 Champ runners Up Maynooth

Under 16 Shield Winners Ballykelly

Under 16 Shield Runners Up Eadestown

Minor Champ winners Leixlip

Minor Champ Runners Up Nas/Baile Eide

Minor Shield Winners Sarsfields

Minor Shield Runners Up Ballykelly

Under 11 League Div 1 Winners Sarsfields

Under 11 League Div 1 Runners Up Confey

Under 11 League Div 2 Winners Carbury

Under 11 League Div 2 Runners Up Moorefield

Under 13 League Div 1 Winners Sarsfields

Under 13 League Div 1 Runners Up Naas

Under 13 League Div 2 Winners Balyna

Under 13 League Div 2 Runners Up Clane

Under 13 League Div 3 Winners Na Fianna

Under 13 League Div 3 Runners Up Kilcullen

Under 15 League Div 1 Winners Confey

Under 15 League Div 1 Runners Up Leixlip

Under 15 League Div 2 Winners Maynooth

Under 15 League Div 2 Runners Up Eadestown

Under 15 League Div 3 Winners Milltown

Under 15 League Div 3 Runners Up Moorefield

Cumann Peil Gael Na mBan Cill Dara

Annual Report 2005

The most notable aspect of the year was of course that Kildare were senior. In Suzuki National League Kildare played in Division 1 and in the Leinster Senior Championship. Both were tough assignments. The sole national league game at the end of 2004 when everybody was just tired at the end of a hectic year saw an under-strength team lose heavily in Mayo. Cork, Monaghan and Galway were also too strong but the first win was achieved in a brilliant display against Kerry in Kildimo. Our loss to Monaghan on the day Mayo hosted Kerry, left us hoping for a Mayo ‘result’ but amazingly Kerry won well in Mayo. We then faced a play-off with Kerry and when it was fixed for Easter Sunday and clashed with the camogie team playing Galway it certainly made it difficult especially for our dual players. That players were put in such a position was grossly unfair. The total non-co-operation from opposition and the national bodies was disappointing to say the least. The players really got stuck in and took Kerry into extra time but the great experience won out and we have to face Division 2 next year. At least the nonsense of one National league game in November and then nothing for 3 months has been dropped and the first Sunday in February is the start of regaining the coveted Division 1 place. Let’s hope it only takes one year.

Out of adversity often comes the bright side. The bright side of that National League fixtures clash was the first formal meeting of camogie and ladies football in the county and suddenly we all found that we could plan together and work together for the benefit of all our players. A special word of thanks is due to Joan O’Flynn and I will come back to this co-operation theme.

The Leinster Senior Championship was quickly upon us and the first outing was on 15th May 2005 against Laois in Stradbally. The start was terrible. Laois were totally in charge. Then Kildare players began to find their legs and suddenly the air of Laois invincibility wore thin. Kildare matched Laois in the second quarter and then midway through the second half Kildare got level. A couple of missed chances proved fatal and in the final four minutes Laois used their physical strength and experience to pull through. The bullet from Simone that came back off the Laois crossbar, the second time that bloody piece of timber denied her, when the sides were level entering the final 5 minutes, showed just how close it was.

Dublin were rattled in Sarsfield Park, Longford were well beaten, but the intensity just wasn’t there when Meath were the visitors. The semi final away to Dublin was again close for a long time but hard won experience again told in the last ten minutes. For a first Senior Championship season it was promising. A great spirit allied to a battling quality and a lot of talent shows there is every reason to be optimistic. We do need every advantage we can get. Every quality player in the county has to be on board and with new manager Pat Ryan appointed, lets all get stuck in. There is plenty of work to be done and if it is done, I firmly believe the Lilies can up the levels again.

Minor

Our minors, with Janice O’Brien, Paul Drumm and Christy Horan again in charge, had Meath as first round opposition. The preparations seemed to have everything set up for the game in Carbury. On the day things just went wrong. Injuries, an asthma attack, everything conspired against the team. Meath were of course smarting from the drubbing the girls had given them in 2004 and they got their revenge. Janice opted out in the aftermath and had a big day during the summer. Wedding bells were ringing. Congratulations to Janice and John and may all your troubles be Kildare footballers.

2006 Preparations

The Managements for the County Senior, Junior, Minor, Under 16 and Under 12 teams are in place and news on the Under 14 is imminent. A Junior team has been entered for next year’s Leinster Championship. Fielding two county teams will be a new challenge. The Under 16s have already started preparations and others won’t be far behind. Every facility possible must be given to the county teams to find the right players and then to prepare them properly for the challenges that lie ahead. Only if this is done can teams show off their best and we owe them that when we give them a lily-white jersey.

Club Championships

Minor:

The Minor A Championship is the only competition not completed this year. There are lessons to be learned from what happened and while I am severely tempted to give chapter and verse, recriminations will not help.

The final Carbury v Sarsfields when it is played in the New Year has the ingredients to be a thriller.

The Shield was won by Balyna who were pushed to the limit by Naas. The win was the third championship won by Balyna this year, the culmination of an excellent year and most of the players had similar success on the camogie field. Well done all. Naas were competing in Minor on their own for the first time so reaching the final was an excellent achievement.

Minor C:

Clane emerged deserving winners when they defeated the Rathangan/Round Towers combination St Brigids in a final excellently hosted by Rathangan who are setting a standard that will be difficult to match in the hosting of county finals.

Junior:

Junior C:

Newcomers St Laurence’s qualified for their first county final and provided stern opposition for Balyna. For 50 minutes this game was in the melting pot, then county players, Carol Bergin, Siobhan Hurley and club captain Clodagh Flanagan took charge to eke out a narrow win. The accidental but serious injury to Ciara Mooney put a bit of a damper on the occasion. The broken leg seemed to be healing well when I last saw Ciara and she might even be able to help with her mother’s new role as camagie county Registrar.

Junior B:

Ballykelly celebrated their 10th anniversary with a first adult championship when holding off Na Fianna in the Junior B final. The years of hard graft and harder disappointments were quickly forgotten as the celebrations began.

Junior A:

This was the big surprise of the year. During the Spring, there was a very real possibility that Athgarvan Ladies would fold. A couple of brave souls would not let go. In the circumstances qualifying for the county final would have satisfied many. Eadestown were roaring hot favourites but in a tight tense low scoring game, Athgarvan edged them out. In the Leinster Club Athgarvan had a handy home first round win and the trip to Ardee provided a similar easy win. The Leinster semi final at home to Skerries Harps was a brilliant win. Athgarvan ran riot in the first half and not even Dublin star Lyndsey Davey who has since won an All Star could make any impression on the vigilant Athgarvan defence. The Leinster final was reminiscent of the county final but with Ashling Lambe and Tracey Noone in form, Athgarvan became the third Kildare club to win a Leinster title. The All Ireland semi final hosted in exemplary fashion by Milltown and in a game they dominated but could never put away, Athgarvan won 3-5 to 1-4 and were in an All Ireland. A far cry from the club that struggled to find 15 players in March. The red card issued to Emer McBride was to prove expensive when the final was brought forward by a day. Emer missed the final but her team-mates did her proud. Having looked out of it in the first half Athgarvan staged a massive fight back and took the lead with ten minutes left. Their Cork opponents regrouped and two quick goals saw the Kildare side 2-11 to 2-7 in arrears at the finish. It was a great voyage and Athgarvan can be justly proud of their achievement.

Intermediate:

The battle between town rivals Confey and Leixlip was the first game on the programme on the county finals day we shared with camogie and their senior final. Confey started the better and Leixlip had to do something special. They did by introducing a 15 year old who went on to score 3-5 and win Player of the Match. Christina Newtown deserved the award and there were plenty of others on both teams who gave top class displays.

This was probably the game of the championship and credit to both sides. Leixlip lost out to Dublin inter-champs, St Brigids in the first round of the Leinster Club in a game that they looked to have in control early on.

Senior:

Our first senior final had Grangenovlan and Sarsfields in opposition. While Grangenovlan dominted much of the first half, Sarsfields kept in touch with a couple of goals and they again rallied in the second half but when Brianne Leahy cut loose there was only going to be one winner as Grangenovlan were absolutely determined to win the first senior final. Sarsfields did not go down without a fight and their mostly young team surprised many by making it so difficult for the Leahy’s, Cunningham’s, Ann Hughes and company. The records will show Ann Hughes as the first captain to be presented with the Ciaran Burke Cup and the honour is well deserved.

In the Leinster club, despite home advantage, Grangenovlan could not match the all round strength of Ballyboden St Endas who came into the game not just as Dublin champions but as reigning All Ireland champions and they went on to retain that title.

Senior Leagues:

Eadestown dethroned title holders Grangenovlan in an epic final which practically mirrored the final of last year. Then it was Eadestown ahead with Grangenovlan scoring a late goal to win. This time it was Grangenovlan ahead with time almost up when Eadestown go the goal that prevented a 5 in a row and brought them the Division 1 League title for the first time since the first League in 1995 and a number of stalwarts were still in situ from a testament to their dedication.

Division 2 resulted in a win for Maynooth as they regained their Division 1 status at the first attempt. Naas put up a brave battle with a very young team that promises much for the future and has in Lisa Higgins, a player capable of making waves at the highest level should she choose.

Prosperous, who finished second bottom had to play the Division 3 runners up to decide promotion /relegation and Prosperous just held on in an exciting battle.

In Division 3, just like last year it was ‘new kids on the block’. This time, St Laurence’s making up for the Junior C Championship final loss as they outfought the Eadestown second team for a brilliant first adult title. With so many good players, St Laurence’s could well challenge for Division 2 honours next year.

The 14 game leagues are a stretch as long as clubs want the games scheduled when county players are available. Would a single round league of seven games or a four Division league with a double round of ten games be a possibility?

Bord Na nOg

The first full year of the Bord’s existence has to be classed as a success. A date was set for the last games of the year, the Under 15 Autumn League finals.

They were played that day and were the last games to be played. For that most of the credit is due to the clubs who played when they should. However this success would never have been possible without the mount of work done by Fixtures Secretary, David Tormey. Paddy Kennedy also did a power of work and his resignation was a massive loss.

The county under age teams moved on a pace during the year with the Under 16 team reaching the Leinster final the highlight. The Bord Na nOg Report covered its activities in detail and I won’t bore you with repetition.

For Bord Na nOg to continue to work efficiently its needs a full compliment of officers. It is up to the clubs to get members to fill all Bord Na nOg positions in January.

Conclusion

While relegation back to Division 2 of the Suzuki National League was a disappointment after such a hard battle to get there, there is every reason for hope as the two displays against Kerry showed. Regaining a place in the top flight will be tough but has to be a serious early target.

The Leinster Senior Championship was a tough learning exercise but Kildare were never out of their depth and with the right attitude from supporters, mentors and players, progress is very possible.

I normally forget our referees when I come to do my report. We cannot have our competitions without their dedicated services. I thank them all and assure them that they are appreciated. I hope that the players also appreciate them and I ask mentors and supporters to support the referees and if you have an opinion it does not have to be roared at the top of your voice there and then. It is especially important that under age mentors show good example to their young, impressionable charges in communicating with referees.

There are many other people to thank. All those who took on roles with county teams, with club teams and the clubs who so generously gave us the use of their grounds for matches and training. Sarsfields for the seniors, Carbury for the under 14s and minors, Allenwood for the under 16s were very generous. The County GAA facilitated us in Hawkfield on many occasions. To all of you we are very thankful and we appreciate the use of St Conleth’s Park for county games. The county finals in Naas was only brilliant and the joint promotion with camogie.

The meeting with camogie on Good Friday was born of frustration with the national and provincial bodies. There have been fixture clashes with so many dual players at both club and county level, action had to be taken. At the meeting many potential problems were sorted and thus we knew when the under 16 footballers qualified for the Leinster final that the camogie Leinster final was down for the same day. Early contact was made and the football game was rescheduled. Problem solved before it became an issue.

While the meeting was arranged to sort out problems for county teams, it moved on to club dates and the problem of both having chosen the same county finals date was quickly solved with the proposal that we play together. It worked brilliantly. Naas, as the venue was ideal with all its modern facilities, multiple dressing rooms, warm up pitches and ‘social facilities’ while the weather was almost too good as some sunburnt visages told the following day. The attendance was more than either of us ever had and the games lived up to the billing as the camogie final went down to the wire and the Celbridge victory achieved with a late two goal salvo could herald a great new era for Kildare Camogie. Camogie chairperson and acting PRO, Joan O’Flynn worked hand in glove with Alan Bell to stage the event and Margaret Sexton was another invaluable worker on the day.

Ladies football and camogie have nothing to gain from ignoring each others existence as was the practice. We both have everything to gain from co-operation. For 2006, we agreed with camogie that the joint county finals day will continue with, this time our senior final between two camogie finals.

To al those people who took on the job of managing, training, coaching and selecting county teams and those who barked them every inch of the way, thanks a million.

We appreciate the top class coverage from the local newspapers and radio. To Tommy Callaghan, Daragh O’Conchuir and Vincent Sutton, many thanks. The coverage is very important in our development and I have to acknowledge the vast improvement in our profile on KRM and to Cillian Whelan, now almost part of the family, we owe you one.

The Supporters Club, under the leadership of Hugh Noone, Mick Hannafin, Ger Melia and Maria Clancy continued the very important job of raising the funds to keep the show on the road. The Raheens Draw was a significant help and with the cycle eased the pressure on the Board. Thanks folks.

We got significant new and increased sponsorship. Newbridge Silverware were a massive bonus. The Player of the Match awards in the company products where Ger Melia continued to support the county under age teams and Alan Bell arranged a deal with O’Neills to supply most of the kit for the teams. The 3 new sets of jerseys for our Under 12 teams were the icing on that particular cake.

County chairperson Seamus McCabe, continued to give the county great leadership and to set the standard with his commitment and hard work. Thanks Seamus. Marie Clancy as Treasurer as well as liaison with the county team and Mick Hannafin as county Registrar were also powerhouses. Christy Horan looked after the disciplinary matters nice and quietly as well as being available to attend every county game, loads of club games and practically all finals and there were almost 30 of them, 29 in fact. Julie Cunnngham did great work as Development Officer with assistant Nuala O’Mahony. Julie was overly committed due t6o her club and county training and playing duties and illness and something had to give, hence her mid year decision to step aside from her development role. Our PR reached a new level this year with Diane Behan as PRO at the start of the year and Alan Bell stepping up from the assistant post when Diane stepped down.

John Lawlor at Leinster and Jim Heduan at Central Council kept Kildare to the forefront. I want to pay a special tribute to all who served the County Board this year. My name gets on most items that reach the clubs but lets be very clear the work was often done by my colleagues and I thank them all.

Thanks to all my fellow county officers for their Trojan work.

Marian Dolan and Maura Holton with Marie Clancy made a lot of soup and sandwiches during the year for a lot of hungry players. Ladies, the post training repasts, were very welcome and appreciated.

We had no totally new club this year for the first time since 1997. Robert Emmetts are a new name, resulting from the amalgamation, at least temporarily of Raheens and Sallins. St Laurences competed in adult level for the first time while Ballymore Eustace who affiliated in late 2004 made their competitive debut this year. Monasterevan did not affiliate this year and while Celbridge did, they did not succeed in fielding the under age team they had planned. With a little help from the Board, they and Athy, from where very positive signs are emerging, could well be competing in Bord Na nOg in the spring.

The ambition stated here last year of having ladies football in every GAA club in the county as a realistic ambition over maybe five years must get serious attention in 2006. As the integration with the GAA is set to take serious root in 2006 and be completed for 2007 there will never be a better time. The GAA nationally and at provincial level in Leinster are totally positive. Its up to you, within the GAA clubs and to all at County Board level to get cracking.

I was very disappointed by the attitude of a small minority within a minority of clubs who avoided played their scheduled games and then expect to be facilitated by others who had played games in adverse circumstances. League4s and league stages of championships are an opportunity for players to get games. Not every player will always be available and team managers will have to accept that an occasional game had to be played without the team being at full strength. This applies especially when players give first preference to other sports. Another disappointment is when a team plays only the minimum number of ‘league’ games to qualify for the knock-out stages and thereby deprive their own and other club players of scheduled. The phone call, “oh that game is off” from one club to another has to be consigned to history.

I have left for last the important people. We officials are mere facilitators. The people who count are the players, all of them. Well done to each and every one of them, those who played for their clubs, for this schools, colleges, for the county, at every level and to Brianne Leahy, Tracy Noone and Simone Gilabert who won the inter-provincial title with Leinster. To Simone Gilabert who captained the county team, was nominated for an All Star and won Player of the Year in the county. Congratulations.

Since it will be a requirement from the start of 2007 that all involved with ladies football be GAA members, I will not be eligible to continue any involvement in ladies football from the end of 2006.

I do not wish to continue as an officer of County Board or Bord Na nOg and it would be in the best interests of Cumann Peil Gael Na mBan Cill Dara to plan for 2007 right now.

Finally we remember those who have passed away this year and I offer the sympathies of Cum,ann Peil Gael a mBan Cill Dara to the bereaved.

Tom Ryan

Runai

Bord Na Og

Cumann Peil Gael Na mBan Cill Dara

Annual Report 2005

Having been set up in June 2004 this year was the first full year for Bord Na nOg Cumann Peil Gael Na mBan Cill Dara. After the successful Annual General Meeting on 27 January 2004, the Board met on five occasions, 31 March, 28 April, 21 July, 25 August, and 13 October. The office3rs also met in emergency session on the 10 June. There were also a number of Fixtures Committee Meetings.

I have attached the Roll of Honour 2005 and as can be seen all competitions, 19 in total were completed with the last finals played as scheduled on Saturday 19 November. I congratulate all the winners and say well done to all of them and also well done to very club, team, player and mentor who participated in the Kildare competitions this year. I hope all of you enjoyed them. If anyone did not I would hope you will bring forward the suggestions to correct the situation that failed to satisfy.

County Teams

Under 16

We had a new management for this year’s Under 16 team, led by Anto Mooney with able assistance from Sharon Conway, Simone Gilabert, congratulations on your Kildare Player of the Year and All Star nomination, Simone, Collette Callinan and Nuala O’ Mahony. The preparations were very thorough and qualification for 6the Leinster Championship final was achieved. There the opposition, Dublin, were just too strong and our team lost no caste in losing to a brilliant team. Anto and company are having another ‘go’ in 2006 and with the year’s experience behind them, Kildare will be match for most.

Under 14

Brigid Murphy with Donal Hanley as coach and selectors Nora Walsh, Peter Kelly and Barry Hoban took charge of the Under 14 team and started training in, was it October or November 2004! After great preparations and wins over Wexford, Meath and Westmeath they lost to Dublin. A win over Laois in Mountmellick ensured a semi final v Meath.

That was the day on which the team failed to play to its potential and Kildare suffered an unexpected heavy defeat. At least the team had the Leinster and All Ireland Blitzes to look forward to and sweet revenge was gained over Meath in the semi final in Carlow but the newly crowned All Ireland champions Dublin were waiting in the final and Kildare could not match them.

At least there was a set of medals won and they will be presented on Saturday week in Lumville House. We also have a Cill Dara and Lily Whites squad in the Leinster Blitz and with Alan Bell, Anto Mooney and Simone Gilabert taking charge of Cill Datra who won Division 2 in Leinster, and Kilcock Ladies, Sheena Byrne, Linda Byrne, Fiona King and Grainne Gormely in charge of the Lily Whites. All have been invited and will be welcome to the Bord Na nOg Awards night on Sunday 11 December.

The championship panel are heading to London for the weekend tomorrow with Brigid as usual raising most of the money and we will see how they get on when they arrive in Lumbville on December 11.

The report on the Cill Dara teams participation made great reading. The team won its way to the final and then came the good bit, “When Jane Peacock smashed her rebounded penalty to the net she also smashed the Royal County’s chances of taking this game and it finished Kildare 1-1 Meath 0-2”. Another title in the bag.

Under 12

Mick Hanafin took over the Under 12 management for 2005 and decided to enter 3 teams (rather than the two in previous years).

He recruited Arthur Corrigan, Michael McMarlowe and Liz O’Donoghoe to work with him with the Kildare team.

Nuala O’Mahony, Julie Cunningham, Colette Callinan and Joe O’donoghue took on the Cill Dara side and Mick Kelly, Jackie Kelly, Gillian Lynch, David Emmanuel and Michelle Nolan led the Lily White squad. Ricky Ellis was Physio for all 3 teams at both blitzes, many thanks Ricky.

The 3 teams played in both Blitzes and in June Cill Dara and the Lily Whites won runners-up medals. All 89, yes 89, will be guests on Saturday week.

All the mentors are on board for 2006 and as you can read in Mick’s report on the year’s events, there is great determination to go even better next year.

Championships

Under 12: Sarsfields retained the Under 12 championship. They have loads of young talent and provided the players stick at it, they will be a major force in Juvenile football over the next few years at least.

Carbury with very small numbers did brilliantly to reach the final, having won the Shield last year and the club is another nursery for Kildare level talent.

The Shield was won this year by Moorefield, a first Championship win totally under their own steam (the minor winners last year were a Moorefield/Athgarvan team). Having been runners up last year in the Under 11 League the progression is just reward for Frances Kelly et al. Eadestown were Runners up this year and as always are never far away when the silverware is being distributed.

The ‘C’ winners are Na Fianna and this was not so unexpected with Johnny Crowe, Patricia Higgins and Celine Brennan following on from Nuala O’Mahony’s foundations with another of our ‘small’ clubs, Balyna running them very close.

Under 14: This championship saw a changing of the gears as Balyna and Sarsfields made the final.

This was delayed for a long period and planning needs to be tightened. A marvellous final played in October in Hawkfield had everything. Bright sunshine for the start, a quick fading of the light, then under floodlights and they then went dark. The players were the only one not panicking and will full illumination restored, Sarsfield just managed to edge home. Balyna were disappointed having been our very effective All Ireland Feile representatives. Roll on the 2006 and 2007 Under 16.

Na Fianna, after their exploits in the 2004 Autumn League, showed their worth again winning the Shield with unfortunate Eadestown again in the Bridesmaid’s role.

The Under 14 ‘C’ was played for only the second time after a year’s break and it saw Clane re-emerge to collect the title with newcomers Castledermot reaching their first Championship final.

Under 16: Confey regained the Juvenile title edging out the holders, Leixlip. This pair have long dominated this championship. In fact in 13 years they have divided this title between them and the win this year puts Confey 7/6 in front of their near neighbours. They will both be all out to continue their hold next year and the challenge is there to break their grip. Is anyone up to it yet?

Balyna collected the Shiled with a win over Clane in a Championship which suffered from withdrawals. A tougher line on entries may be need to avoid a repeat. This was not the fault of Balyna or Clane who were both well up to the challenge.

Eadestown finally got over the finals jinx, which seemed to haunt them since the 2002 Under 12 win, in the ‘C’ championship for a well deserved win. Now that they are in winning made, they are a club capable of winning plenty more as their senior ladies showed in the league final. Near neighbours Naas were the runners up and the great local rivalry will no doubt continue between these closely matched squads.

Autumn Leagues

These leagues are becoming a lot more competitive and this their third year saw a much bigger entry in all grades forcing the addition of a Division at Under 11.

Under 11:

In Division 1, Sarsfields made up for losing the final last year with a good win over Eadestown who some were not rating before the competition started, a big mistake?

In Division 2, Clane continued their revival, well they were out of the winner’s lists last year and for the Flour Bags, that’s almost a famine, when they won this league with Naas running them close.

Division 3: We had our first Under 11 Division3 this year and Maynooth took advantage to collect the title at the expense of Kilcock. Both clubs are getting stuck in at under age and don’t be surprised to see them appearing in more finals in the next few years.

Under 13:

Division 1, Naas produced an upset in the final when beating hot-shots Sarsfields, but of course they had beaten them in the ‘round’ game as well.

The win was just reward for the work Leila Cronin, Dick Mellit, Arthur Corrigan and company had done over a couple of years, especially as they just missed out to the same opposition in last years final.

Division 2 – Clan continued their excellent run when overcoming Leixlip in the final, overturning a hefty defeat when the side had met in the earlier league game. It just goes to prove that a bit of determination never goes astray.

The Division 3 final saw a new name on the Roll of Honour as St Laurence’s overcame sporting Ballykelly in the final. The game was played mid week under lights in St Laurence’s at Ballykelly’s suggestion after the first date had been cancelled due to a camogie final and the second washed out and time was of the essence with the Feile semis and final due in only days. St Laurence scored an unusual tally of 8 goals, null points in the final and needed all of them as the Maroons pushed them to the end. With a senior league also under their belts in the year, the ‘Larries’ will take watching.

Under 15:

Division 1 – Having missed last year’s thriller, I did not repeat that mistake this year and the reward was another brilliant Derby in St Catherine’s Park. The pitch was in class order and the teams were similar. Leixlip dominated for 35 minutes and then Confey struck for 7 points inside 6 minutes. From there to the end it was a ding dong football battle with the home side just edging out the visitors. Well done both, Confey just about deserved the win on the day and Leixlip were thoroughly sporting runners up.

Division 2 – Naas collected a second Autumn League title as they outgunned Eadestown. This well earned win was the first set of winner’s medals for this Naas age group and was just reward for six or is it eight year’s work with them by Ann O’Shea.

Division 3 – The final with Kilcullen facing Kill in what was a first final appearance for both was a mighty battle in the Elistown sunshine on Saturday 17 November, the last day of the 2005 playing seas in the county. While the Ger Comerford/Niall Timmons managed Kilcullen side just made it in the end, Kill and mentors Joe Corrigan and Ger O’Toole would have been very pleased with their team’s performance. Sue Goulding and Christine Nugent would also have been happy with the win, just reward for the tough going over the last two years.

Feile

The File competition pitted the Under 13 Division 2 and winners against the top 2 from Division 1 with the premier side emerging to renew Naas Sarsfields rivalry in the final.

This was another tight affair and went to extra time before Sarsfields overturned the Under 13 final result and qualified to represent the county at Feile 2006 in Wicklow.

As the Feile next year is close by it is possible that we will be asked to assist in acting as hosts and Wicklow had a test run in the summer with a Leinster Feile. A number of Kildare clubs participated and I would ask all clubs on or near the Wicklow border to be ready to step forward in July as many did when Field was in Dublin, was it 4 or 5 years back.

Conclusion:

This was a great year. Yes we had problems and disagreement. I suppose there will always be differences over policies, fixtures or dates but if we can all work with one aim, to facilitate the players then won’t it all be worthwhile.

Thanks to all the supporters, mentors and players who have worked so hard for so long for club and county alike. The Group I always forget to mention are the referees. Without them, we would have no games and I thank them each and every one.

Great credit us due to the clubs who so generously gave us the use of their grounds for matches and training. Sarsfields, Allenwood and Round Towers facilitated the under 12. Carbury was home for the Kildare Under 14 team while Clane and Kilcock came up trumps for the Cill Dara and Lily Whites. Allenwood also hosted the Under 16 training and of course Carbury and Confey provided the venues for the home Leinster Championship games.

Many clubs hosted championship and league semi finals and finals. Thanks to all of you and if I give a mention to Ellistown, who on one day had five county semis and then had an Under 15 game of their own, you might agree they deserve it.

Credit is also due to those brave souls who took charge of our county teams. Huge amounts of time and effort were put into preparing all the teams and then on match day everything has to be right. To some the Manager is never right, it’s the team that wins but we appreciate all your work and effort, thanks a million.

The local media, print and radio have been great and if anyone did not get the coverage they think they deserved they most likely need to look very close to home. Lets build the profile even more next year. All it takes is a texted result and a few lines of a report emailed to the PRO or direct to the papers and KFM.

Thanks to all my fellow officers for their Trojan work and especially David Tormey. He continued to do the fixtures to the end even when he did formally retire during the summer. Sue Goulding, Mick Hanafin, Marie Clancy, Paddy Kennedy, Julie Cunningham, Catherine Sweeney, Geraldine Stafford and Nuala O’Mahony also did their duty. County Chairperson Seamus McCabe was an inspiration to us all with his unstinting efforts to promote the game within the county and to show Kildare to their best advantage outside.

I have left for last the important people. We officials are mere facilitators. The people who count are the players, all of them. Well done to each and every one of them, those who played for their clubs, for the county at every grade, especially those who won medals with and for Kildare. Congratulations to each and every one of you.

Tom Ryan

Runai

County Under 12 teams report

A total of 89 players from 15 different clubs represented their county during 2005 at Under 12 level. These players are the future of ladies football in Kildare. Without doubt this is the way forward and can only be a positive step for the development of the game. Other counties now have football academies in place and if we are to be serious about improving our standards then we will have to follow suit or simply fall behind.

Arthur Corrigan, Liz O’Donoghue, Michael McMarlow and Mick Hanafin took charge of the Kildare squad. Nuala O’Mahony, Julie Cunningham, Colette Callinan and Joe ‘Donoghue were mentors for Cill Dara while Mick Kelly, Jackie Kelly, Gillian Lynch, David Emmanuel and Michelle Nolan led the Lily White squad. Denise Ellis stepped in for Liz O’Donoghue at the September blitz. Ricky Ellis acted as paramedic at both blitz competitions while Jim Dempsey looked after the photography.

Thanks must go to the County Board, the newly formed Bord Na nOg and the Kildare Ladies Football Supporters Club for all their support in ensuring g that the three squads were treated as all count teams should be treated, well kitted out and fed after both the blitz competitions in which they participated. Thanks to Alan Bell for securing three complete sets of gear for the teams. Thanks to all the clubs for putting their players forward, to the players’ parents and guardians for getting them to training and to Carlow. Thanks to Sarsfields, Round Towers and Allenwood for the use of their facilities during the year. Thanks to Simone Gilabert for her encouragement during the year and thanks to Tom Ryan for keeping everyone updated on what was happening during the year at Under 12 level.

Training started in April in preparation for the June Blitz. The reaction from the players and their parents and guardians was very encouraging from the outset. The complete Under 12 set up received nothing but positive reports right through and it certainly rubbed off on both the players and the mentors of the teams. The June blitz took place on the 7 June, which turned out to be a blistering hot day. Both the Cill Dara and Lily White squads reached the final of their sections where they both lost out narrowly to Dublin. The Kildare squad while not securing a win, managed a draw with Dublin and played well in all their other games. The second blitz, which took place on the 3 September, was again played in beautiful conditions. While we did not bring home any medals from this blitz, all three teams again did themselves justice and a great day was had by all.

There is little doubt that the break for summer holidays and the fact that a lot of players were not aware that training had resumed for the September blitz had a bearing on our performances in the September blitz. This can be proven by the fact that the Kildare squad drew with Dublin in the first blitz but were blown away by the same opposition in the second blitz. That was a valuable lesson that we learned this year and it will not be repeated in 2006. It was obvious that Dublin had regrouped after the June blitz and had put in a big effort in their preparations for the second blitz. Winning however, is not everything and at the end of the day the most important thing this year was that 89 players got to represent their county. They were introduced to county football and a lot of them will be representing Kildare for many years to come. Every player gave everything they could for the cause and they never gave up. They showed tremendous dedication and determination at both training and at the blitz’s. The behaviour of all 89 players was impeccable during the year and they are a credit to all that are associated with them.

This year we have all learned a lot from our experience. In 2006 with the vast majority of the same mentors in place we are determined to do even better. Most importantly we will again be fielding three squads with hopefully as many players getting to represent Kildare. We look forward to as much positive reaction as we have received this year and we intend to continue building for the future.

Roll on 2006 because we will be ready!

Mick Hanafin

Manager

County Under 12 Squads 2005

Kildare U12 Panel Cill Dara U12 Co Panel Lily Whites U12 Panel

2005 2005 2005

26 Players 26 Players 27 Players

Naas Carbury Carbury Castledermot

Clodagh Bradley Tara Mallen Shannon Gill Sarah Harman

Noelle Djennadi Gillian Carroll Sinead Deering

Confey Bernadette Mulligan Laura O’Rourke Danielle Doyle

Siofra Daly Charlene Reilly Natasha O’Reilly

Rachel Divilly Cliona Fox

Aisling Sargent Laura O’Rourke Ballykelly

Leah Earley Alice Kavanagh

Katie Martin Confey Shauna Forde

Karen Gallagher Rebecca Maher

Sarsfields Niamh Mullarkey

Muireann Kavanagh Niamh Scally Kilcullen

Sadhbh cDonnell Shonah Mullins Ellen Kelly

Sophie Ellis Annie O’Toole

Roisin Byrne Naas Claire Mulrennan

Daniells English Naomi Curtis

Amanda Barbour Alison Lackey Milltown

Aileen Kyne Rachel Phelan Croline Harty

Leona Hughes

Eadestown Sarsfields Cathy Hill

Emma Sargent Mia Donnelly Laura Hanlon

Leah Mooney Nicole McMarlow

Aisling Quinn Sarah Sheridan Kilcock

Ciara Cairnduff Grace White

Moorefield Tara Cairnduff Yvonne leonard

Sarah Bell Roisin Dempsey Sarah Comerford

Shannyn Brogan Una Confey Marian Gildea

Eliza Kelly Caoimhe Fagan

Moorefield Claire King

Kilcullen Shauna Doyle Ashling Mooney

Laura Comerford Niamh Doyle

Sinead Maher Gina Rogan St Laurences

Eimear Fogarty

Carbury Eadestown Alison Keatley

Catherine O’Malley Caitriona Hoey Dearbhla Byrne

Karen Cummins Leah White Maggie Keatley

Karen Bryan

Ballykelly Ballymore Eustace

Alanna Marron Teresa Gorman

Rebecca Harrison Cleo Hubbard

Milltown Ballykelly

Roberta Rutledge Aoibheann Harrison

Shannon Moore

Niamh Byrne

Karen Hickey

Mentors Mentors Mentors

Liz O’Donoghue Nuala O’Mahony Jackie Kelly

Arthur Corrigan Julie Cunningham Mick Kelly

Michael McMarlow Joe O’Donoghue David Emanuel

Mick Hanafan Michelle Nolan

County Under 14 Squads 2005

Cill Dara Panel Lily Whites U12 Panel

Who won Division 2 2005

of the Leinster Blitz

Balyna Kilcullen Kilcock

Aoine O’Donoghue Nicole Murphy Cathy Carberry

Careen Farrell Jane Peacock Orla Cagney

Miriam Murphy Shona Cagney

Carbury Maeve Mulhall

Moorefield Karen Kelly Shannon Byrne

Dearbhail Kelly Muirinn Cotter

Amber Masterson Na Fianna

Lorna Maher Na Fianna

Milltown Hazel Swords Christine Hynes

Aoife Jacob Siobhan Sullivan Amy Ennis

Irene Heavey Karen Boland Margaret Brennan

Charlene Dunn Aideen O’Sullivan

Kill

Emma Buckley Milltown Carbury

Nicole Melia Donna Reilly

Kilcullen Sylvia Moore

Nicole Murphy Niamh Dunne Sarsfields

Aoife Ryan

Clane Confey Cathy Bennett

Grainne Gaffney Shauna McGrath Geraldine O’Neill

Aine Quinn Emily Crean Shauna Dunne

Niamh Dunne

Naas Sarafields

Roisin Conran Fran Magee Kilcullen

Amy Doyle Orla Kelly Emily Vaughan

Croline ill Lisa Kelly

Dairine Hoban Cliodhna Donagher Eadestown

Orla Hanlon

Sarsfields Ballykelly Kate Shaw

Suzie Coffey Mary Kate Callaghan

Pamela Martin Gemma Hurley Castledermott

Jennifer Murphy Lorraine O’Neill

Evelyn Loftus Moorefield Imelda Hickey

Courtney Keating Michelle Abbott

Prosperous Debbie Costigan

Stephanie Barrett Balyna

Emer Holton Robert Emmets

Ballykelly Jenna Murphy Samantha Desmond

Mary Kate Callaghan Rhona Bergin Chloe Cansell

Gemma Hurley Claire Dunne

Amy Ryan

Eadestown

Rebecca Whyte

Na Fianna

Lorna Maher

Carbury

Serena Dowdall

Shauna ‘Brien

annah Gilligan

Catherine O’Malley

Claire Sullivan

Mentors Mentors Mentors

Brigid Murphy Alan Bell Sheena Byrne

Donal Hanley Antoinette Mooney Linda Byrne

Barry Hoban Simone Gilabert Grainne Gormley

Peter Kelly Fiona King

Nora Walsh

County Under 16 Panel 2005

Ashling O’Donovan

Sandra Prendergast

Karen O’Shea

Fiona Bradley

Ciara Hogan

Aislinn Farrell

Chloe Foy

Ann Marie Fitzgerald

Siobhan Hurley

Caroline Lynch

Aine Gately

Maeve Ann Loftus

Joanne Cullen

Emma Coffey

Sinead Melia

Naomi Quinn

Amy Wynne

Michelle Kearney

Paula Brown

Leann Farrell

Sinead Healy

Sarah Louise McKiernan

Nicola Collins

Siobhan McCourt

Jane O’Donoghue

Rachel Tallon

Olivia Whyte

Mentors

Antoinette Mooney

Sharon Conway

Simone Gilabert

Nuala O’Mahony

Colette Callinan

Kildare County Roll of Honour 2005

County Championship and Leagues

Senior winners Grangenovlan

Senior runners up Sarsfields

Intermediate winners Leixlip

Intermediate runners up Confey

Junior A winners Athgarvan

Junior A runners up Eadestown

Junior B winners Ballykelly

Junior B runners up Na Fianna

Junior C winners Balyna

Junior C runners up St Laurences

Minor Championship winners Carbury or Sarsfields

Minor Championship runners up

Minor Shield winners Balyna

Minor Shield runners up Naas

Minor C Championship winners Clane

Minor C Championship runners up St Brigid (Rathangan Round Towers)

League Division 1 winners Eadestown

League Division 1 runners up Grangenovlan

League Division 2 winners Maynooth

League Division 2 runners up Naas

League Division 3 winners St Laurences

League Division 3 runners up Eadestown II

Bord na nOg Championships & Leagues

Under 12 Championship winners Sarsfields

Under 12 Championship runners up Carbury

Under 12 Shield winners Moorefield

Under 12 Shield runners up Eadestown

Under 12 C winners Na Fianna

Under 12 C runners up Balyna

Under 14 Championship winners Sarsfields

Under 14 Championship runners up Balyna

Under 14 Shield winners Na Fianna

Under 14 Shield runners up Eadestown

Under 14 C winners Clane

Under 14 C runners up Castledermot

Under 16 Championship winners Confey

Under 16 Championship runners up Leixlip

Under 16 Shield winners Balyna

Under 16 Shield runners up Clane

Under 16 C winners Eadestown

Under 16 C runners up Naas

Feile winners Sarsfields

Feile runners up Naas

Under 11 League Division 1 winners Sarsfields

Under 11 League Division 1 runners up Eadestown

Under 11 League Division 2 winners Clane

Under 11 League Division 2 runners up Naas

Under 11 League Division 3 winners Maynooth

Under 11 League Division 3 runners up Kilcock

Under 13 League Division 1 winners Naas

Under 13 League Division 1 runners up Sarsfields

Under 13 League Division 2 winners Clane

Under 13 League Division 2 runners up Leixlip

Under 13 League Division 3 winners St Laurences

Under 13 League Division 3 runners up Ballykelly

Under 15 League Division 1 winners Confey

Under 15 League Division 1 runners up Leixlip

Under 15 League Division 2 winners Naas

Under 15 League Division 2 runners up Eadestown

Under 15 League Division 3 winners Kilcullen

Under 15 League Division 3 runners up Kill

Club History Chart

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Leixlip √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Kilcock √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Eadestown √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Athgarvan √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Carbury √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Castledermot √ √ √ √

Clogherinkoe/Balyna C C C C C C B B B B B √ √

Kill √ √ √ √ √

Monasterevan √ √ √

Robertstown √ √ √ √ √

Round Towers √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Springfield/Rathangan S S S R R R R R R √ √

Confey √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Maynooth √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Grangenovlan √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Ballykelly √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Sarsfields √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Sallins √ √ √

Clane √ √ √ √ √ √

St Laurences √ √ √

Castlemitchell √ √ √ √

Celbridge √ √ √ √ √ √

Naas √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Prosperous √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Na Fianna √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Moorefield √ √ √ √ √ √

Raheens √ √ √ √ √

Cappagh √ √ √ √

Suncroft √ √ √ √ √

St Kevins √

Milltown √ √ √ √

Kilcullen √ √ √

Ellistown √ √ √

Ballymore Eustace √ √

Robert Emmetts √

Total No of Clubs 3 12 13 13 16 13 16 17 18 23 24 27 31 29

PRO Report

Finally we’ve come to the end of an extremely busy year, one which had many ups and downs but as a whole should be viewed as an extremely learned and consolidating one.

On the field our county teams represented the white jersey with distinction (of which precise details are included in our Runai’s excellent report) whilst off the field many valuable lessons were learned ones I hope will stand ladies football in good stead for the months and years that lie ahead.

On the PR front, many bridges were mended and in some cases rebuilt, testament to this was the top class coverage of all inter-county games by the Leinster Leader, Kildare Nationalist and Liffey Champion. Our coverage on the airwaves was revolutionary and I am safe in saying a strong partnership has been formed there for many a day to come.

Sponsorship was another area which was addressed with Newbridge Silverware filling the void left by Naas Health and Fitness. Many thanks must go to the latter for backing the girls when few others showed interest but full credit must go to William Doyle, Liz Kane and all at our current sponsor Newbridge Silverware. They have upped the anti as far as this one goes, going one stop further than your typical sponsor, often showing personal interest in our progress throughout the year. I personally emailed them both on a monthly basis to keep them abreast of all results and developments and would be quite certain Kildare ladies football has another good ally there. Thanks also must go to Ger Melia for his unequivocal sponsorship of all the underage teams, with all teams being decked out in full playing attire and tracksuits. The final part of the sponsorship jigsaw was with kit manufacturers O’Neills. This was the first year in which we received complimentary playing gear but same had already been purchased when the deal was closed. In return for this, our three Under 12 teams received a set of jerseys each. Also included in this deal was 20 complimentary match balls, complimentary polo shirts for each member of the senior panel and a substantial discount on hoody’s and tracksuits purchased for the senior panel towards the end of the year.

All of the above went a long way to ease some of the financial burden on the county board for the year and I am pleased to say that an improved deal with O’Neills will continue this year.

Finally, on the club scene things were dismal to say the least. It appears the importance of this role is lost to the clubs. In a day and age where we are competing with the various other codes and high profiled PR machines, Kildare Ladies Football clubs fall down badly. Proof of this was the PRO night held in Kill GAA Club during the year where the Sports Editor for each of the local papers and radio were present to advise club PRO’s how to maximise their exposure being attended by an embarrassingly low amount of club delegates. It spoke volumes for the interest in clubs and went a long way towards explaining why most clubs are anonymous to media coverage.

Personally I would like to thank the local media for all their help, to Tom Ryan and the various officers for helping with the impossible situations which arose from time to time and to the clubs who did co-operate and work with me to promote your game.

I will not be seeking re-election to the PRO position and I wish whoever takes up the reigns the best of luck. If I can be of any assistance to the incoming PRO, I will be only a phone call away. I wish the incoming county board and all the Kildare teams the best of luck for the 12 months that lie ahead.

Alan Bell

Cill Dara Abu ‘06

Extracts from Registrar’s Report 2005:

Registrations 2005

As at 7/12/2005 for County Board Convention

1670 people registered up to now.

1178 underage

419 Adult

73 Non-player

County Board – Contact List 2005

Chairperson Seamus McCabe 34 O’Connell Weir

Newbridge, Co Kildare

Vice Chairperson Christy Horan 1842 Pairc Mhuire

Newbridge, Co Kildare

Secretary Tom Ryan 9 Ryevale Lawns

Leixlip, Co Kildare

Treasurer Marie Clancy 19 Great Southern Crescent

Newbridge, Co Kildare

Registrar Mick Hannafin 68 Langton Park

Newbridge, Co Kildare

PRO Alan Bell Grove House, College Park

Newbridge, Co Kildare

Dev. Officer Julie Cunningham Clonbrin

Rathangan, Co Kildare

Ass. Dev Officer Nuala O’Mahony Allenwood

Naas, Co Kildare

Fixtures Secretary David Tormey 4 The Plains

Kildare Town

Oifigeach Gaelach Eimhin Ni Chonchuir Punchestown Upper

Rathmore, Naas, Co Kildare

Children’s Officer Ciara Tallon Kilmeade

Athy, Co Kildare

Central Council Jim Heducan 115 Glensdale, Leixlip

Delegates Tom Ryan

Leinster Council John Lawler Derryoughter Kildangan, Monasterevan

Delegates Tom Ryan

Bord Na nOg Board – Contact List

Chairperson Paddy Kennedy 1673 Pairc Mhuire

Newbridge, Co Kildare

Vice Chairperson Sue Goulding

Secretary Tom Ryan 9 Ryevale Lawns

Leixlip, Co Kildare

Treasurer Julie Cunningham

Ass. Treasurer Marie Clancy 19 Great Southern Crescent

Newbridge, Co Kildare

Registrar Mick Hannafin 68 Langton Park

Newbridge, Co Kildare

PRO Cathrine Sweeney Milltown, Co Kildare

Dev. Officer Geraldine McCormack/Stafford

Ass. Dev Officer Nuala O’Mahony Allenwood

Naas, Co Kildare

Fixtures Secretary David Tormey 4 The Plains

Kildare Town

Oifigeach Gaelach Aine Ni She 15 Oakglynn

Naas, Co Kildare

Children’s Officer Geraldine Sweeney 34 Old Connell Weir

Newbridge, Co Kildare

Club/Ladies Football Committee Chairperson & Secretary Contact list

Club Chairperson Secretary Ladies Football Contact

Athgarvan Ian Conway Cormac O Se Seamus Fingleton

Oldtown, Newbridge Morristown Biller Christy Shiel

Newbridge, Co Kildare

Ballykelly John Behan John Lawlor Margaret McCormack

Monasterevan, Co Kildare Kildangan, Co Kildare Monasterevan, Co Kildare

Ballymore- Marie Winders Gemma Swords

Eustace Ballymore-Eustace Ballymore Eustace

Balyna Irene Hurley Mary McEvoy Joseph O’Donoghue

Enfield, Co Kildare Enfield, Co Kildare

Carbury Brigid Murphy Angeline Cummins Willie Murphy

Carbury, Co Kildare Carbury, Co Kildare

Castledermot Aine Byrne Jackie Deering

Juvenile Castledermot, Co Kildare Castledermot, Co Kildare

Castledermot Joanne Barrett Mary Corrigan Tony Proctor

Senior Castledermot, Co Kildare

Castlemitchell Pauline Byrne Tara Dooley Fiona Delaney (capt)

Athy, Co Kildare Athy, Co Kildare Claire Dooley

Celbridge Mick O’Reilly Vincent Landers Saileog O’Keeffe

Celbridge, Co Kildare

Clane Clare Byrne Peter Kilkenny U12 Claire Byrne

Prosperous, Co Kildare Clane, Co Kildare U14 Lar Cribben

U16 Mary Deay

Senior Sandra Murphy

Confey Maria Fallon Annette O’Toole Senior Ray Dufficy

Leixlip, Co Kildare Leixlip, Co Kildare U12 Anne Simmons

U14 Ollie Walsh

Eadestown Gerry Kavanagh Sarah McLoughlin U12 B Jameson

Eadestown, Co Kildare Naas, Co Kildare U14 W Sargant

U16 R Jameson

Ellistown John Tierney Bernadine O’Hara Bernadine O’Hara

Rathangan, Co Kildare

Grangenovlan Joe Donovan Niamh Cunnane Yvonne Murphy

Athy, Co Kildare Athy, Co Kildare Ann Hughes

Kilcock Grainne Gormley Sheena Byrne U16 Linda Byrne

Kilcock, Co Kildare Kilcock, Co Kildare Fiona King

U10-12 Sheena Byrne

Niamh Byrne

Kilcullen Sue Goulding Jennifer Shortt Jennifer Shortt

Kilcullen, Co Kildare Kilcullen, Co Kildare

Kill Michael Kelly Michael Behan Jer O’Toole

Kill, Co Kildare Straffan, Co Kildare Joe Corrigan

Leixlip Kathleen Moolick Vincent Knightly

Leixlip, Co Kildare

Maynooth Simone Gilabert Laura Keynes Naomi Devereux

Kill, Co Kildare Maynooth, Co Kildare Underage Simone Gilabert

U10 Gerry Egan

Milltown Michael Hanlon Catherine Sweeney U12 Catherine Sweeney

Newbridge, Co Kildare Newbridge, Co Kildare Grainne Hill

Monasterevan Noreen O’Connor-Rowan Noreen O’Connor-Rowan

Monasterevan, Co Kildare

Moorefield Claire McMullen Caroline McLoughlin Senior Tony Doyle

Newbridge, Co Kildare Newbridge, Co Kildare Teresa Kelly

Frances Kelly

Naas Barry Hoban Charlie White U14 & U16 Ann O’Shea

Naas, Co Kildare Naas, Co Kildare U13 Lelia Cronin

U12 Arthur Corrigan

Na Fianna Nuala O’Mahony Marie Connolly U16 Nuala O’Mahony

Naas, Co Kildare Naas, Co Kildare

Prosperous Aine Fitzpatrick Aine McCormack Jennifer Ward

Naas, Co Kildare Naas, Co Kildare Naas, Co Kildare

Raheens Suzanne Ivers Sheila Campbell

Naas, Co Kildare Naas, Co Kildare

Rathangan Deirdre Kearney Dawn Power Dawn Power

Rathangan, Co Kildare Rathangan, Co Kildare

Round Towers John Morrissey Mary Donnelly Mick Kelly

Kildare, Co Kildare Kildare, Co Kildare Kildare, Co Kildare

Robert Emmetts

Tom Cross

Alicia Kirwan

Sallins, Co Kildare

Sarsfields Aoife Courtney Noel Dinnenny Minor Janice O’Brien

Newbridge, Co Kildare The Curragh, Co Kildare New, Co Kildare

Suncroft Patrice Behan Helen Sexton Senior Dave Tormey

The Curragh, Co Kildare Nurney, Co Kildare Gwen Deering

St Laurences Liz O’Donoghue-Byrne Debbie Murphy Underage Liz ‘Donoghue-Byrne

Colbinstown, Co Kildare Kilcullen, Co Kildare Debbie Murphy

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