Ladies Football

Cumann Peil Gael Na mBan Contae Aontroma

Ladies Football has nearly completed two decades of existence in Antrim. And for two decades ladies football has for the most part slipped by relatively unnoticed by the vast majority of County Antrim natives. However, the emergence of city clubs starting approximately five years ago has given ladies football some recognition. Within this short space of time clubs such as St Paul's have competed at Ulster finals and at All Ireland level and Antrim is now being acknowledged around the province and country for the strength in their ladies football. There are currently 14 clubs in Antrim fielding ladies Gaelic teams and with growing interest from clubs it won't be long before Antrim has the depth in talent to emulate some of the success already attained by their Camogie colleagues. In fact on a more positive note Antrim at juvenile level reached two Ulster finals at minor and under 16 this season with the under 16s lifting the Ulster B championship title. A start in the right direction for Antrim.

The senior team competed at junior level and again met Derry in the Ulster final hosted by St Josephs, Glenavy. Unfortunately Derry proved too strong on this occasion. Despite this defeat Antrim entered the All Ireland series and qualified for a semi final place after finishing second in their round robin group. Again they came up against Ulster neighbours Derry but were unable to reverse the outcome of their Ulster final encounter.

The profile of ladies Gaelic is without question improving. The 'Gaelic 4 Girls' initiative is generating interest and enthusiasm around areas of Belfast where the prospect or indeed interest in playing Gaelic football is deficient. This six week programme gives young girls the opportunity to sample the game and provides them access to clubs that offer ladies Gaelic. In May around 70 girls aged between 7-11years who had never played Gaelic before participated in the programme. The finals day was attended by Cumann Peil Gael na mBan an Uachtaran Geraldine Giles.

CLUB

New Arrivals

Antrim county board welcomed the arrival of new clubs Ardoyne Kickhams from North Belfast and Tir Na nOg, Randalstown. Both these clubs competed at Division 2 level with Tir Na nOg contesting the league title, a brilliant achievement in their debut year of competing in ladies football. It is hoped that these clubs will enter some juvenile competitions next season.

Competitions

This year Antrim County Board worked in conjunction with South Antrim games development officers Kieran Megraw and Liam Mc Goldrick to run blitzes on a monthly basis for the u12s. The GO games format was applied and this seemed to be a great success. Approximately six clubs took part in the competition.

St Paul's continue to set the gold standard in ladies football as they dominate the county scene. They currently hold all juvenile titles.

The county senior finals were a great success with a record number in attendance. Casement Park was the venue for the finals September 4^th. St Paul's retained their intermediate title with ease against St Galls whilst their junior team shocked everyone to lift the title against All Saints, Ballymena.

Action from the Intermediate Final

SCHOOLS

In the Belfast area St Anne's emerged as front runners this year at primary school level capturing both league and championship titles.

St Genevieve's under 14s won Antrim secondary schools and progressed to the Ulster final against St Catherine Armagh. This was a tightly contested game with the Armagh school eventually overcoming St Genevieve's. Kirsty Mc Guinness of St Genevieve's was awarded player of the match.

The Antrim county Board wish to thank the sponsors of the county teams:

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