Ladies Football

History of Ladies Gaelic

The Ladies Gaelic Football Association was founded in Hayes Hotel, Thurles, in 1974. Four counties, Offaly, Kerry, Tipperary and Galway attended the meeting. However, eight counties, namely Cork, Kerry, Tipperary, Waterford, Galway, Roscommon, Laois and Offaly participated in the first official All Ireland Senior Championship of that year which was won by Tipperary.
The Association has built up steadily in the intervening years and today Ladies Gaelic football is played in all counties. Ladies Gaelic football is played on an organised basis in Britain, Mainland Europe, Australia, Canada and the U.S.A. It is imperative for our Association to maintain and foster our supportive contact with our members abroad. Our Association at home must influence and help ladies football clubs overseas and share the spirit of home with those who are separated physically from their homes and to introduce those who have no connection with Ireland to the enjoyment of our sporting culture and heritage.

The structure of Ladies Gaelic Football

The Association is similar to that of the G.A.A, with Club, County Boards, Provincial Councils, Central Council and Annual Congress. The National President is elected for a three year term of office.
The Association was recognised by the G.A.A. in 1982. From its foundation the Association used the Rules in the Official Guide of the G.A.A. in conjunction with its own Rules. At the Central Council meeting of 7th October, 1985, it was decided that the Association would publish its own Official Guide and a Committee comprising of the President, Pat Quill. Vice-President, Peter Rice and Chairman of the Wexford County Board, Kieran Dunne was elected to carry out this task.
The Committee forwarded its findings to each affiliated county and the present charter was ratified at a Special Congress on the 8th March, 1986. The Rules were revised by Pat Quill, Chairman of the Development Committee and ratified at a Special Congress on 23rd March 1991.
The Association organises National Competitions for counties in under 14, under 16, under 18, Junior and Senior. There is an annual Interprovincial Competition and tournament game of the Senior All Ireland Champions v The All Stars. National Competitions are also organised for Senior Club Champions, 3rd level Colleges, Post Primary Schools and Club 7-a-side. The Association is appreciative to the G.A.A. for the use of pitches and facilities which it readily makes available.
The Ladies Gaelic Football Association today is an organisation which endeavours to reach into every Parish in our land to promote Ladies Gaelic football and to support the Irish language and other aspects of Irish culture. Throughout the country voluntary workers willingly make sacrifices to promote these ideals and assist with other organisations with ideals similar to its own.

Counties

The county is a geographical region in Ireland, and each of the thirty-two counties in Ireland organises it's own Ladies Gaelic Football affairs through a County Board. Counties have a number of Divisional or Juvenile Boards to organise competitions at district and youth levels.
The County Board (and / or subsidiary boards) will organise competitions for the clubs within its jurisdiction. They are also responsible for the organisation of teams to play at inter-county level, at all age groups from Under-10 to Senior.
The Ladies Gaelic Football All-Ireland Final is always played in Croke Park, Dublin in September.

Provinces

The Provincial Councils - Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht - are the organisations responsible for the arrangement of Ladies Gaelic Football matters within their Province. They organise the Provincial Championships for clubs and counties in both hurling and football, and look after organisational and disciplinary matters in their jurisdiction.

Teams

A ladies Gaelic Football team consists of 15 players (you can also play 7 aside, 11 and 13 aside games) and a number of substitutes. The substitutes can be called into play at any stage of the game. The team's manager chooses a starting fifteen and substitutes from a 'panel' of players.
A maximum of five substitutes may be used in a game. Every Ladies Gaelic Football team has a goalkeeper, six defenders, two midfielders and six forwards.

Lineout for 15-A-Side Game:
1.Goalkeeper.
2.Right-Full-Back 3.Full-Back 4.Left-Full-Back
5.Right-Half-Back 6.Center-Back 7.Left-Half-Back
8.Right-Center-Field 9.Left-Center-Field
10.Right-Half-Forward 11.Centre-Forward 12.Left-Half-Forward
13.Right-Full-Forward 14.Full-Forward 15.Left-Full-Forward

Monday, December 02, 2002

GAA: Shanahoe girls win first title

Shanahoe 5-4 Portlaoise 2-3

THE first ever girls football under 14 league final took place in Abbeyleix on Sunday.

Unlike the under 12 league final which saw the same pairing as the championship decision,

the u-14 final had a different make up, Portlaoise and Shanahoe.

Portlaoise had been defeated in the championship semi-final so they went into this game as

underdogs to the reigning u-14 champions shanahoe who defeated ballylinan earlier in the year.

Shanahoe were the stronger starters and clocked up three points before Portlaoise opened

their account. A great penalty save by the Shanahoe keeper, Elaine Munnelly denied Portlaoise

a slim lead and then a goal blitz by Shanahoe - four goals in 10 minutes saw Portlaoise on the

defence for the rest of the half.

Portlaoise never recovered from this goal attack and Shanahoe ran out worthy winners in the end.

Natasha Cuddy opened the scoring for Shanahoe with a point from a free. Orna Phelan added

another good point from play and Nataska Cuddy sent over another from a free.

Charlotte Delaney put Portlaoise on the scoreboard with a great point from a free. A long

kick in by Noirin Kirwan saw the ball dip under the cross bar and Shanahoe held their goal.

Within minutes Emma Fairbrother crashed home another goal and this was quickly followed

by a great goal from the best of Orna Phelan.

The Portlaoise defence battled hard but couldn’t with stand the continuous onslought by

Shanahoe and centre back Laura Dunne sot home Shanahoes fourth goal.

Portlaoise added another point from play by Charlotte Delaney and that left the half time

score Shanahoe 4-3, Portlaoise 0-2.

The start of the second half saw Portlaoises hopes of a comeback dashed by Shanahoes

5th goal, this time by half forward Mary Fitzpatrick. However, the Portlaoise girls did not

give up and after repeated attacks they were finally rewarded by Laura Nearey, who

managed to get her boot to the ball in a goal-mouth scramble and the shot went low to

the corner of the net.

Another foul in the small square saw Elaine feeney finish in style from th e penalty spot.

Portlaoise battled to the end and both sides traded points, Laura Dunne for Shanahoe

and Lorraine McCormack for Portlaoise.

The new cup, sponsored by Terry Swayne of Portlaoise Stone, was presented by Seamus

Brady, co-ordinator of the league to Natasha Cuddy.

Portlaoise: Arlene Roche, Caroline Lawless, Emma Sinnott capt, Helen Murphy, Leanne Cushen,

Michelle O’Connor, Tara Moran, Elaine Feeney (1-0), Laura Byrne, Laura O’Connor, Charlotte

Delaney (0-2), Laura Nurney (1-0), Katie Wright, Rachel Monaghan, Lorraine McCormack (0-1).

Subs Karen Lantry for Laura O’Connor, Grainne Egan for Caroline Lawless, Gemma Dunphy,

Roisin O’Dea, Niamh Cashen, Karen Seale.

Shanahoe: Elaine Munnelly, Sarah Moran, Orla Dwyer, Leanne Fennelly, Kate Hyland,

Laura Dunne 1-1, Tori Lynch, Marion O’Grady, Karen Cuddy, Mary Fitzgerald (0-1),

Natasha Cuddy (0-2) capt, Noirin Kirwan (1-0), Orna Phelan (1-1), Claire Dwyer,

Emma Fairbotrhter (1-0), Subs Miriam Dalton for Claire Dwyer, Aibfinn O’Sullivan for Mary Fitzpatrick,

Catherine Harrison for Orna Phelan, Stephen Guiderea for Natasha Cuddy,

Emer O’Grady.Shanahoe - Victorious ladies

Wednesday, August 06, 2003

NO doubt inspired by the Leinster champions, Shanahoe ladies had plenty to

celebrate when they beat Crettyard in the under-17 Leinster league.

From the outset they were the stronger team, with wonderful passing marvellous

defending and well taken scores.

Shanahoe got off the mark early with a point from half-forward Fiona O’Grady,

which was quickly followed by a pair of superb points by the ever impressive

midfielder Martha Kirwan. Only five minutes into the game Shanahoe produced

their first goal when centre forward Lisa Dunne split open the Crettyard defence

with a wonderfully taken goal. In the minutes that followed Shanahoe continued

to add to their tally with points from Martha Kirwan, Fiona O’Grady, Lisa dunne

and Noreen Kirwan in addition to two goals by Karen Cuddy and Martha Kirwan.

Crettyard then put one goal and three points on the scoreboard with the help of Mary Reilly,

Kylie Murphy and centre forward Laura Kelly. Shanahoe struck back with two points from

Noreen Kirwan and Denise Cuddy. The final action of the first half was a point from

Crettyard’s Kylie Murphy; half time score: Shanahoe 3-13 Crettyard 1-4.

The second half started well for Shanahoe with a goal from Noreen Kirwan. Her sister,

Martha, came from midfield to score fabulous points. Crettyard continued their challenge

with goals from Mary Reilly and Ciara Whelan (2) and a point from Kylie Murphy. Shanahoe

finished strongly with points from midfielder Karen Cuddy and sub Jennifer Origan. A long

range shot from Fiona O’Grady saw the ball just dip under the crossbar bringing the final

score to 5-19 to Shanahoe, all from play, and 5-5 to Crettyard.

There was no doubt that it was Shanahoe’s night. Team and scorers: Orla Dwyer,

emer Moynan, Grainne Phelan, Carmel Lalor, Marian O’Grady, Aoife Donohoe,

Caroline Brennan, Martha Kirwan 1-8, Karen Cuddy 1-1, Fiona O’Grady 1-2,

Lisa Dunne 1-4, Denise Cuddy 0-1, Noreen Kirwan 1-3, Linda Moylan, Natasha Cuddy.