Secretary’s Report 1999 - MLGFA Munster Ladies Gaelic Football Association

Secretary’s Report 1999

I welcome you all to our annual Munster Ladies Football Convention.  Unfortunately we lost our secretary, Sandra Allen on Thursday may 6 after 9 years as Provincial Secretary.  All officers and delegates were stunned and shocked at Sandra’s resignation and all spoke highly of her work and involvement to Munster ladies Football down through the years.

I attended that meeting not knowing what lay ahead and went in as Development Officer but left having being elected Munster Secretary, a daunting task and with a large pair of boots to fill.

I will commence with all games and activities which took place in Munster in the year ended 1999.


Under age inter-county

At Under 14, Kerry and Limerick contested the Munster final on Saturday May 29 in Pairc na Gael, Limerick.  Kerry won comfortably 5-14 to 2-5.  No team stood in the way of Kerry reaching the All Ireland final on Saturday 17 July in Nenagh and the Kingdom were victorious over a gallant Meath team 4-7 to 4-5.  In Under 16 Musnter final, once again Kerry and Limerick were in action in Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney on Friday 23.  Again the Kingdom came out on top 5-10 to 2-10.  The Kingdom never faltered on their way to the final, again with Meath being their opponents in Nenagh on Saturday August 28 with a second All Ireland title coming to Munster 1-12 to 0-9.  The Munster Minor final on Wednesday August 11 in Fraher Field, Dungarvan had defending Cork travel to player Waterford.  This game proved to be there for the taking and with a very high level of skill evident on the day.  Cork surrendered their title to the Deice girls on a scoreline of 2-18 to 4-9.  The Deice girls carried Munster’s hopes to Birr on Saturday August 21 and Monaghan being their opponents, after a controversial game, they were defeated 5-10 to 5-8.

Junior and Senior inter-county

The Junior final played in Fraher Field, Dungarvan on Sunday July 25 between Waterford and Cork with the locals winning easily 3-13 to 2-6.  Next stop Summerhill on Saturday September 17 to play New York.  Waterford had to give second best with the overseas visitors winning by the minimum 1-12 to 1-11 to reach their first All Ireland final in Croke Park.  The big disappointment of the senior championship was the failure of Clare to field a team against Waterford in one semi-final.  In Killarney on Monday July 19, Cork recorded their first senior championship victory over the Kingdom on 0-11 to 1-7 to meet reigning champions Waterford.  On Sunday August 15 in Fraher Field, Dungarvan, Waterford hosted Cork for the Munster senior final and the champions won easily 6-12 to 2-8.  It was to Parnell Park on Saturday, September 4 for the first time both semi-finals at the same venue and also with live television coverage.  Waterford defending their title against old enemies and archrivals, Monaghan, despite being reduced to 14 players mid way through the second half, losing Aine Wall due to a hamstring injury and Catriona Carey’s broken leg, they held out to win 1-15 to 1-9.  

Subsequently Rebecca Halahan received a 3 month suspension.  Final stop in the way of Waterford defending their title minus two key players.  On the day Mayo played delightful football and deserved to take Brendan martin Cup home scoring 0-12 to 0-8.

Junior Club Championship

On the club front in Munster proceedings began on Sunday 19 September in Cappamore and Abbeyfeale respectively.  Brickey Rangers, Waterford defeated Crusheen Clare 4-17 to 2-2.  Rockchapel, Cork defeated Athea, Limerick 2-13 to 2-10.  In the Junior final in Rathkeale on Saturday, October 16 and Rockchapel defeatged Brickey Rangers comprehensively 3-17 to 2-7.  Rockchapel had home advantage in Ballydesmond on Sunday October 31 versus Coney of Kildare to win comfortably 5-10 to 3-5 in the quarter final.

Prior to this game Rockchapel withstood an objection from Convey to proceed to play Newtownbutler on Sunday November 14 in Fermanagh and with the Rock having an easy passage to the All Ireland final scoring 3-13 to 0-9.  The Rock travelled to Birr on Sunday November 28 to play Connaught champions St Nathy’s of Sligo and on the day the Munster girls were deserving of the title winning 1-13 to 1-7 and became the first Cork Junior Club to win an all Ireland Junior Club title.

Intermediate Club

This final played in Rathkeale on Sunday October 16 paired Naomh Aban, Cork and Doonbeg, Clare and the Cork girls won comfortably 4-11 to 2-2.  However, a Doonbeg appeal led to a Munster Council investigation as to Naomh Aban’s intermediate status.  Munster Council awarded the game to Doonbeg.  However, subsequently National Council in their wisdom overturned Munster’s decision and Naomh Aban proceeded to play Cooley of Louth on Sunday November 14 in Killimatra and the Cork champions were defeated 1-5 to 1-8, dashing any hopes of reaching their second All Ireland club final in 2 years.

Senior Club

The Senior Championship commenced on Sunday September 19 in Abbeyfeale with the B final pairing Donoughmore, Cork and Cooraclare of Clare with Donoughmore retasining their title 3-8 to 1-10.  The Senior Championship final in Fermoy on Sunday October 10 being a repeat of last year with Donoughmore attempting to dethrone the champions Ballymacarbry but it was not to be with Ballymacarbry winning easily 4-18 to 2-10 to claim their 13 provincial title in 15 years.  Leinster v Munster’s interest finished with Shelmaliers defeating Ballymacarbry 3-5 to 3-3 to proceed to the final and claim the title.

Underage Under 14 B Final

On Saturday May 29 in Pairc na nGael Limerick, Cork defeated Tipperary.  Tipperary 3-11 to 0-3 to be crowned Munster B Under 14 champions.

Munster Minor Club Blitz 1998

Due to weather conditions this competition was not completed until Wednesday June 30 1999 in Abbeyfeale and 4 counties were represented.  Cusheen of Clare defeated Gerald Griffins of Limerick 3-10 to 2-8.  Naomh Aban of Cork defeated Beaufort of Kerry 1-10 to 1-3.  Final Aban defeated Crusheen 5-10 to 2-2.

Munster Minor Club Blitz 1999

This competition was played in Rathkeale on Monday October 25 with again 4 counties represented.

At final, South Kerry defeated Noamh Aban of Cork 2-10 to 0-2.  B Final – Old Parish Waterford defeated O’Currys Kilkenny of Clare 4-7 to 3-6.


Feile Peile Na nOg

Munster counties hosted Feile with Clare being unable to host all counties.  Limerick came up trumps hosting Division 3 and this was also a first with 3 divisions.

Kerry club, South Kerry were Division 1 winners over Sarsfields of laois on Sunday June 13 on a scoreline of 3-5 to 2-2.  Compliments to both county boards and their organisers.

All Ireland Under 14 Blitz

Munster counties were very prominent in Mullingar on Saturday July 3, Kerry winning Division 1 defeating Galway 1-5 to 0-4 and Cork defeating Mayo in Division 2, 3-8 to 2-7 maintaining Munster’s dominance in underage competitions.

All Ireland junior and Senior 7s

In Santry on Saturday, October 2 Munster teams figured prominently both in the Cup and Shield Juniors and in Senior Shield.  Ballyduff of Kerry defeated Tramore of Waterford 6-2 to 4-2 to be crowned Junior Champions 1999.  In the Shield, Mungret of Limerick were defeated by Fr Rocks Tyrone 4-3 to 3-4.

At St Vincent’s also on the same day in the Senior shield Beaufort of Kerry were defeated by Shelmaliers Wexford 2-2 to 2-5.

Schools and Colleges

Ladies football has grown within our schools with 65 schools participating in a new format organised by munster Council with Steven lynch at the helm doing Trojan work.  Congratulations to St John Bosco, Caherciveen on winning both Junior and Senior All Ireland finals in 1999.  On the colleges front, Tom Madigan, Steven lynch, Ciara Cregan, M.I and Joe Fallon, Garda College have Munster well represented with Joe doing great PR work.

Congratulations to all teams

I congratulate all Munster team winners provincial and national plus all our teams and counties who participated in 1999, also all our girls who received All Star awards.  We salute and congratulate the first All Ireland champions, the Tipperary 1974 team and in this our Silver Jubilee year they finally walked the sold of Croke park.

Inter-Provincials

Munster travelled to Monaghan to participate in the inter-provincials on the weekend of Saturday and Sunday May 1 and 2.  Overall the competition was a success.  As far as Munster are concerned major work is required regarding the integration of players from all counties.  This needs to be given serious consideration by the management team if we are to ensure participation from our top players from all counties within the province. It is an honour to play for our province and this is the way it should be seen.

Primary Teams

Munster organised a primary game before our junior and senior finals which resulted in Waterford and Cork playing both finals putting out different primary teams both days with Cork winning easily both days.  Munster played Connaught in Croke Park in a primary game on Sunday October 3 and defeated Connaught 2-2 to 0-1.

Also on the same day, Waterford Primary team defeated mayo Primary team 0-3 to 0-2.  Thanks to Brendan Gallagher and Michelle Power for organising the teams.  In Munster primary team all 6 counties were represented.

On Saturday April 17, Munster Council organised a referees seminar hosted in mallow with almost all counties attending.  On Tuesday 19 October, Pat Quill attended a development meeting.  Munster Council’s big achievement for 1999 was hosting double headers in most competitions at high profile venues ensuring bigger crowds also with the hosting of Under 14 B competitions giving all counties extra games.  Munster Council purchased skills videos for all counties, clubs and schools for a total of £1,000.  A sincere thanks to all referees with a special mention to Pat Molyneaux on his first All Ireland in Croke Park.  Unfortunately for Pat the football keepsake never materialised as he relied on the good spirit of the two teams supplying one, ensuring the game went ahead.  To all our umpires and lines people who ensured almost all games were officiated by neutral personnel, a sincere thank you.  To our bankers, Esther Cahill and Kay Madigan as these two ladies have the most thankless job of all and who worked diligently at all times through the year and kept the financial coffers in a healthy position.  

To Munster Council GAA for their help and co-operation, a sincere thank you.  To all our sponsors and special men, to Tom and Kay Madigan who sponsored the Munster Under 14 B final.  To all GAA clubs, caretakers and all persons involved in making facilities available to us in ladies football at all times and who were always courteous and co-operative, a sincere thanks.

On a personal note, a sincere thanks to all the officers of Munster Council who helped me during the year and were always willing to offer advice and assistance when the occasions arose.

Farewell to Tom Madigan as Munster President who has worked tirelessly for the province for the past number of years and was always willing to help in any department when the need arose.  Even though Tom’s reign ends today, he will still be much involved in ladies football.

Congratulations to Noel Murray who represents Munster as national President and who dedicates a lot of time and commitment to our organisation.  Noel hands over officer in March.

Congratulations to all who wed during the year, and to those with family additions.


Sympathy

I extend my sympathy to all those who lost relatives and loved ones, with special mention to Weekend Observer Reporter, Michael Hanley who died suddenly last October and who was a good friend to me and ladies football.

I have no doubt the new Millennium with all counties co-operating will prove to be another successful year on and off the field in Munster.  We hope that ladies football will grow from strength to strength throughout the province.

Yours in sport,
Maire Halvey
Secretary

Officers of Provincial Council of Munster 2000

President:   Joe Condon
Vice-President:  Michael Ryan
Secretary:   Maire Halvey
Assistant Secretary:  Peggy kennedy
Treasurer:   Esther Cahill
Assistant Treasurer:  Kay Madigan
Culture & Lang. Officer: Steven lynch
PRO:    Michael Ryan
Development officers:  Johnny Hayes
  Tom Madigan