Secretary’s Report 2000
I take this opportunity to welcome everybody to our Annual Munster ladies Football Convention. The new Millennium saw the forgotten counties rise and shine. I will begin with all games and activities which were completed in the province for 2000.
Inter-county under age
The Under 14 competition saw a new format introduced on a one-year trial period to be reviewed. This new format guaranteed all counties 5 games. All games commenced on Saturday April 8 and the Provincial finals on Saturday May 20 in Bruff Co Limerick. The final was to be a double header. However, the best of intentions never materialised as Limerick failed to field a team in the Plate final and Clare were subsequently declared Munster Under 14 B winners.
The Championship final saw an awesome Cork side eventually prove too strong for Kerry winning on a score line 2-17 to 1-5. It was evident from the Munster campaign that this Cork side had strength and depth through the panel as their teamwork and reading of the game was a joy to watch. Next stop was Moneygall, Co Tipperary on Saturday June 17 in the All Ireland semi final and their opponents the Royal county of Meath.
The Royals had no answer to the Munster champions with them cruising to a victory 6-11 to 0-3. Celebrations were held to a minimum keeping all focused for the final hurdle.
All Ireland Under 14 final day, Saturday 14 July, Nenagh Co Tipperary, Cork’s final victims mayo were no match for this thoroughly prepared outfit. They took the game to the westerners with all their lives depending on the result and cruised to a landslide victory 6-12 to 1-4 to be crowned the first All Ireland champions of the new Millennium and also claiming the counties first Under 14 title.
The Under 16 final had Limerick and Waterford competing for honours in Sean Treacy Park, Tipperary Town on Wednesday July 12. This game proved to be a ding dong affair with the result in doubt to almost the final whistle with Limerick saving the best till last, unleashing a goal deep in injury time and winning by a two point margin 2-12 to 2-10 and deservedly crowned Munster Under 16 champions giving the Treaty County its first provincial title in this grade. Birr, Co Offaly on Saturday August 5, Limerick opposed Meath in the All Ireland semi final, it wasn’t to be their day as Meath ran out comprehensive winners 6-18 to 2-6. Despite losing heavily, all augurs well for the future of the game in the county.
The Munster Minor final on Wednesday August 2 in Fermoy pitted defending champions Waterford against the mighty Kingdom with the Deise girls retaining their title 2-19 to 2-6. On the 19 August in Stradbally, Co Laois, the scalp of the Royal county was claimed with the Deise county having a late victory 3-12 to 3-10. Final port of call was Duggan Park Ballinasloe on Saturday 16 September. The Munster champions opponents Tyrone had no answer to the scoring ability of the Deise county winning 7-12 to 1-6 to bring a second All Ireland title to the province within 3 months.
Inter-county Junior and Senior
The new Millennium saw both these finals played at a central venue – Bruff Co limerick. This was the first time we hosted both finals on the same day and what a success it proved. Sunday July 30 and the weather was a major disappointment. In fact it was the only disappointment. All teams served a very high standard of ladies football and the atmosphere from all followers of the game adding to the occasion. Waterford defending both titles faced Kerry and Clare respectively.
The Junior final preceded the senior with the Deise girls still champions 1-11 to 0-10. The scene was set for the showpiece of the year with the Banner county aiming for its first senior provincial title.
We were honoured on the day to have as guest of honour Munster GAA President Sean Kelly, Bank of Ireland representatives and many other dignitaries. The day’s events were a huge success with numerous phone calls and cards of congratulations conveyed to Munster Council Ladies football on a very well organised and enjoyable day’s football.
At 3.45 proceeding were under way and the Marie Killeen captained Banner side was off to the worst possible start falling behind to a fortuitous goal.
Clare held their composure and came storming at the death and when an upset looked likely time ran out and the Banner side were defeated by the narrowest of margins 2-9 to 1-11 ensuring Waterford their 9 Provincial senior title.
An overseas trip to Waterford juniors in the quarter-final proved a one-sided game defeating Lancashire 8-40 to no score. The junior and senior all Ireland semi-finals were in Parnell Park Dublin on Saturday September 9. In the junior game, Galway denied Waterford with their goalkeeper to the rescue in the dying moments inflicting defeat on Munster champs 1-9 to 0-14. The senior semi final was an eagerly awaited tie and this turned out to be an anti-climax with Waterford easy winners over a disappointing Meath team 1-17 to 0-8. Croke Park, October 1, a repeat of 1999 Waterford v mayo reigning All Ireland champions. All gaels eagerly awaited this fixture. Verdicts galore went with the Munster champions, alas the score board told a different story with Waterford losing by the minimum 0-14 to 3-6.
Junior Club
Proceedings began in Munster on Saturday September 2, St Val’s Cork defeated Tramore Waterford 2-11 to 2-10. South Kerry defeated O’Curry’s Kilkee 6-12 to 2-8. Gerald Griffins Limerick rose from the dead to equalise with Aherlow, Tipperary in the semi-final but the Griffins made no mistake at the second time of asking, defeating Aherlow 5-11 to 5-5. Munster club final day – October 15, Gerald Griffins Limerick v St Valentine’s Cork, this was a hard fought contest with neither side willing to surrender. Both clubs playing in their first provincial final, preparations complete, support at a premium, it was the never say die attitude of the Griffins saw them achieve success by a slender one point margin 3-5 to 1-10 creating history. Gerald Griffins hosted Clonacool of Sligo in Askeaton co limerick in the club quarter-final with the Munster 08.
Two steps away from a national title for the West Limerick club. Sunday 12 November the Griffins had a long journey to Mountmellick Co Laois. Quietly confident of defeating the local club Sarsfields, all going according to play this they eventually achieved playing delightful football and excellent team work 7-7 to 3-5. all Ireland club final day St Loman’s Mulingar was the venue on Sunday November 26, Gerald Griffins Limerick v Donaghmoyne Monaghan. Weather conditions perfect, Allied Irish Bank sponsors, green and white flags, banners etc very prominent ensuring vast support for the little rural club, little in stature, big in heart, skill and commitment. The northerners took the game to Griffins who were slow to get their rhythm but once they did it was evident and with huge support driving their team to achieve their reward an All Ireland title. All Ireland club champions 2000 Gerald Griffins, belief in club and county Gerald Griffins 1-11 to 1-8. Third All Ireland title to Munster. Gerald Griffins, we salute you, enjoy your success, build from here with greater rewards on the horizon.
The Intermediate final played in Sean Finn Park Rathkeale on Sunday October 8 pitted Rockchapel Cork and Crusheen, Clare with the Rock achieving success 4-15 to 3-7. Saturday November 12 Woodmount outside Ballinasloe, Rockchapel faced Padraig Pearses, Roscommon in the All Ireland semi final. This game wasn’t for the faint hearted when all seemed lost for the Rock and two points adrift and just hanging in, a lucky break deep in injury time, the ball in the back of Pearse’s net.
The Rock one point to the good relief, the final whistle Rockchapel 2-11 to 1-13. all Ireland final day December 2 Semple Stadium, Thurles, opponents confey,Kildare, Rockchapel approached this game with renewed confidence, hard work completed, nothing to lose, all to gain. Slow to change gear, intelligent changes, good passages of play the Rock on the score board, no turning back as this side did not know defeat and were not interested only in their goal of being Intermediate champions and this they achieved emphatically scoring 5-11 to 0-11. Congratulations to all, All Ireland number 2 to Rockchapel, Musnter’s 4 from Junior to Senior status in a short time achieved through hard work and dedication. Congratulations Rockchapel.
The Senior B final held on Sunday 8 October in Croagh Co Limerick had a Donoughmore, Cork play Fergus Rovers Clare. On a day when all were running for shelter both must be commended for the standard of football served. However it was the Cork girls who triumphed 5-19 to 0-6. Munster final day in Glantane outside mallow on Sunday October 15, reigning champions Ballymacarbry v Donoughmore, a lot of neutrals believed this to be Donoughmore’s year as they had played good football throughout. It was the champions to strike first, the challengers were having none of it and kept to their game plan on a day with all favouring good football. It was the might of Ballymac’s experience and all, which won 6-12 to 3-12 to claim their 13 Provincial Club title.
Ballymacarbry hosted Carnacon of Mayo in the Fraher Field in the quarter-final on Sunday October 22. On this occasion heavy rain and driving winds tried to spoil the game but both teams were not letting the weather interfere and Ballymacarbry ran out winners 0-13 to 0-7. Sunday November 12, the venue Stradbally, Co Laois, opponents Timahoe. Ballymac were off to the best possible start only to allow the Leinster champions back into the game. This was a cracking game of football with the result in doubt at the final whistle 0-11 to 1-8, a draw.
Extra time as in normal time, a cliff-hanger but Ballymacarbry defeated by the narrowest of margins 2-14 to 4-9.
Feile Peil na nOg
Dublin hosted Feile and Munster clubs again to the fore, South Kerry retaining Division 1 title defeating Corofin 2-11 to 0-6. Division 2 was all Munster final Beara Cork defeated Dromcollogher/Broadford Limerick 4-6 to 1-4.
Under 14 All Ireland Blitz
The Under 14 Blitz held annually in Mullingar on Saturday 29 July saw the Provincial and All Ireland champions Cork blaze through all counties and win Division 1 with ease. Accounting for Galway 5-5 to 2-2, Wexford 5-10 to 0-0, Laois 8-13 to 1-2, Mayo in the semi-finals 3-10 to 0-1 and finally Galway in the final 8-2 to 0-1. A remarkable achievement by this side in winning all their games since they set out in Munster on Saturday April 8.
All Ireland Junior and Senior 7 a side
A large number of Munster clubs participated in Santry and St Vincent’s on Saturday September 30. Tipperary clubs figures prominently in the junior section with Aherlow winning the Plate Final and this their first time participating in the competition. Cappawhite were eventually defeated in the cup final. South Kerry reached the Plate final and were defeated by Padraig Pearses 5-6 to 2-10.
Cailini Oige
In 1999 the stage was set for our Primary teams, 2000 Munster went a further step forward patenting the competition Cailini Oige.
This competition had all 6 counties participating run on a league system, further helping in the development of all counties underage teams. Sunday July 30 Kerry defeated Limerick in a very entertaining game prior to our BOI finals.
Munster Coaches Tournament
Brendan Gallagher and company was the brain behind this competition. Clare has the honour of first winners of this tournament when they defeated Waterford. This competition ensures the 4 beaten counties further competitive games once defeated in the Provincial championship.
Schools and Colleges
With the new grading system a large number of new schools became involved in competition. A number of teachers have become involved in co-ordinating the different groups. The following schools won on the playing field: Senior A Intermediate School, Killorglin and were unlucky in the All Ireland final. Senior B, Stella Maris Tramore, Junior A, Colaiste Na Sceilige Caherciveen and won another All Ireland defeating St Louis Monaghan 7-17 to 1-3.
Junior B, Beara Community School. On the colleges front, CIT students Paula Walsh and Bridge Hannigan were awarded a Bursary and GAA scholarship for ladies football respectively.
Munster GAA Council awarded Majella Griffin, Clare with Munster Ladies Football Player of the Year. Majella was presented with a special cut Waterford glass at a function in Limerick last December.
Congratulations to all our players, those who received BOI player of the match awards, our All Star winners Martina O’Ryan, Annalisa Crotty, Olivia Condon and Mary O’Donnell, all Waterford and replacement Majella Griffin, Clare.
Munster hosted the Inter-Provincials in Tralee on the may weekend. Weather conditions not in our favour allowing for one venue despite all efforts and channels tried to no avail. All games playing times reduced, it weren’t the perfect scenario. However, provinces made the most of the situation. Unlucky to lose in the championship, Munster captained by Martina O’Ryan defeated Ulster in the Plate final. For the first time all counties were represented on the provincial team, managed by Michael Ryan with assistance from Johnny Hayes.
We say a sincere thank you to all our referees, pitch co-ordinators, who t all times are so co-operative and welcoming to Munster Ladies Football.
Congratulations to all who wed during the year and those who had family additions. I extend deep sympathy to all that were bereaved. I thank all counties, clubs and all followers of Ladies Football as well as all in GAA who gave great co-operation and courtesy to us at all time. I compliment all clubs and counties participating in Munster. Congratulations to the successful ones and to all others, your day is not far away.
Congratulations to Michael Ryan on a fantastic programme compiled for our BOI Provincial finals, to all subscribers, all counties who submitted adverts, Grainne Marrinan, Clare PRO who gave great assistance, George Young and the Clare champion re photographs. Esther Cahill on keeping tabs on our finances and also her help and ideas.
On a persona note a sincere thanks to those officers who assisted me when the going got tough were always there ensuring me of their support and advice. Teamwork is great with all pulling in one direction in the promotion of Munster Ladies Football.
A final thanks to our President Joe Condon, a man of few words, but constructive ones, a good leader and a good listener, thanks Joe.
Yours in sport
Maire Halvey
Secretary