Secretary’s Report 2003 - MLGFA Munster Ladies Gaelic Football Association

Secretary's Report 2003

It is once again my privilege to convey all events for the province of Munster for ladies football 2003.

The playing season kick started with our Under 16 competition with both cork and Kerry seeded to the semi-finals.  Round 1 on Saturday April 5 - Clare 2-4 Limerick 5-5 in Banner pitch, Ennis Waterford 2-18 Tipperary 1-5 in Bushy Park.

Round 2 on Friday 11 April - Limerick 5-2 Tipperary 1-3 in Pallasgreen.  Saturday 12 April Waterford 5-17 Clare 0-1 in Solohead.

One Under 16 semi-final played on Good Friday 18 April - Cork 3-17 Limerick 1-3 in Ballyclough and the second semi-final played on Saturday 19 April - Kerry 3-10 Waterford 1-6 in Ballyhooly.  The Munster final played in Marcoom on Saturday April 26 - Cork 3-7 Kerry 0-6 and Rena Buckley of cork named Player of the match.

The All Ireland semi-final played on Saturday August 2 in Mungret - Cork 2-11 Galway 4-16, Cork losing their title.

The Under 14 competition began on Saturday May 3 with Cork seeded to semi-final.

Round 1:   Tipperary 0-2 Kerry 3-23 in Newcastlewest.  Waterford a bye, Clare 1-1 Limerick 3-8 in Miltown Malbay

Round 2:   On Wednesday 7 May, Limerick 2-3 Kerry 5-9 in Abbeyfeale, Tippeary a bye, on Saturday May 10, Clare 4-3 Waterford 3-10 in Cappamore.

Round 3:   On Saturday May 17, Limerick 4-4 Waterford 8-5 in Bansha, Kerry a bye, Clare 4-10 Tipperary 2-4 in Wolfe Tones Shannon.

Round 4:   On Saturday 24 May Waterford 3-10 Kerry 3-7 in Ballyhooly, Clare a bye.  On Sunday 25 May Limerick 13-18 Tipperary 1-3 in Ballylanders.

Round 5:   On Saturday 31 May Waterford 2-10 Tipperary 0-5 in Fraher Field, Limerick a bye, Clare 3-6 Kerry 4-14 in Cooraclare.

Both semi-finals were played on Saturday June 7 - Limerick 2-5 Waterford 1-15 in Tipperary Town, Kerry 4-4 Cork 8-10 in O'Sullivan Park, Killorglin.

The A-B Under 14 finals played in Fitzgerald Park, Killmallock. On Saturday June 28, B final Clare 6-11 Tipperary 3-9 and Catherine Walsh Tipperary named player of the match.  A final Cork 7-12 Waterford 2-3 for the 4 year in a row, the Rebels crowned champions and Rhone Buckley Cork named Player of the Match.  


The All Ireland semi-final played in Nenagh on Saturday 26 July eventually saw Cork through 5-8 Dublin 4-7 in a cracking game to reach their 4th All Ireland final in a row and the final played in Cusack Park, Ennis on Saturday August 9 after a most exciting and entertaining game of football, Cork 3-11 Mayo 2-8 and Jenny Luddy of Cork named player of the match.  History was also made in the fact that the champions are the first county to win 4 All Ireland titles in a row.

The minor competition began on Saturday June 28 - Clare 2-6 Kerry 5-20 in Coolaclare and on Wednesday July 2 Waterford 0-5 Cork 9-13 in Ballyduff, Tipperary 4-13 Linmerick 3-11 in Clogheen.

Losers Group: Wednesday July 9 Waterford 5-23 Limerick 0-3 in Tipperary Town.  Wednesday 23 July Waterford 3-7 Clare 0-11 in Tipperary Town.  The minor semi-finals, one played on Wednesday 6 August in Ballincollig Cork 7-12 Waterford 2-3.  Semi-final, two played on Thursday August 7 in Dromina Kerry 7-0 Tipperary 1-2.  The Munster minor final played on Sunday August 26 in Annascaul Kerry 3-7 Cork 4-16 with Briege Corkery Cork named player of the match.

Cork with a clean sweep of underage titles in the province.

The Minor All Ireland semi final played on Saturday September 6 in Cahir Cork 4-18 Laois 202 and the All Ireland final played on Saturday September 20 in Birr the Rebel train continued defeating a fancied Mayo side 3-11 to 2-5 despite denied a number of key players to claim their second All Ireland title of 2003., Angela Walsh Cork named Player of the Match.

Munster Junior TG4 Championship rolled off on Sunday June 29 in Cahir and Walsh Park respectively, Tipperary 3-6 Limerick 2-10, Waterford 0-8 Kerry 1-6.

Sunday July 5, Tipperary 0-10 Cork 1-4 in Ardfinnan.  Saturday July 12 in Pairc Ui Rinn Cork 1-13 Waterford 2-7, Tipperary 3-12 Kerry 2-9 in Doonbeg.  Wednesday July 16, Tipperary 3-19 Waterford 0-8 in Cahir, Limerick 7-10 Kerry 0-4 in Beaufort.  Saturday July 19, Limerick 3-11 Waterford 1-6 in Emly, Cork 4-7 Kerry 0-3 in Carrigaline.

Wednesday July 23 in Ballyclough, Cork 0-7 Limerick 2-11.  The final played in Pairc Ui Rinn on Bank Holiday Monday August 4 saw history being made with Tipperary having tow points to spare over Limerick 0-11 to 0-9 to claim their first ever junior title.  Ella O'Shaughnessy Limerick named player of the match.  
The All Ireland Junior semi-final played on Saturday September 14 in Portarlington, Tipperary 1-8 Kildare 5-18 ending Tipperary's interest in the competition.

The Munster Senior TG4 competition run on a league basis for the first time beginning on Saturday July 5 - Waterford 2-17 Kerry 2-8 in Walsh Park. Clare 0-6 Cork 4-19 in Ardfinnan. Saturday July 12 - Cork 2-6 Waterford 2-18 in Pair cui Rinn.  Clare 1-10 Kerry 5-20 in Cooraclare.  Saturday July 19 - Cork 3-10 Kerry 2-14 in Carrigaline.  The Waterford/Clare game never materialised due to Clare unable to field a team.  

The Munster senior final played in pairc Ui Rinn on Monday 4 August for the first time in 10 years saw Kerry defeat the champions, return to the winners enclosure on a score line of 2-12 to 2-10 and Linda Wall of Waterford named player of the match.  This game had it all, thrills, excitement and lots of skill so the Kingdom finally lay all ghosts to rest and march on in the All Ireland series champions.  The qualifiers, introduced for the first time, allowing all beaten provincial finalists participate, paired Kerry with Laois on Saturday August 30 in Cusack Park, Ennis.  Kerry were worthy winners 3-8 to 2-8 and Kacey O'Driscoll of Kerry named player of the match.  Also the same day at the same venue their colleague's Waterford weren't as lucky losing to Mayo 1-11 to 3-14 thus ending Deice interests.  Kerry continued in the all Ireland series to Portlaoise on Saturday 13 September in the semi final where they met a cracking Dublin team 0-8 to 0-13 with many recalling the memories of the many GAA encounters in the past of these 2 counties, this game was televised live on TG4.

Unfortunately Munster would have no team in Croke Park on All Ireland final day.

The Cailini Oige competition which was brought on board to help counties develop has lost sight of the development factor in that all were instructed to have separate panels for each game giving 40 girls the opportunity to wear the county jersey.  Most counties have adhered to separate panels for each game.  Maybe we should analyse this competition for the coming season.  The following games were played during the year; Tipperary 3-8 Limerick 0-7 in Ardfinnan.  Sunday June 29 - Cork 11-7 Clare 1-2 in Goatenbridge.  Saturday July 12 Tipperary 2-1 Waterford 1-3 in Cahir.  Wednesday July 16 Cork 1-5 Kerry 2-6 in Carrigaline.  Saturday July 19 - Limerick 5-6 Waterford 3-3 in Cashel and the final played on Monday August 4 prior to the adult finals in Pair cui Rinn Kerry 8-13 Tipperary 1-1.

The Munster AIB club championship with the juniors leading the way started on Saturday September 27 in Ballynacally Coolmeen (Clare) 5-6 Bruree (Limerick 3-6.  Gabriel Rangers (Cork) 4-11 Old parish (Waterford) 3-9 in Ballydelhob.  Saturday 11 october in Connolly Park Tralee Austin Stacks (Kerry) 4-7 Coolmeen 2-7.  Sunday October 12 in Clonakilty, Gabrial Rangers 7-17 Ardfinnan (Tipperary) 0-8.  the final played on Sunday October 19 in Glenflesk saw Gabriel Rangers 4-17 to 4-5 winners over Austin Stacks.  The All Ireland quarter final played in Castlehaven on Sunday November 9 in Dunmore Co Galway, again the Rangers continue on their winning way defeating the local club Dunmore Mchales 4-10 to 0-5.  all Ireland junior club final on Sunday November 30 in Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, the west cork club faced the capitals representative Fingallians with the might of the Rebels taking the game to the Dubs playing a lovely fast moving brand of football leaving the end result in no doubt.  

Finally Gabriel Rangers are the AIB All Ireland junior club champions 1-22 to 0-8, a massive achievement from all concerned.  When you look back on the history books of Cork ladies football, it was on the fifth attempt that they won through and climbed to the top of the honours list.  If you fail once, try, try, try and they did succeed with Nollaig Cleary, Gabriel Rangers, named player of the match.

The Intermediate club competition began on Saturday September 27 in Glin Athea (Limerick) 3-17 Doonbeg (Clare) 1-4, Sunday September 28 in Ballyvourney Naomh Aban (Cork) 3-15 St Annes (Waterford) 0-3.  
The semi-finals on Saturday 11 October in Farranfore and Newcastlewest respectively - Athea 0-3 Naomh Aban 3-9, Dr Crokes (Kerry) 2-6 Cappawhite (Tipperary) 2-16.

Munster final day in Carrikeel, Mallow, Noamh Aban 3-7 Cappawhite 2-5.  the All Ireland final took the Munster champions on the long journey to Northern Ireland where they played the glen (Derry) in Maghera on Sunday November 2, and after a titantic struggle emerged winners 1-8 to 0-8.  the semi final played at home in Ballyvourney on Sunday November 23, the locals hosting Kilmovee (Mayo) and lucky to survive even on home soil 0-8 to 0-6.  All Ireland AIB Intermediate club final on Saturday December 6 in Portarlington with their opponents from across the Irish Sea in the name of Parnells (London) and Naomh Aban emerge winners 3-6 to 1-7 ensuring the Rebel county remain at the top of the club domination.

The senior club championship began on Sunday October 12 with both semi finals, southern Gaels (Kerry 3-6 donoughmore (Cork) 3-10 in Donoughmore.  Ballymacarbry (Waterford) 8-12 Kildoon Gaels (Clare) 0-9 in Cappamore.  The final played in Ardfinnan on Sunday October 19 with Donoughmore achieving 3 in a row Munster senior club titles, comfortable winners 3-13 to 0-5.

Donoughmore with home advantage in the All Ireland semi final and a repeat of last year's line up v Carnacon (Mayo) and on a very windy day with a little rain for good measure, underfoot conditions heavy, the local girls won in a low scoring game 0-7 to 0-4.  the All Ireland AIB senior club final played in Nowlan Park Kilkenny on Sunday November 30 on a bitterly cold day with the sun shining to deceive all, nevertheless Donoughmore comprehensive winner 1-22 to Schenslstown (Meath) 1-6 and Mary O'Connor of Donoughmore named player of the match.

Three club All Ireland titles to Cork for 2003, not bad eh!!!!!!!!

Feile Peil na nOg hosted by Galway the weekend of 12/13 July with Munster clubs prominent.   In Division 1 Beara (Cork) 1-5 winners over Southern Gaels (Kerry) 0-1 and in Division 2 it took extra time to separate Dromcollogher/Broadford (Limerick) and the Banner (clare) for the Limerick champions to win back to back feile titles.  Also the same weekend in the University Limerick campus, the ladies football competitions of community games was held and here Caherciveen (Kerry) defeated Beara to represent the province in Mosney and they gave it their all to bring back bronze medals.

The Post Primary competitions took another step forward in 2003 with provincial winners in all grades going on to the Al Ireland series.

In the A grade senior Colaiste Na Sceilige, Kerry lost their title to Presentation Tuam 2-10 to 4-10.

In the B grade senior Intermediate School Killorgllin Kerry were defeated by Holy Rosary Mountbellew 3-11 to 4-12 in the final.

In the C grade senior, St Joseph's, Abbeyfeale, Limerick were defeated in the Al Ireland semi-final by Malahide Dublin 1-8 to 2-8.

The Junior A title was won by St Mary's Macroom Cork defeating Presentation Tuam 3-12 to 2-3 and Briege Corkery St Mary's named player of the match.

In the B grade junior in the All Ireland semi-final Presentation Killarney Kerry were defeated 0-18 to 1-3 by St Mary's Edenderry.

In the C grade junior Mercy Waterford 4-3, Mercy Kilbeggan 1-13.  With the Munster champions losing by the minimum.

The first year blitz hosted by Ballincollig GAA club was once again a very entertaining and enjoyable day for all on Tuesday 13 May.  With over 20 schools participating and some putting into 2 teams, proceedings went smoothly with 7 pitches available.  The A winners, Beara Cork 2-9, Colaiste na Sceilige Kerry 5-6.

The B winners St Michael's Kilmihill, Clare 4-4 St Joseph's Doon Limerick 0-2.

The C winners John the Baptist Hospital Limerick 6-54 Colaiste Dun Lascaigh Cahir Tipperary 1-2.

A sincere thank you to all schools, teachers and those working directly with the schools promoting the game of ladies football.  Thanks to Dairygold for the sponsorship of the many yogurts on the day, also to Ballincollig and the staff and not forgetting our referees.

On the colleges front, University of Limerick hosted th O'Connor and Lynch Cups last march 23/24.  8 colleges competed - UL, UCD, DCU, Maynooth, Jordanstown, Trinity and St Mary's Strawberry Hill, London.  All finals were played on Sunday 24 in very fine weather.  UL won the O'Connor Shield played in Claughan defeating Maynooth.  The O'Connor Cup played in UL kept the large attendance on their feet, in a very tight game.  UCD came through winners by one point over Jordanstown.  The weekend overall was a tremendous success and credit to games officer Lynn Kelly, Chairperson Eileen Lyons and her committee.  

Girls from the province participating that weekend were Edel Reale St Marys, Limerick, Mary Ita Casey UL Limerick, Eimear Enright UL Limerick, Sadbh O'Neill St Marys Kerry, Jenny Johnston UL Kerry, Eimear O'Sullivan UL Kerry, Patrice Dennehy UL Kerry, Cliona Murphy DCU Kerry, Lucy Curtayane UCD Kerry, Fiona O'Connor DCU Kerry, Judy Buckley St Marys Cork, Eileen Lyons UL cork, Karen O Sullivan (capt) UL Cork, Valerie Mulcahy UL Cork, Mairead Kelly UL Cork, Brid Leahy (capt) UCD Cork, Mairead Liston UL Waterford, Miriam Liston UL Waterford, Linda Wall UL Waterford, Rebecca Hallahan UCD Waterford, Margaret McGrath UL Tipperary, Derbhla Breen Ul Tipperary, Mairead Crowe UL Tipperary, Rosie Carew UCD Tipperary, Louise Carroll UCD Tipperary, Niamh Keane UL Clare, Maria Keane UL Clare.


Well done to the Munster colleges committee for running the various competitions and the following are the winners:

Division 1 league UCC, Division 2 LIT, Division 3 WIT, the national fresher football championship UCC and the shield UL.  Congrats to all Munster girls on the colleges inter-provincial team, Mary O'Rourke, Deirdre Nagle, Stephanie Hallahan, Bridget Hannigan, Cliona O'Keeffe, Miriam Liston, Aoife Murphy Waterford, Mary Whyte, Fiona Crowley, Louise Murphy, Valerie Mulcahy, Fiona O'Sullivan, Elaine Cotter, jean Lucey, Deirdre O'Reilly Cork, Mairead Kelly Limerick, Jenny Johnston, Ann Marie O'Donoghue, Sinead Bunyan, Deirdre Dennehy, Dara Sugrue, Sarah O'Connor, Kerry.  Congrats to the following girls who played on the combined college's team, Valerie Mulcahy, Patrice Dennehy, Mary O'Rourke, Fiona O'Sullivan and Sarah O'Connor who captained the team that played Mayo in Charlestown last April.

Well done to Niamh Keane UL, Clare and Mary O'Rourke CIT Waterford, who were awarded Munster GAA scholarships recently and also to Ann Marie O'Sheer Kerry, Susan Power Cork, Mary Hayes Waterford who all were recipients of CIT bursaries on November 19 in the Metropole Hotel, Cork.  Well done to Keith Ricken GAA officer CIT, William Harmon ITT on their election to the national colleges body in the position of chairman and PRO respectively and to Karen Grogan, Garda College, the Munster delegate.  The recently elected Munster Colleges committee are as follows:

Chairperson:      Karen Grogan      Garda College
Secretary:      Keith Ricken       CIT
Treasurer:      Lynn Kelly       UL
PRO/Registrar:   William Harmon   ITT
                        Lynn Kelly:      The only female GAA officer in the province for colleges.

The Munster ladies football panel travelled to Mullingar on Friday night June 6 for the inter-provincial series, the cream of the province participated.

The competition began on Saturday 7 on pitch 2 in St Lomans with Leinster our opposition and the importance of this game was heavily stressed to the panel as it would set the tone of the competition for the weekend.  Munster played 4 games on Saturday with a 100% record, defeating all and competing similar to a club side.  The only down side of the weekend was the serious accidental head injury received by Sarah O'Connor Kerry who spent the Saturday night in Mullingar General Hospital but thankfully Sarah was present for the final encouraging all her team-mates.

Munster 4-3   Leinster 2-3
Munster 1-4   Connacht 0-6
Munster 6-7   Britain 0-1
Munster 2-7   Ulster 0-5

Sunday June 8 doubts over a number of players receiving treatment, alas all passed fit to play in the final.  Munster 2-11 Ulster 2-4.  Munster scored 15 goals, 32 points over the entire weekend conceding 4 goals and 19 points.  The panel as follows:

Sarah Hickey, Donna Frost, Deirdre O'Rourke, Annalisa Crotty, Julie Torpey, Mary O'Donnell, Rebecca Hallahan, Mary O'Rourke, Aoife Murphy Waterford, Jackie Murnane, Sarah O'Connor, Patrice Dennehy, Kacey O'Driscoll, Caroline Kelly, Ann Marie O'Shea, Kerry, Juliet Murphy, Valerie Mulcahy, Norita Kelly, Karen O'Sullivan, Jean Lucey, Cork, Tammy Hehir, Emma Slattery, Niamh Keane, oral Keane, Clare Edel Hanly Tipperary, Eimear Enright limerick, Mary O'Rourke 3-9, Patrice Dennehy 3-5, Jean Lucey 4-1, Valerie Mulcahy 2-6, Kacey O'Driscoll 1-6, Orla keane 1-1, Rebecca Hallahan 1-0, Edel Hanly 0-2, Mary O'Donnell and Eimear Enright 0-1 each.

A delighted Munster captain Julie Torpey accepted the cup from President Geraldine Giles on behalf of a fantastic team ably led by Michael Ryan with Peadar O'Shea and Maire Halvey in achieving the ultimate.   Munster President Dan O'Mahony congratulated and applauded all involved on the success, delighted to be present said Dan given the fact of the lull for the past 7 years, nevertheless great to increase our titles tally to 14.

Congratulations to Old Parish Waterford junior sevens champions 2003.  Dr Crokes Killarney Kerry Intermediate sevens winners 2003, despite only having 8 players due to one of the girls inured in the course of the competition.

This year Munster ran an U21 blitz competition for all counties, despite all efforts by the council only 2 participated, nevertheless it was an entertaining game with Waterford 5-23 winners over Clare 3-3 in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale.  Also the same day in Neville Park, Bank Holiday Monday, October 27, the minor inter club blitz with 3 teams, Banner Clare, Dromtariffe Cork, Southern Gaels Kerry.  The final Dromtariffe 4-8 Southern Gaels 3-9 on a beautiful sunny day.

The Under 14 All Ireland blitz once again played in Mullingar with 3 divisions, Cork winners in Division 1 and Clare winners in Division 3 well done to all.

Congratulations to our All Star winners Mary O'Rourke first, Annalisa Crotty, Mary O'Donnell Waterford, Kacey O'Driscoll, Andrea O'Donoghue, Geraldine O'Shea, Kerry, all girls were treated like queens in the City West, the weekend of the 15 November at our inaugural banquet night, and the organising committee must be highly commended for their organising of this very entertaining and colourful event.

Congrats to Rena Buckley Cork who was honoured also in the City West as Under 16 Munster player of the year.

Jackie Murnane of Kerry is Munster player of the year 2003 and a well deserved winner.  Jackie has given tremendous service to her club Ballyduff, her county and this year played a huge part in Munster inter-provincial success.  Jackie was presented with a special Waterford crystal vase in the South Court Hotel Limerick, on Thursday December 11 by Munster GAA Vice-Chairman Sean Fogarty and Michael Carr Regional manager AIB, sponsors of this glittering event.  Congrats Jackie, a popular winner and she is also the first Kerry player to receive this award.



Our President, Dan O'Mahony has been a marvellous ambassador for the province at all times following up on all activities, bit it from venues, fixtures, referees etc., ensuring that the appropriate personnel are aware of all goings on.  He has kept plugging away at the media for guaranteed coverage for all our games and definitely 2003 has seen an improvement especially with the Examiner.  Dan is a thorough gentleman, softly spoken, and in his first year of office has added his flair in a professional and rational manner to the post.

A sincere thank you to Steven Lynch and the Cork County Board for organising and ensuring that our Munster finals held in Pair cui Rinn on Monday 4 August were of the highest standard we have come to expect.

Congratulations to Cork on winning Division 2 of the national league defeating Roscommon in Cusack Park, Ennis on Sunday may 11 2-8 to 1-7 and Juliet Murphy Cork named player of the match.

Once again Munster GAA remembered us in their allocation of grant money this year.  We received €7,000 towards the cost of running the province.  It is testament to the work and co-operation of both bodies and the GAA are very much aware of all the major developments we are making in the province and their support is readily available when required.  Thanks to Munster GAA, your help and support is treasured.

A sincere thank you to all our referees who at all times have put ladies football to the op of their agenda and again I appeal to all involved in the game to five our referees the respect they deserve.  I believe the problem lies with ourselves as from attending games, it is clear the rules are the main problem with not knowing them thoroughly and also if we have a personal involvement we become blinkered.

Congrats to all counties, clubs, schools and colleges who have turned out their respective teams in a well-prepared manner.

A sincere thank you to all our officials, linespeople, umpires and all who collected at games, to all who forwarded team lists ensuring team sheets were produced for our games.  For the coming season of 2004 this should be a priority numbering panels, as time may be a factor.

Congrats to those who wed and those who had family additions.  Sincere sympathy to those bereaved.

Thank you to my fellow officers for your input and commitment during the year and to those who helped ladies football in the province, lets not forget our pitch caretakers who have always been co-operative and helpful, the year gone by was no different.

While we had many highlights during the year, my abiding memory is that of the grave tragedy that occurred on Thursday evening July 24 when a player from St Ailbes Limerick, Naomi Mulcahy was involved in a road accident that cost her, her young life.  Naomi was a talented footballer and featured on all our club teams for the past 4 years since joining and did linesperson for a number of inter-county games in the past.  
For days and weeks we felt the pain at the loss of a fine young lady who we shall never forget.  In our hour of need we were very proud of the efforts of our players, officials and supporters in what was a very difficult time.  To all who travelled long distances, those who sent mass card, letters of sympathy, text messages, emails and those who phoned, a sincere thank you.  It helped us all in the club to know you shared in our pain.

Finally there is a lot of work still to be done.  New targets and goals are there before us but I am confident that given the best united efforts of everyone, we will make Munster the most efficient in the country and beyond.

Maire Halvey
Runai