After a year in concept and a few months of planning the big day finally arrived last Tuesday. The inaugural KCC Architectural Dublin Camogie and Ladies Football ALL STARS event took place in Kilmacud Crokes. Over many years the two Ladies Associations did their own thing often to the detriment of players who were pressed to making a choice between one or other code. A chance meeting at a club dinner between the two Chairmen changed the outlook of both. The ball was set in motion and dialogue between both county boards commenced. A harmonisation of fixtures was planned for 2009 and the concept of a joint ALL STARS for both Camogie and Ladies Football was born. And so it has come about. Two gleaming new cups have been provided, one for each code. Medals, provided by Euro Tab of Temple Bar were presented to each player. The Ladies Football and Camogie sections of Kilmacud Crokes supplied the venue for the games and aprËs-match celebrations. The weather wasn't the best on the day, but bearing in mind the nearby Leopardstown races had been called off due to fog the evening before then perhaps the rain was a better option after all. Both games were exciting with Camogie starting the event. In the Camogie game, Dublin took the lead early on with the All Star side always nipping away at the score and putting on the pressure by coming into contention on more than one occasion. The score at referee Conor Gough's final whistle was 2-11 for the Dubs against 2-6 for the All Stars. But the All Stars Louise O'Hara was awarded Player of the Match. Tony Lennon started the Football a little later when he threw the ball in at 2.30. The Football All Stars under the tutelage of Angie McNally put the regular Dubs under hassle from the off. The rain, which had been on and off during the Camogie decided to stay on and this didn't help Gerry McGill's charges either. At the break the All Stars were ahead by two goals to the Jackies 3 points. With darkness falling and the rain turning colder the second period started promptly. The All Stars had the breeze and began to edge ahead. The only serious threat to their run came from a goal by Lyndsey Davey but there was no return for the Dubs. The score board read 2-8 in favour of the All Stars to 1-5 for Dublin. Sinead Finnegan from the All Star side picked up the player of the match award. In the after dinner speeches David Skelly from sponsors KCC Architectural paid tribute to both county boards for their foresight in arranging the event. He said he was delighted to be associated with the event and wished both Camogie and Ladies Football all the best in the years ahead. Both Association's Presidents were present and in her address, Joan O'Flynn [Camogie] praised the 80 players who togged out on a cold and wet December day to provide two great games of skill. Looking around the room at the players, she said she could not identify and girl as a Camogie or a Football player, they were all players irrespective of their game and that was how it should be. Cumann Peil Gael na mBan's President, Pat Quill echoed Joan's words and thanked both County Chairmen on their initiative. The way forward he said, was through greater co-operation between the codes. He said that when he learned of the event, he had rescheduled his Christmas diary as this was a milestone in the history of Gaelic games which would be recorded in history. All the players should cherish their medals as he felt that these marked the beginning of a something new which would grow into the years ahead. Dubs All Star Panel ñ Ladies Football 2009 1. Cliona OConnor Naomh Mearnog 2. Niamh Colleran Na Fianna 3. Noelle Comyn Ballyboden St Endas 4. Aisling Farrelly Ballyboden St Endas 5. Gemma Fay Ballyboden St Endas 6. Sinead Finnegan Fingallians 7. Siobhan McGrath Thomas Davis 8. Suzanne Murray Round Towers Clondalkin 9. Elaine Kelly St Brigids 10. Sinead Ahern St Sylvesters 11. Orla Egan Na Fianna 12. Orla Colreavy Naomh Nearnog 13. Natalia Hyland Ballyboden St Endas 14. Ciara Lowry St Brigids 15. Mary Nevin Na Fianna 16. Nicci Daly Ballyboden Wanderers 17. Rachel Byrne Clanna Gael Fontenoy 18 Noelle Healy St Brigids 19 Amy Mc Guinness Fingallians 20 Denise Masterson Naomh Mearnog Mentors: Angie Mc Nally (Ballinteer St Johns), Brian O'Regan (Ballyboden St Enda's) and Bobby OSullivan (Ballyboden St Enda's) Tweet

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