Annie Reneghan from Haggardstown has been an ardent GAA follower all her life. Her innate passion for the national code has been handed down from one generation to the next, creating a wonderful Wee County legacy. As well as being a keen follower of gaelic games, Annie is also a warm and thoughtful lady. It was a real pleasure talking to her. When the Geraldines or Louth are in action, Annie is never far away. It doesn't matter if it's the first round of the U16 league or a Leinster SFC semi-final at Croke Park, the personable lady from Haggardstown will invariably be there to provide her support. That's the way it's always been for Annie Reneghan (nee Tuft), a wonderful Louth GAA lady who supports her own through thick and thin. Over the years, Annie has witnessed many highs and lows on and off the field, but she has never lost the faith. Her family are following proudly in her footsteps, culminating in a strong GAA connection not just in the Wee County but also now stretching into neighbouring County Meath, where Annie's daughter Ann [Burlingham] is general manager of the Simonstown Gaels club house and playing fields on the outskirts of Navan town. Annie has had a deep interest in the indigenous sporting organisation going back to her childhood. And she remembers games, incidents, events and personalities so lucidly that it's hard to believe she'll soon be an octogenarian. Her brother Jim Tuft played for Louth with great distinction in the early '50s (he was left corner back against Mayo in the 1950 All-Ireland final), and it is in Jim's memory that the Tuft Cup - an annual U14 tournament involving Louth and Meath - has been named. Her son Paul has served the Geraldines in every capacity down through the years and his son Barry Reneghan is in turn a current member of the club's first team. In the Royal County, Ann manages the Simonstown complex, where her kids play. Annie's husband is Dundalk native Ivor Burlingham, one of the most popular Gardai based in Navan. Ann's grandson, Robbie Burlingham, was goalkeeper for Meath in the 2008 Tuft Cup! "We decided that if Louth won I'd present the Cup and that if Meath won, Ann could present it," Annie quips, with a twinkle in her eye. Anyway, Meath beat Louth in the final of that competition last September. And guess who was captain for the Royal County lads on the day? One Robert Burlingham and what a moment of mixed emotions it must have been as Annie handed over the Turt Cup (named after her brother) to her grandson who was in the opposite corner to her beloved Louth. Having been an ardent Geraldines and Louth supporter all her life, how does Annie feel about the new Meath connection? "Ann is really settled in Meath and it's good to see. She has great neighbours over there and the boys are playing football. Simonstown is Colm O'Rourke's club and I'm just happy to see the family's GAA tradition continuing." As well as Ann, Annie's three sons have also inherited her love of football. Tommy, Jim and Paul Reneghan all donned the Geraldines colours with distinction. The youngest, Paul, also played for Louth for a good number of years and usually around the midfield area. In 1982, when the men from Haggardstown/Blackrock famously won the Joe Ward Cup, Paul and Jim were on the team, while Tommy was on the bench. That must have been quite a day for Annie? "It was a big occasion for all of Haggardstown. It was the one and only time we won it. We beat Kilkerley in the final. It's hard to believe it was 26 years ago. Last year, they had a special 'do' to mark the 25th anniversary of that win." Since then, the Reneghan name has remained synonymous with the Geraldines - and Annie has always done her bit for the club. For many years, she has been a familiar figure in the clubhouse, making tea and sandwiches for the players to enjoy after training. Paul served as chairman and has been instrumental in coaching a variety of teams, with his own son Barry coming through the ranks to feature on the senior team. "Tommy's son Brian Og is a good soccer player with Rock Celtic and Jim has two young sons coming through with the Pats, who are a great club," Annie continues. "Ann was a very good athlete, who ran for Louth and represented Ireland abroad, including a meeting in Lisbon. "My brother Jimmy played most of his club football with Young Irelands and he also played for Louth and Leinster. We're delighted to have the Tuft Cup named after him and we always keep a close eye on that competition. It was great to see Louth winning it a couple of years ago, with Michael Lynch's young lad as captain." Annie has attended matches at every venue in Louth and has been to Croke Park so many times she could easily write a book about the history of GAA headquarters. "Even today, I never miss a Louth game. I was in Croke Park when Jimmy got his shoulder broke in the 1953 semi-final against Kerry. I can remember going to Croke Park when the old sideline was there and watching matches from the side of the pitch. "Myself and my husband Brian, who passed away nine years ago, went up and sat in the Nally Stand every Sunday, regardless of who was playing. That was our day out. Brian was a Clans man in his youth, so we went up to Dublin either on the Clans bus or on the Louth Supporter's Club bus. There were never any rows or carry-on like you have in soccer. Everybody was always in good form coming out of Croke Park, regardless of whether their team won or lost." And there's soccer being played in Croke Park now - how does a staunch gael like Annie feel about that? "I met Jack Boothman in Navan once and I asked him about soccer being played in Croke Park. He said he'd rather see to a hundred bullocks in it. I probably wouldn't go quite that far" Which is best - the old Croke Park of a bygone era or the spectacular new one? "I love it either way. It's a marvellous place now and it's one of the best stadiums in the world, but it was always special. We've had many great days up there. I really enjoyed 1950 and '53, when Louth had great teams and nearly won All-Irelands. Strangely, the 1957 final was one of the few games I missed. I was expecting Paul at the time and they all headed off and left me on my own! "That was a terrific win and I remember the homecoming to Dundalk and the great joy all over the county. The Geraldines had Frank Lynch on that team - he was only 18 when he played in the All-Ireland final in Croke Park. And of course, the current Louth manager is also a Geraldines clubman. Eamonn brought through a great minor team in the club and they won the 2007 and 2008 MFC. At the time of going to press the Geraldine's have qualified for the Leinster minor club final, a competition ran by the Eire Og club in Carlow where they will take on Meath outfit Donaghmore-Ashbourne. Finally, where has it all gone wrong for Louth? Why have they gone half a century without success? "I don't think they have enough dedication. The players in the '50s were very committed. There was no drinking or messing about. I'd be very anti-drink myself and I've just received my Fr Cullen medal (for 60 years' abstinence). I never had the need for alcohol. I can enjoy life without it. "Haggardstown is really built up these days. It's growing all the time. St Furseys Chapel is state of the art now. 1.3m euro went into it. It's just a pity we can't get more young people to go back to mass" Knowing Annie, she'll think of a way! Tweet

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