St. Brides Ladies G.F.C. was founded on 22nd of February 2006. Our club has been growing from strength to strength ever since with 2008 proving a very successful year with teams competing at U10, U12, U14 and U16 age groups at both league and championship levels together with participating in numerous blitzes and challenge matches throughout the season. The 2008 season got off to an early start back in April with the U14 team competing in the Féile Competition which they won in a replayed final in Naomh Malachi's pitch, Shelagh. They beat last year's Louth Féile representatives, Roche in an enthralling match. Great excitement reverberated around Shelagh when the final whistle blew and the girls realized they were going to represent Louth in the All-Ireland Féile Peil na nOg competition to be held in Cavan, on the 4th to the 6th of July. As the Louth representatives, the club was invited to take part in Féile Laighean in Kildare on Saturday 31st of May. Féile Laighean took place in brilliant sunshine and proved a very rewarding experience for all concerned. The Brides girls made it to the final having won three matches and went on to be narrowly beaten by the Carlow side, Tinnryland/Bennekerry in the final. The All Ireland Féile in Cavan took place on 4th to 6th of July. The girls and mentors represented their county with pride and won two out of their three matches. They were very unlucky to come against an Arklow team who eventually went on to win the competition. A brilliant weekend was had by all and great credit must be paid to the host club Crosserlough who afforded the Brides Ladies the best of Cavan hospitality. The U10's took part in many all county blitzes throughout the season and no doubt have been improving their skill levels. They were runners up in the Boylan Cup in Killanny in October. Our 12's achieved the double winning the League and Championship titles in 2008, beating St. Patrick's team in both finals. League Captain, Sarah Fagan received the league trophy from Gabrielle Clarke, to great applause from mentors and supporters present, as this was the 3rd year in a row the club had reached the league final, but had only managed to win it for the 1st time this year. Aimee McNally captained the team for the U12 championship final and also picked up the award for Player of the Match. More success came the way of our U13 team who successfully defended the Celtic Cup title which they had won last year in its inaugural year. Victories over Cooley and Roche earned the girls a place in the final which they won comfortably beating their Ardee counterparts, St. Marys. The cup was presented to team captain, Kate Wynne by County Secretary, Pat Gribben. Our U14 team had a long busy season playing in Féile Laighean, Féile na nOg, Emmyvale Blitz and County league and championship. They were runners-up in the Gloria Corrigan Memorial Blitz in Emmyvale, Co. Monaghan, on the last weekend in July, with Clare O'Rourke receiving the Player of the Tournament award. Having remained unbeaten in the U14 league, the team qualified for the final of this competition which was played on Saturday 13th of September in brilliant sunshine in Tallanstown. St. Marys were the opposition in Tallanstown. After a closely contested first half, the Brides girls pulled away from the Deesiders in the second half to capture the League title. Captain Ciara Brennan accepted the league shield on behalf of her team which was presented to her by County Chairman, Dermot Woods. This team also qualified for the U14 Championship but were beaten on the night by old rivals Roche Emmets. Our U16 team also did well this season and were unlucky not to qualify for the League Final having been beaten by Newtown Blues in the semi-final. They played the Blues in the Championship final on Saturday 8th of November and although they put up a gallant display they just couldn't manage to beat a much more mature and physical Blues side. A number of our girls have been selected to represent the county at U12 and U14 levels. All year round there was great team performances and enthusiasm shown by all the girls in both training and matches. During the year, the girls built on their skills, physical fitness, made great friendships and enjoyed being part of St. Brides Ladies G.F.C. Behind every club there is a dedicated, hard working committee and St. Brides Ladies G.F.C. can certainly boast one such committee. Irene Brennan (Chairperson), Mary McKenna (Secretary), Caroline Lynch (Vice-Chairperson), Ann Sweeney (Vice Secretary), Caroline Dunne (Treasurer), Rosemary Reilly (Registrar), Rose McGeeney (PRO), Caroline Lynch (Children's Officer) and Dolores McNally & Marie Clifford (Development Officers). Other committee members include Caroline McGee, Damien Rooney, Siobhan Byrne, Joanne Rooney, Dermot Agnew and Eamonn Sherry. The Committee would like to thank all those who contributed to our Church Gate Collection on 13th April and all who generously sponsored the girls for their sponsored walk. The club is very lucky to have a dedicated team of trainers whose expertise has in no small way contributed to our tremendous success this year. The club owes its gratitude to David Reilly, Dermot Agnew, Declan Hilliard, Eamonn Sherry, Damien Rooney and Thomas McGeough. Thanks also to Frankie Sheerin and Fra Fagan for their unending support throughout the year at every match St. Brides Ladies GFC have competed in! Colm Marry, Chairperson of St. Brides G.F.C. and Eugene Kirk, Chairman of the Juvenile Committee have given great help, support and encouragement to St. Brides Ladies G.F.C. since the foundation of the club. Thanks to our sponsors Brodigan's Daybreak and The Knockbridge Vintage Club for their generous contributions. A final word of thanks goes to the parents and supporters for their continued encouragement and support throughout the year. The club looks forward to next season when they can hopefully build on the successes of 2008. Tweet

Most Read Stories