Where Lady Gaels History Begins
By Peter Sweeney on Jun 29, 2009 in Ladies Football
RANELAGH Gaels ladies footballers played their first ever game in a challenge against St James Gaels at the Iveagh Grounds on Monday night.
The panel has been training for the past two months since the idea of starting up a ladies team was floated in the club, with Brian Regan taking on the role as manager.
The side will play in the Dublin leagues next year and they are preparing for their competitive debut with a number of challenges.
Playing a first game together as a team is always tough, but the Gaels – captained by Kate Sheppard – acquitted themselves well against far more experience opposition.
St James Gaels ran out relatively comfortable winners in the end, but the match, played on a beautiful summer’s evening, was close for long periods.
Treacy Hearn, playing at midfield, was Ranelagh’s main scoring threat.
Fullback Lizzie Reeves held the defence together well, wingback Sandra Whitty won a lot of possession and Thelma McLoughlin did well in the forwards in the first half and at the back after the break.
This is a historic day for the club and it is hoped that several more matches can be organised over the coming weeks.
The turnout and enthusiasm of the players at training has been encouraging and Monday’s game certainly showed that they are moving quickly in the right direction.
The men’s team, a number of whom turned out to cheer on the ladies in Crumlin, are in action on Tuesday in AFL Division 9 at Bushy Park and all support is welcome.
RANELAGH GAELS: Tracey Hearn, Sandra Whitty, Kate Kelly, Karen Grissing, Lizzie Reeves, Claire Reeves, Martina McMorrow, Thelma McLoughlin, Patricia O’Sullivan, Emer Meehan, Nicola Flannery, Síle Murray, Kate Sheppard, Louise Owens, Caoimhe Malone.
Well done lady gaels on our first match! Fair play to the lads for coming out to watch; the scribe and the paparrazo – we got the whole nine yards…. Peter I hear Fianna Fail are looking for a new spin doctor!
Caoimhe | Jun 30, 2009 @ 08:04 | Reply
Well done last night ladies, you have 4 more attempts to beat the current Men’s team record of no wins in 5 attempts. (Someone might put me straight on that).
Ronan | Jun 30, 2009 @ 10:12 | Reply
well done ladies.
ronan just to put you straight the men lost the first 4 games but we were successful on our 5th against st annes of bohernabreena
Eamon | Jun 30, 2009 @ 11:10 | Reply
Well done ladies….keep the good work up!
Alan | Jun 30, 2009 @ 11:51 | Reply
Lads, I’m well impressed by the very professional – hot off the press – match report & photos!
Louise | Jun 30, 2009 @ 14:21 | Reply
well done girls fine picture of tracey struttin her stuff ur country team taut u well….
saz | Jun 30, 2009 @ 15:13 | Reply
Well done last night ladies – the first steps are the hardest! I’m trying to organise another match for next week or the week after. I’ll let ye know as soon as I hear anything.
Thanks to the lads for coming to support also.
Brian
Brian | Jun 30, 2009 @ 16:06 | Reply
Well done ladies on your first match of many for the Gaels!!! keep up the good work!
Enda | Jun 30, 2009 @ 19:32 | Reply
Looking sharp out in that picture Tracey! All them nights in the gym over the winter are paying off.. keep it up women.
Lisa | Jun 30, 2009 @ 21:57 | Reply
Ana mhaith ar fad, mná abú!…Tá me ag súil leis an ceád cluiche eile.
Dick Morrissey | Jul 3, 2009 @ 08:43 | Reply
Passing on Brian’s message about training….
Hey,
We’ll have to reschedule training to Tuesday (7th July). There is a change of venue also – we’ll be training in Bushy Park on the pitch directly opposite Terenure College.
Sorry for the incovenience but the lads team have a league match on Monday night.
Hope to see ye there.
Brian
Conor Harnett | Jul 3, 2009 @ 09:41 | Reply
Great to see the ladies team up & running, best of luck to you all.
Darren | Jul 28, 2009 @ 10:58 | Reply