LADIES GAA | Gaels’ registration night is a resounding success as 100 juveniles sign up for new girls’ teams
Training for nursery to U18 level will commence in January 2020
A memorable night in the 91-year history of Dundalk Gaels took place on Thursday as 100 young players made their way to the Ramparts to sign up to be part of the club’s new female GAA set-up.
The Gaels have been catering for male footballers since the club was formed back in 1928 with players, aged between four and 40, currently involved at the club. A senior ladies team did make a fleeting appearance during the nineties but the club has never had an underage set-up that caters solely for girls — until now!
For two young Gaels members, Keelin Lambert and Sarah McDonnell, the registration night saw their dream become a reality. After submitting a proposal to introduce girls’ football to the club, a committee was formed in May 2019 with the task of setting up a female underage structure, under the LGFA.
The LGFA committee has been working tirelessly behind the scenes since then and plans are in place to set up a nursery, along with teams from U8 to U18 level, with training due to commence in early January 2020.
“This is a very exciting chapter in the club’s history and something that’s great to be a part of,” said Gaels LGFA coaching officer, Ciaran Culligan.
“I have some wonderful memories of my time playing for the Gaels and have met people I would regard as friends for life. Having two daughters myself, I’m delighted that they will get the same opportunities that I had as a child.
“It’s very important that we encourage the benefits of sport to both girls and boys and I’m very proud that the club has embraced the LGFA structure to cater to girls in the community.
“I would personally like to thank John Boyle, the Louth LGFA development officer, for all his help, encouragement and advice during the process. When the committee formed, the one thing we were clear on was that everything had to be done correctly within LGFA guidelines. John was instrumental in helping with the safeguarding, coaching courses and Garda-vetting procedures.
“Dundalk Gaels is a community club and over the past couple of weeks we have been coaching in St Malachy’s Infants School with the first-class students and we also hope to start a programme of coaching in St Malachy’s Girls school before Christmas. We would like to thanks to principals Ms McCarthy and Ms Galligan for welcoming us into their schools.
“A special word of thanks must also go to Louth LGFA, especially chairman Liam O’Neill and secretary Angela O’Neill for all their help during the process of forming and LGFA structure at the club and to John Fox and all the team in DEFY for their help with the kit design.”
Mandatory Credit © Ciaran Culligan
St Patrick’s star Kate Flood and Clan na Gael forward Emily Norton, two members of Louth Ladies’ All-Ireland winning panel, were present on the night to lend their support and pose for pictures with the youngsters.
“Everybody at the Gaels would like to thank Kate and Emily for being there to inspire our future stars,” said Culligan. “They have been doing that for many years for girls all over the county and It was great to have the All Ireland trophy there on Thursday night.”
Training is due to commence in January 2020. Registration, along with further information about the new ladies structure at the club, can be found by emailing dundalkgaels.louth@lgfa.ie
