Ladies Football
St. Kevins Ladies Football Yearly Review 2012
After the hard work and bitter disappointments over the past four years,
St Kevins Ladies finally got their just rewards winning the
Intermediate Championship and Senior B League in this their 20th year.
The Ladies had an uphill battle in the senior league campaign but true
to their determined spirit fought hard to finish middle of the table and
a place in the Senior B league final against St. Geraldines. Finishing
the league with silverware provided the right conditions to move into
the summer months preparing for the intermediate championship against
Naomh Martin, semi final against St. Patricks and final opponents being
Dowdallshill. Under the management of Patrick Gregory with Ann-Marie
King, enabled the Kevin’s Ladies to lift the Championship Cup – a feat
they haven’t done since 2001. With an 11 year gap since winning the
Intermediate Championship Final a number of surviving players from the
2001 squad proved to be the backbone of the present team Susan and
Geraldine Conlon, Ann-Marie King, Nicola Carter, Eleanor Smyth and Susan
Byrne. The experience of such players allowed the newer players, Claire
O’Malley, Paula Murray, Eimear Murray, Ursula Mathews, Laura Butterly,
Joanne Conlon, Deborah Hynes and Sarah Mulroy settle into their
positions. Special praise and mention should be made to the youngest
members of our panel Aoife Gregory, Alanna Dowling, Cliodhna Duffy,
Niamh Murray, Rebecca Byrne and Ciara Mathews who displayed great
teamwork and skill beyond their years.
At County level, Susan Byrne and Deborah Hynes represented St. Kevin’s
in Croke Park in the Junior All Ireland Final against Antrim. The Club
are very proud of Susan and Deborah and the rest of the County team who
had a great year at intercounty level bringing home the Leinster
Championship title but were unfortunate not to bring home silverware at
the end of September.
The Philipstown girls at underage level have been thriving for the last 3
years and while still in its infancy, progression and accolade is
evident with Aoife Gregory and Grainne Murray making their debut at U14
County level. Aoife Gregory was recognised as U14 County Player of the
Year. The underage girls are under the management of Mick Burke, Noel
Farrelly, Patrick Mathews, Jimmy Murray and Anne Dowling and it is with
this that the U12 girls brought home the League South title and
contested at U14 and U16 level. With the calibre of players such as
Donna Farrelly, Katie Mathews, Courtney Dowling, Molly Mc Nee and Laura
Mc Mullan in the juvenile ladies ranks, it is only a matter of time
before the club will reap the rewards.
Finally, St. Kevin’s Ladies committee would like to take this
opportunity to recognise and thank the Parent club, players, supporters
and mentors for their commitment and enthusiasm for Ladies football
throughout 2012 and for the year to come.
At county level the Ladies gave its supporters plenty of outings with
the ultimate show down in Croke Park in which they faced the favourites
Limerick. St Kevins Ladies were represented by their very own local girl
Susan Byrne. Susan is no stranger to Croke Park having fielded back in
1998, when Louth Ladies last won the Junior All Ireland. Susan played
during the half time display match. At a very early age Susan showed an
incredible amount talent along with the passion for the sport.
While Louth where unsuccessful in this year’s encounter where they fell
at the hands of the Limerick side, Susan gave a performance that she can
be very proud of. Susan epitomise’s what one would look for in a good
footballer, with speed, ability to read a game and good team play. Susan
has a long career at county level ahead of her and her team and club
wish her continued success.
Video report with interviews of St Kevin's Ladies Football Intermediate Football Championship win !!!
