St. Brigid’s ladies set to celebrate milestone anniversary
The St. Brigid’s intermediate ladies’ football team that were crowned All-Ireland club champions in 2004. Back row (l-r): Sile Sammon, Fiona Gavin, Sinead Finnerty, Orla Gavin, Catherine Kilcommons (captain), Sarah Finnerty, Michelle Walshe, Grainne Cunniffe, Joanne Martin, Ciara Mannion, Grace O’Brien, Nicole Henry and Emma Beades. Front row (l-r): Áine O’Brien, Mary Beades, Claire Grehan, Claire Kelly, Michelle Carey, Aoife Clifford, Jennifer Conlon, Chrissie O’Malley, Sinead Grehan and Sarah Kelly. Also pictured is Nicole Nestor (middle front), mascot.
St. Brigid’s GAA Club is set to celebrate the 20th anniversary of one of the club’s greatest days.
The Kiltoom-based club carved out a unique slice of history in 2004 when its all-conquering ladies’ footballers defeated Tyholland of Monaghan to claim the All-Ireland intermediate club title.
St. Brigid’s will be celebrating that significant milestone on Friday, June 28th, at its clubhouse when the 2004 squad and guests are reunited to look back on that famous win. The club will be hosting a champagne reception, followed by a meal and music.
The 2022 International Rose of Tralee, Rachel Duffy, will be MC on the night. Trina Murray, president-elect of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, will also be in attendance.
For the 23-player squad who had an average age of just over 20 years old, the overall campaign was unforgettable. Their victory over the pre-match favourites from Ulster saw then 15-year-old Aine O’Brien net inside the opening minute to provide the springboard for a famous triumph. Claire Grehan produced a Player of the Match display. Grehan and O’Brien are important members of this year’s senior panel.
For Fiona Gavin, who was a part of that All-Ireland winning panel, the highlight of their road to national glory was the craic they enjoyed along the way.
“We used to train on a Sunday morning at 8 a.m., doing horrendous runs and whatever else. Because we were a small panel, we were also a tightly-knit panel. Everyone worked for each other and that helped in the big games,” she recalled.
Gavin remembered fondly that their run to All-Ireland glory was a truly unforgettable journey.
“That run we had was huge. Ladies’ football compared to now did not receive much attention. Even in the run-up to the All-Ireland final, seeing posters and banners up, and the well-wishes, it was nothing like we had ever seen.
“The local press attended one of our final training sessions, capturing us stretching, warming up and taking part in drills. The attention and exposure were a whole new thing for us. We felt like celebrities.
“The buzz around the parish was exceptional. We were kindly supplied with hot food after midweek training as many girls travelled from all around the country. This was all catered for by the wonderful ladies in the club who volunteered.
“The time we won the All-Ireland, there were bonfires everywhere and that was something we were not used to. The celebrations were massive, and it was huge for ladies’ football because we were the first club from Roscommon to win an All-Ireland,” she highlighted.
*The last bookings for the 20th anniversary of St. Brigid’s success are being taken up until Friday, June 21st. Anyone who an interest in attending the anniversary celebrations, please contact Bernie at 086 6064604.
