In 2004, Gráinne Mhaols LFGA negotiated a number of three-year sponsorships with the following West Connemara based businesses; Sweeney Oil (Main Sponsor, Adult Teams), Peter Keane Ariel Services (Under16s), Broderick’s Electrical (Under 14) and John Wallace Travel (Under 12). The arrangements re same were put in place at the latter end of the previous season.
“I am writing to you to see if you would have any interest in setting up a sponsorship deal with Grainne Mhaols LGFA, which I represent as Chairperson. The club was set up in 2001 for the enhacement and promotion of girls and women in the West Connemara region and to provide equal status and recognition for female footballers within the region. From the start, we went for a strong West Connemara identity and our greatest achievement to date is the mixing of all the entire region as they represent their newly adopted club throughout the rest of the county. Our catchment area stretches from Leenane in the north to in the south and taking in Renvyle, Letterfrack, Clifden and Ballyconneely in between. Home matches are divided equally between Carna, Clifden and Renvyle with the training being rotated throughout the region. We started off initially with an U12 team and have since expanded into U14; U16 and Adult Junior B. Every year since our inception we have reached a county final playoff despite playing in the A grade in all our underage levels. Whilst we have not achieved an underage county title yet, we feel we are getting there and the gap between us and the larger, more established clubs is slowly closing. The adult team won the double last year and have noe moved up to Junior A level where they should more than hold their own. The success of the club is an inspiration within the local area and the sense of comradeship and pride in the club throughout the region is immense.Some of the girls have also been selected to play on various county teams which is a huge achievement.
When we set up, we were determined to be self-reliant- no sponsors for as long as we could manage and so the youngsters went bag packing and we organized pub collections, sponsored walks a race night etc. We have just managed to keep our heads above water for the past two seasons but are finding it increasingly hard, not least because of the huge transport costs involved in running teams in such a large area and so far away from the traditional ladies football teams in North-East Galway. We are therefore looking for a sponsor for each of the underage teams to help offset these costs and to allow us to develop the infrastructure of the club and to purchase the necessary equipment therein. I would be grateful if you would consider adopting our U14 team as the Broderick’s team over the next three years and in exchange for your agreed financial sum, we would put your name on our team jerseys and widely acknowledge your imput throughout our club catchment area by every means possible. We are keen to secure sponsorship with businesses that work throughout Connemara and who aren’t too identifiable with one particular area. Your business fits the bill perfectly in this regard. If you think that this would be of interest to you or if you need any further information, please do not hesitate to give me a ring”
The sponsors couldn’t have picked a better time to come on board as Mná an Iarthaír went on to enjoy a year of unprecedented success. They captured the inaugural West Galway Senior League in May and the following month they destroyed Killannin by 6-10 to 2-4 in the West Galway Senior Championship final.
Glynsk and Corofin B were put to the sword in the quarter and semi finals respectively of the County Junior A Championship to set up a repeat of the 2002 County Junior B Championship final. It was a tight and tense affair, but Gráinne Mhaols prevailed by 1-10 to 1-5 to book their ticket into the Connacht Junior Championship. Their first port of call was Cloone for a semi final showdown with Leitrim champions, Bornacoola. It took the Galway champions a long time to settle in their first ever provincial semi-final but once the first score was registered after twenty minutes, Gráinne Mhaols never looked back and eventually ran out easy winners on a scoreline of 6-7 to 1-2.
Gráinne Mhaols 4-5 Geevagh 2-9 The Sweeney Oil sponsored Gráinne Mhaols were crowned Connacht Junior Champions in Coola last Sunday when they edged out Sligo title holders Geevagh in a thrilling final. The foundation for victory was laid in a superb first half performance culminating in a commanding seven point least at the interval on a scoreline of 3-3 to 0-5.The West Connemara girls maintained their momentum throughout the third quarter and with fifteen minutes remaining they had extended their lead to nine points. At 4-4 to 0-7 there appeared to be no way back for the Sligo girls but inspired by the outstanding Stephanie O’ Reilly, they staged a remarkable recovery to almost snatch an unlikely victory.
Inspirational saves from Debbie Ruddy and heroic defending in the full back line were the highlights of those final few nail-biting minutes and when Mayo referee Declan Corcoran eventually blew the final whistle, the overwhelming emotion in the Galway camp was one of massive relief. There were joyous scenes afterwards as the huge travelling support engulfed their heroines who had just emulated Dunmore’s achievement of last year and have now been presented with a wonderful opportunity to become the first ever Galway club to win an All Ireland Junior Club title. Connacht Council President Benny Fahy, presented the Cup to Gráinne Mhoals Captain Geraldine McTavish with All Star midfielder Lisa Coohill receiving the Player of the Match Award. Gráinne Mhaols will play Kerry and Munster Champions Abbeydorney in the All Ireland Semi-Final on November 7th, a match that will be covered live by Connemara Community Radio. Gráinne Mhaols: D Ruddy, M Coyne, T Flaherty, T Staunton, M Joyce, G McTavish (Captain), L Birchmore, K Young, L Coohill (0-1), L McDonagh (1-0), M. Coyne (0-2), F Hannigan-Dunkley, D Lydon (1-0) B McDonagh (0-1), M Cloherty (1-2). Sub: M A McDonagh for M Joyce.
Written by Paul Gannon
Connacht Tribune
October 27th 2004
Abbeydorney 3-9 Gráinne Mhaols 4-3 Kerry and Munster champions Abbeydorney, inspired by Kerry senior forward Noreen Fealy, produced an amazing comeback in the final quarter to wipe out a seven-point deficit and grab an injury-time winning goal, thus denying Galway champions Gráinne Mhaols in this All-Ireland Junior club semi-final at Lerrig on Sunday. It was a real fighting performance by Abbeydorney who had their backs to the wall in that third quarter but Fealy was always a handful for the Galway side and she had a superb game. However, it was really a team performance from Abbeydorney that saw them snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and the home crowd just loved it. The Abbeydorney defence was breached too easily in the third quarter but Breda Slattery and Helen McKenna were outstanding in the full-back line and they defended tenaciously throughout. Catherine Sexton was solid at centre-back but the concession of four goals, two of which were very soft, will worry trainer James Fealy for the All-Ireland Final. Edel O’Connell was slow out of the blocks but she really became a major force in the second half and along with her partner Denise Shanahan, they provided a platform for a home win.
The Abbeydorney attack revolved around the precocious Noreen Fealy who lined out on the edge of the square but she ranged all over the pitch and tormented a series of opponents who just could not curb the lightning speed of the eighteen year old Kerry star. Sinead Bunyan and Michelle Leen also made major contributions but each player gave their all for the cause and in fact Abbeydorney, in most of their games along the way, have had to come from behind with their win over Inch being another nerve-wrecking contest. Gráinne Mhaols were a very physical side and were handicapped by the fact that their injured All-Star, Lisa Coohill could not start and when she came on, she was clearly struggling but maybe it was the break Abbeydorney needed. In fact, Abbeydorney have an option themselves of strengthening their side for the final as three players from Ballyduff are eligible to play with Abbeydorney because they do not have a senior side. Kerry seniors Jackie Murnane, Shari Delaney and Katie Kennelly are all legal to line out with Abbeydorney and were for the semi-final but Abbeydorney must have decided to stick with the side that brought them this far. But then it begs the question, should one field the strongest side possible in search of an All-Ireland title since it’s difficult to reach this stage but maybe it can be won with last Sunday’s side.
The sides were level at 1-2 apiece after a very tough and physical first half with Brid McDonagh getting the visitors’ goal in the 25th minute only for Sinead Bunyan to level for Abbeydorney on the stroke of half time after the ball came back off the cross bar. Gráinne Mhaols took advantage of some sloppy defending in the third quarter to score three goals but in fact it was Noreen Fealy with two points that had Abbeydorney 1-4 to 1-3 in front by the 40th minute. Fionnuala Hannigan scored the first goal for the visitors in the 42nd minute and within a minute a high lob from the same player was deflected into her own net by an Abbeydorney defender to rock the home side. Worse was to follow for the Kerry side in the 45th minute when Danielle Lydon finished a ball that came off the crossbar to the net and suddenly the visitors had moved 4-3 to 1-5 clear with just a quarter left. In fact, the visitors just could not manage a score for the remainder of the game as Abbeydorney launched a tremendous fight back.
Abbeydorney, with their defence outstanding and Fealy continuing to punish the visitors with some fine points, were granted a lifeline when Fealy’s shot was spilled by the keeper and Michelle Leen finished to the net in the 54th minute. Fealy added two points before Leen and then Fealy levelled in the 60th minute and a draw looked on the cards. Then, deep in added time Fealy once again collected a long Deirdre O’Mahony free and with the defence converging on the Kerry dangerwoman, she cleverly found Emir McElligott in splendid isolation and she rifled the ball to the Galway net and Abbeydorney had pulled off a most unlikely win and will now play Inniskeen from Monaghan in the final. Abbeydorney: N Fealy 0-6 (0-3 frees), S Bunyan and M Leen 1-1 each, E McElligott 1-0, D Sexton 0-1. Gráinne Mhaols: F Hannigan 2-1, B McDonagh and D Lydon 1-0 each, M Cloherty and M Coyne 0-1 each. Abbeydorney: M Roche, B Slattery, H McMahon, C O’Connor, D O’Mahoney, C Sexton, C Concannon, E O’Connell, D Shanahan, L O’Mahony, N Fealy, M Leen, S Bunyan, E McElligott, L Brick Gráinne Mhaols: D Ruddy, M Coyne, T Flaherty, T Staunton, M Joyce, G McTavish, L Birchmore, K Young, M McDonagh, L McDonagh, M Coyne, F Hannigan, M Cloherty, B McDonagh, D Lydon Subs: L Coohill for B McDonagh, P Ramsbottom for M Cloherty Referee: J Flood (Wexford).
Anon
The Kerryman
November 10th 2004
Abbeydorney 3-9 Gráinne Mhaols 4-3 The first half was fiercely contested with scores hard to come by. Gráinne Mhaols hit four or five bad wides and Abbeydorney rattled the woodwork twice. Eight minutes before half time Danielle Lydon scored a good goal after being put through by Fionnuala Hannigan. Gráinne Mhaols now appeared to be in the ascendancy but Abbeydorney were to come back strongly to level it with a deserved goal on the stroke of half time to make it 1-2 apiece. Into the second half and Abbeydorney resumed immediately with two points but Gráinne Mhaols were to have a great five minutes in the third quarter with three goals courtesy of Fionnuala Hannigan, Mairéad Coyne and Danielle Lydon and with fifteen minutes to go the scoreboard looked good for Gráinne Mhaols as they led by 4-3 to 1-4.
Abbeydorney looked dead and buried but for the second time in the match adversity brought out the best in the Munster champions and they fought back tenaciously going on to score 2-5 without reply throughout the remainder of the match. Gráinne Mhaols defended with great courage and tenacity but wave after wave of Kerry attacks eventually yielded reward. Four minutes into injury time, Abbeydorney drew level and there was a general expectation among supporters on both sides that the game would go into extra time but referee James Flood from Wexford allowed play to continue for another two minutes and during this time Abbeydorney struck a decisive third goal to grab victory from the jaws of defeat. It was a comeback of epic proportions.
Gráinne Mhaols management, players and supporters alike were devastated at the end of the match. It appeared they were going to hold on and become the first ever Galway club to reach an All Ireland Junior Club final but ultimately fate was to decree otherwise and they were left to ruefully reflect on their inability to defend what appeared to be a winning lead at one stage. This defeat is a learning curve that Gráinne Mhaols will surely benefit from in years to come as they continue their journey towards the upper echelons of Galway football.
Colin Homburger.
Connemara Live
November 19th 2004.
Gráinne Mhaols 4-7 Milltown 2-6 The Sweeney Oil sponsored Gráinne Mhaols Juniors put the heartbreak of Abbeydorney behind them on their way to capturing the Senior League Division 3 title on December 12th. This win secured the club an historic Junior A double over their arch rivals Milltown. When the side met in the Junior A Championship final in October the West Connemara girls managed to win a tense scrappy affair by 1-10 to 1-5, in atrocious conditions in Caherlistrane. The League final in contrast however was a free flowing, open affair punctuated by many fine passage of play on both sides. Milltown, who had already secured promotion to Division 2 for next year by reaching the final had nothing to lose and everything to gain. All the pressure was on the Connaught Champions and it showed at times as Milltown threatened to overwhelm them. However, Gráinne Mhaols’ national odyssey in this year’s Junior Championship was probably their saving grace in the final analysis. They never panicked in the face of adversity, displayed great resourcefulness when required, punished any naivety on Milltown’s part and significantly and crucially put in a tremendous final quarter to kill off the game late on, unlike in Kerry where they conceded 2-05 and failed to score in the final fifteen minutes.
Milltown contributed hugely to this very entertaining match. They were unlucky to find themselves 2-5 to 0-5 in arrears at half time but ran the westerners ragged during the third quarter scoring two excellent goals of their own in the process. The winning of the match now appear to be well within their capability but they flattered to deceive. Gráinne Mhaols greater fitness and experience kept them in it with their inspirational captain, Geraldine McTavish, driving her charges on and leading by example. Her midfield partner Mairéad Coyne hardly gave All Star nominee Aoibheann Daly a kick of the ball in the first half but the second half was a different affair with the Galway All Ireland senior medallist having a major influence on proceedings. She got great support from centre half back Marion Hernon, midfield partner Michelle Hyland and dynamic centre forward Clare Hehir who was a real contender for player of the match. This central diamond of players held the key to a Milltown victory and they may well have pulled it off were it not for a superb Debbie Ruddy save midway through the second half and the X factor.
The X factor could possibly be described as the phenomenon that one cannot plan or legislate for and in this match it was manifested in the performances of two of Gráinne Mhaols favourite daughters, namely Becky Heanue and Mary Anna McDonagh. The former, an outstanding goalkeeper in her own right was asked to line out at corner forward in place of Danielle Lydon who took ill on route to Clonbur. She duly obliged and went on to put in a superlative performance, particularly in the first half during which she scored a brilliant goal following a fantastic cross field pass from Máire Cloherty who had opened the scoring earlier for Gráinne Mhaols with a wonderful opportunist point. Mary Anna McDonagh started at midfield, struggled early on and was subsequently switched to centre half forward and full forward with devastating effect. Approaching half time, she blasted a fourteen yards free to the roof the Milltown net and then repeated the dose three minutes from time to finally kill off the northerners brave challenge. This is the first time that this writer has ever witnessed a player score two goals directly from frees in a football match. It was indeed a privilege to bear witness to this kind of courage, belief and audacity in a player so young and under so much pressure. In between these two audacious scores she also scored a superb individualistic goal immediately after Milltown’s second goal and her personal final tally of 3-4 was probably the crucial difference between the sides at the final whistle.
There were many other solid performances on the day not least from the likes of Siobhan Conneely, Lucy Lydon, Pamela Ramsbottom, Ann O’Neill and Ciara Conneely all of whom trained hard in the aftermath of Kerry, despite being overlooked in the selection stakes. They brought a physicality and maturity to the Gráinne Mhaols play which was lacking in the All-Ireland semi-final. Lisa Coohill was unable to play because of a cruciate ligament injury but her team mates displayed a steely resolve in her absence. This was ultimately enough to see them prevail and thereby round off a memorable year in the best way possible.
Written by Paul Gannon
Connemara View
January 2005
Corofin captured the County Minor A title in Clonbur on December 5th but it was only in the final few minute that they could be considered to be on cruise control. Backboned by a host of County stars including a number of All Ireland Senior Medallists and having a huge advantage in terms of age and experience they were expected to romp home particularly after demolishing St. Brendans by 6-7 to 1-9 in the semi-final. Gráinne Mhaols hadn’t read the script however. There 9-9 to 0-7 semi-final demolition of Killannin went largely unnoticed east of the Corrib as it was generally perceived that they had been fortunate to get the easier side of the draw.
Their performance on the day however proved that they were well worthy of a final place and had they converted two glorious goal chances in the second half the outcome could have been so different. They tore into their opponents with great ferocity and hunger in a passionate and totally committed wind arrested first half performance. Two early points from Mary Anna McDonagh and Mairéad Coyne constituted the perfect start but Corofin’s short game against the wind characterised by excellent off the ball movement and unselfish passing was causing the Gráinne Mhaols rearguard a lot of problems and when Deirdre Heaverin goaled on 12 minutes it was well deserved.
The West Connemara girls rallied well however. Lisa McDonagh and Mary Anna McDonagh were putting in a good shift at midfield and Captain Tara Staunton, Tara Flaherty and Michelle Joyce were leading by example at the back. Gráinne Mhaols regained the initiative and further points from Danielle Lydon, Mary Anna McDonagh and Mairéad Coyne edged them into a two point interval lead on a scoreline of 0-6 to 1-1. They should have being much further ahead but poor finishing in front of goal let them down badly. These misses were to prove very costly and it was Corofin’s greater class in this regard which was ultimately the main difference between the sides.
One sensed that a two point interval lead would never be enough but in fairness to Gráinne Mhaols they continued to take the game to the northerners during the third quarter. It was during this period of dominance that the goal opportunities presented themselves. Despite the Trojan work of Fionnuala Hannigan-Dunkley, Katie Coohil and Bríd McDonagh up front a solitary second half point was all they could register and this was scant reward for all their honest endeavour and promising approach work. Gradually Corofin came into the ascendancy especially at midfield where Sarah Cosgrave was immaculate in a towering second half performance. She was ably assisted by her strong and industrious Captain Michelle Glynn. With tem minutes remaining Corofin had regained the lead and a scoreline of 1-6 to 0-7 and unlike Gráinne Mhaols in the first half they subsequently made their territorial dominance count on the scoreboard with six unanswered points from play in an unstoppable final flourish. Aine Soeighe, Una Carroll and Deirdre Heaverin did the damage late on, propelling their excellent side to a comfortable victory in the end. Gráinne Mhaols were left to lick their wounds after their sixth county final defeat in three years at underage level but with only one of their starting fifteen over age next year they should be in the shake-up again.
Written by Paul Gannon
Connemara View
January 2005
Gráinne Mhaols 6-6 St Brendans 3-7 They came in search of paradise and found their bounty in Pearse Stadium, their theatre of dreams. December 8th 2004 will go down as one of the greatest days in the short history of CPB Ghráinne Mhaoil. The club’s stubborn policy of playing all its underage teams at A level was finally vindicated in some style in a pulsating and highly entertaining County Under-16 A Championship Final played in idyllic weather conditions on a perfect playing surface and marshalled superbly by referee Gerry Guinan.
To say that St Brendans had become the bane of Gráinne Mhaols championship and league ambitions over the last three years would be the understatement of the year. In August 2001, they beat Gráinne Mhaols by 4-11 to 1-0 in the County U-12 A Championship final and in 2002 they hammered the westerners by 3-14 to 1-2 and 10-19 to 0-0 in the County U-14A and Under 18A finals respectively. Last year the West Connemara girls got within seven or eight points of their illustrious opponents and a 2-18 to 4-7 defeat in this year’s U16A league match in Renmore suggested that a major breakthrough might be on the cards before too long. Hopes were high going into this year’s league final on November 20th and when Danielle Lydon’s long range point midway through the second edged Gráinne Mhaols into the lead for the first time they seemed to be on course for victory. However, it wasn’t to be and inspired by All Ireland senior medallist Michelle Delaney, the Ballygar/Newbridge girls put in a tremendous final quarter to retain their title on a 2-8 to 2-6 scoreline.
The aristocrats of Galway Ladies Football may well have been guilty of some complacency in the subsequent lead up to the ensuing championship final. They would also have been unaware of the return of Michelle Joyce and Katie Coohill who were unavailable for the league final two and a half weeks earlier. What transpired in the opening period of this match was unprecedented and totally unexpected. Three and a half years of hard work on various West Connemara training grounds finally yielded a rich harvest in the form of a first half blitzkrieg of a bewildered St Brendans outfit who were simply overwhelmed by the sheer intensity, will and desire of the challengers. When intensity and desire are complimented by high skill levels, intelligent movement, understanding and cohesion, and with a little bit of telepathy thrown in for good measure, then all the ingredients are there for the realisation of potential and the attainment of success. Gráinne Mhaols led by 6-3 to 1-2 at the interval having played their finest half hour of football ever. St Brendans were beaten in every position all over the pitch but especially in midfield where Maireád Coyne and Kim Young were inspired. Their superiority ensured a steady supply of ball to a lively and inventive attack who on the occasion managed to translate territorial supremacy into an avalanche of goals.
Katie Coohill who lead the line superbly at centre half forward grabbed two inside the first ten minutes but the pick of the bunch came from Leigh Birchmore who was giving the normally domineering Doireann Gilmore a torrid time at full back. A superb pass from Kim Young picked out the clever diagonal run of corner forward Danielle Lydon and her subsequent instant handpass release to Leigh Birchmore allowed the full forward plenty of time to execute a clinical finish into the roof of the net. St Brendans rallied briefly with a well taken goal by Laura Shaugnessy but Gráinne Mhaols had a relentless momentum about them and they regained the initiative with goals from Danielle Lydon (2) and Fionnuala Hannigan-Dunkley, both of whom were running riot down the left hand side of the Gráinne Mhaols attack. Points from Mairéad Coyne, Katie Coohill and Danielle Lydon extended Gráinne Mhaols lead to a whopping sixteen points by half time.
The match was effectively over as a contest but the defending champions improved immeasurably in the second half in a bid to restore some pride. Michelle Delaney who was very subdued in the first half was switched to full forward where she secured a lot of possession and distributed well. Captain Niamh Lohan and midfield partner Angela Coleman won their fair share of ball but the real jewel in the St Brendan’s crown was centre full forward Michelle Doyle whose tireless running, superb distribution and clinical finishing restored a lot of pride to the famous red and green jersey. This girl is a real class act and her two late strikes from acute angles had star quality written all over them. With ten minutes remaining Gráinne Mhaols lead had been cut to seven points but is should never have come to that because Gráinne Mhaols created several scoring opportunities of their own during the second half only to spurn the majority of them with careless finishing. These missed chances allowed St Brendans a glimmer of hope. They piled on the pressure late on but the redeployment of Leigh Birchmore as a seventh defender at centre half back with Tara Flaherty assuming a sweeper role behind the full back line rendered it impossible for St Brendans to grab the three further goals required for victory. Gráinne Mhaols sole Galway Under-16 representative Tar Flaherty (who played through the pain barrier with a heavily bandaged right leg) was superb in those final exchanges along with goalkeeper Becky Heanue who will surely wear the county jersey one day. When Gerry Guinan eventually blew his final whistle the search for the holy grail had finally ended as the West Connemara club finally captured a county underage title at the very highest level.
In her victory speech afterwards, Gráinne Mhaols Captain Máire Coyne who restricted Michelle Delaney to 0-2 paid tribute to the perseverance of both management and players. She also thanked the Galway Ladies Football Board of which referee Gerry Guinan is an officer, and last but not least, she also paid tribute to a great St Brendans team who fought the good fight but came off second best on this occasion. They will be back with a vengeance next year but with twelve of their starting fifteen young enough again in 2005 Gráinne Mhaols will be very optimistic about retaining their title.
Written by Paul Gannon
Connemara View
January 2005
There was a record attendance at the Gráinne Mhaols Annual General Meeting in Cashel Community Centre on Monday night last. The mood was relaxed, positive and happy as the club reflected on a highly successful year on the playing fields. There was heartbreak in Kerry, disappointment in the County Minor A championship final against Corofin and another near miss in the West Galway Junior Championship final against neighbouring club Na Piarsaigh, but these setbacks were more than compensated for with a large trophy haul from a variety of other competitions. Gráinne Mhaols won the West Galway Senior League and Championship double, a County and Connacht Junior A Championship double, the County Senior League Division 3 title and at underage level, an historic first ever U-16A championship title.
Chairperson Mary Young thanked everybody who has contributed to making this an exciting, forward looking time for the club while also acknowledging the need to establish a better spread of resources, particularly in coaching and fundraising. She stated that the top priority needed to be given to U12 and U-14 in 2005 in order to secure the long term future of ladies football in West Connemara. Treasurer, Lyn Heanue presented the members with a very detailed Financial Report. She extended a special word of gratitude to the club’s sponsors, Sweeney Oil (Main Sponsor), Peter Keane Aerial Services, Broderick’s Electrical, and John Wallace Bushire. She also thanked all the people who made generous financial donations to help alleviate the cost of the trip to Kerry for the all Ireland Junior semi-final against Munster and eventual All Ireland Champions Abbeydorney. In her presidential address, Mary Canning acknowledged the positive atmosphere at the meeting. She also lauded the ethos of the club and noted that the players seemed to genuinely love playing Gaelic football. She added that the vital ingredients outlined above are the key to a happy and successful club and wished everyone well for the year ahead.
A special word of congratulations was extended to all the club’s county players in 2004. Brenda Mulkerrins and Lily Joyce won Connacht Championship winners medals with the Galway U-12s. Chloe O’Malley played in the exhibition game for Galway in Croke Park on All Ireland final day. Kimberly Young was a member of the Galway U-14 team that won the Connacht Blitz. Tara Flaherty won a Connacht Championship winners medal with the Galway U-16s. Lisa and Mary Anna McDonnagh won Connacht Championship winners medals with the Galway Minors. Club captain Geraldine McTavish was a key member of the Galway Junior team and double All-Star winner Lisa Coohill created history by becoming the first ever Gráinne Mhaols player to win an All Ireland Senior Inter-County medal.
The Election of Officers followed:
The election of Management Teams followed:
Written by Paul Gannon
Connemara View
February 8, 2005
