Blitz in memory of Ciara
SEVEN teams of young footballers braved wet conditions in Kilanerin recently for the inaugural Ciara Ryan Memorial Blitz which was hosted by Kilanerin-Ballyfad Ladies’ Football Club for under-16 girls’ football.
Much-loved Ciara sadly passed in April last year. She was an integral part of the club and had represented the club all the way to under-16.
The evening before the blitz, Ciara’s family - her father Anto, mother Trish, brother and sister Jack and Ava, planted a camellia shrub and placed a plaque in memory of Ciara at the club grounds.
The club also held a barbecue for the visiting Ballymaguigan team from Co Derry.
The games kicked off on Sunday morning with Kilanerin; Clonmore; Arklow; Castletown; Ballygarrett; Naomh Eanna; and Ballymaguigan taking part.
The heavens opened as the games began, but the girls played on, and got great support. By the end of the group stages, Ballymaguigan and Arklow qualified for the Cup final with local rivals Kilanerin and Castletown in the shield.
In the shield, a hugely entertaining game was decided by a well worked goal by Mariah Boland in the last few minutes to win it for Kilanerin.
In the cup final, Ballymaguigan were dominant, and as hard as Arklow tried they could not cope with the passing and movement of the Northern girls.
Kilanerin-Ballyfad Ladies’ Football Club thanked everyone who helped, sponsored and supported the blitz on Sunday.