Utmost for the LGFA
CLUB MATTERS: Action from last year’s Sligo LGFA Intermediate Championship final between Eastern Harps and Eoghan Rua at Markievicz Park. Incoming LGFA president Micheál Naughton wants participation levels to increase for LGFA clubs as well as attendances to grow for inter-county fixtures.
Footballers would play at Markievicz Park followed by a game involving the county’s Gaelic footballers or hurlers. GAA fans not normally familiar with Ladies Football or unable to attend games because of a fixtures clash would get to cheer on both county teams with equal gusto. Seeing the inter-county part of the LGFA prosper isn’t his only goal. He wants the LGFA’s grassroots – the clubs – to thrive as well.
“I want to see bigger crowds at our county finals and more people turning up to watch club games. Don’t forget that club players and people involved in clubs, the volunteers, are putting in a huge amount of effort.”
“Increased coverage is also essential. When people see how exciting the sport is, they want to get involved. This goes all the way down to getting young girls involved in Ladies Football and bringing them through the club
structure with good coaching and good competitions.” Naughton is married to Annette. They have one daughter, Erin, who turns three in July, with another child on the way.
Sport and being involved in sport is a life’s passion for the former Castleconnor Gaelic footballer who has as much ties to Donegal, his adopted county, as he has to Sligo.
STILL, he will always treasure his west Sligo roots. Growing up in Carns, Culleens he was one of 12 children.
Their parents, Edward and Breege (née Foody from Stokane), instilled in them a work ethic, positive attitude and neighbourliness that have certainly contributed to Micheál’s successful career in sport, work and life.
“I always try to look at the positives in any situation. I know that Covid has broken a lot of people’s hearts and brought a lot of tragedy to this country.”
“But, on another level, it has made people realise what is important – health, family and community. Things that you have on your own doorstep. The LGFA, at club level, has a big part to play in people’s lives.”
“We’ve seen it last year, when we did manage to run some competitions, what sport meant to so many parishes and communities.”
“The club is so important and for all of our players, when they get to wear their club jersey and compete for their locality it is always a special day.” “I know for this year we’ll have to rip up any fixtures plan that we already had but it is important that we give enough time for clubs to participate.” “We want to get our players back on pitches but we can only do that when it is deemed safe to do so. I have no doubt that we’ll get back to playing sport
SIDELINE DUTY: Micheál Naughton enjoyed LGFA inter-county success as manager of Donegal.
later this year.”
Naughton says that with Ladies Football being played all over the world, anyone with an interest in the sport who has to travel abroad will find a ‘family’ if they connect with the LGFA club in their area.
“I think through the LGFA and the GAA there is always a sense of belonging for people if they have to leave this country and live away from home.” He pointed out that Covid-19, and the lockdowns that have resulted, has created online, virtual gatherings – organisations have still been able to get work done even if it means those at these meeting are in front of screens using Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Naughton knows that not everyone will share his viewpoints. Not everyone in the LGFA will agree with his vision for the organisation.
But he is willing to listen to different opinions and if at all possible find common ground in order to make things happen.
“I would always try to get the best solution for everyone going forward, with the people involved being trusted to give their input. All decisions will be made collectively and for the good of the LGFA.”
“People ask me why I are involved in the LGFA. I just love it, it is never a chore. I remember being in Croke Park with Donegal and managing that team to an All-Ireland. Money can’t buy you that.”
“To be able to give young people an enjoyable sport, a sport that they make friends in, something to belong to, a teamwork outlook – that is something they’ll have for life.”
“Remember, no team or organisation is built around one person – it is about everybody playing a part.”
“I got involved in the LGFA for the enjoyment of the sport and I’m only trying to give back what I’ve gotten out of it.”
“We welcome everyone to the LGFA – if people want to get involved there is a place and a role for them,” he stressed.
As the Lidl advert tagline goes, there is much work to be done to level the playing field but LGFA president Micheál Naughton will be doing his level best to ensure that this happens during his tenure.
PRE-MATCH JOG: Rovers teammates Walter Figuiera and Cillian Heaney.