Louth ladies have cause to celebrate
ON Friday night, I headed for the O’Connell’s GFC clubrooms where the Louth Ladies Club All Star Presentation and County U16 League and All Ireland Finalist medal presentation night was taking place.
By the time I got there the place was really starting to fill up and the first people I met up with were Chairperson of the Louth Ladies Ann Meade from Drogheda who told me the night was being held to present prizes to the various All Stars and to the Louth U16 team who won the Leinster League and went all the way to the All-Ireland Final where they were unsuccessful but who have become the pride of their county for their great performances. Ann was there with Patricia Duffy from Termonfeckin who coaches the U16s along with manager Chris Doyle, John Carr and Michelle Lowth.
Next I got a quick word with P.R.O. for the Louth Ladies and delegate for Leinster and the National Council Pat Carr from Blackrock who was there with his wife Anne and daughter Rebecca who was up for an All-Star award for Division 1 in midfield and son John who helps to coach the triumphant U16s.
Pat told me the night was the culmination of an excellent year in Ladies football in County Louth and they were all expecting a fantastic night.
Next I headed over for a chat with Pauline Cosgrove who was with her daughter Sandra Boyle also from Blackrock who were there for her daughter Grainne Boyle who is a goalkeeper and told me they are hugely proud of her and were looking forward to a really great night.
After this I got a word with Noel and Nicola McCooey from Louth Village who were there to see daughter Sorcha McCooey receive an All Star award with the Juniors.
I headed over for a quick word with Anne and Rebecca Carr who were up for making a night of it with their delightful exchange student Laura Garcia from Madrid who is staying with the Carr’s until Christmas, has already enjoyed the athletics and may even have a go at football before she heads home.
Over at the next table I then got taking to Daisy Mathews from Phillipstown who daughter Kitty plays with the U16s and they were with Stephen and looking forward to a great night.
I then headed for a St. Kevin’s table and got a word with Jimmy Murray from Phillipstown who was with Niamh, Eithne, Grainne and Katie as well as Paul Murray, Susan Byrne and Eleanor Smith whom I was told had all been nominated and were looking forward to a fantastic night.
At an adjacent table I then caught up with Sean Johnston from Monasterboice representing Naomh Martin and he was with daughter Shauna who plays U18s and on the Louth Junior team and they were up for making the best of the night with Ciara Johnston, Barry Brennan, Deirdre Lynch and Noeleen Johnston all from Monasterboice who were all in great form and ready to party the night away.
Next I headed for a table where I got talking to Kilkerley Emmets manager Brian Brady who was having laugh with All Stars Sinead Woods and Claire Lennon and Brian’s daughter Caragh Brady who was going to receive her Leinster and All Ireland Runner Up medal on the night.
After this I headed over for a word with Linda McArdle from Rathbrist whose daughter Bronagh was another U16 All Star and was looking forward to her medals for the county and with the Brides her home club.
Not too far away I then got a word with Paul Carolan and Damian Matthews both form Ardee and linked with St. Marys and both whose daughters Hannah and Dyonne play with St. Marys and the U16s, so it was a very proud day for both fathers.
Next I met up with Katie Moore from Drogheda who was looking forward to getting her All-Star awards and was accompanied by her proud parents Fiona and Barry Moore.
Finally, before I departed I met up with my old friend Sandra and Thomas O’Connor form Blackrock whose daughter Abbi was part of the hugely successful U16s team and told me it was a great year for the girls.