In 1995 Pauline McCoy after playing with Queens University had a vision for Ladies Gaelic Football in Antrim which in that time was only one of two counties where none was played. After Pauline and three college friends met with Ulster Secretary in 1996 an AGM was called and a County Board was elected. Moneyglass entered a tournament before the start of the league and encouragingly finished runners up to a combined team from Glenravel and Ballymena.
It was in 1997 when Eddie McKever became manager assisted by Aidan Marron and ladies from all corners of the Parish joined together a real air of expectancy surrounded the Ladies Side. That year the team went on to beat the reigning Champions Glenravel in the semi-final and excitement grew towards the Championship Final were in just their second season in existence St Ergnats Ladies were crowned Champions of Antrim
In those days we had 40 Ladies registered with the Club, 20 years on we have tripled in numbers with 150 registered girls playing from U6 to Senior Level and the pride, excitement and comradery of Ladies Football in St Ergnats is as strong as ever.
These Ladies went on to be powerhouses in Antrim football for the next number of years and were always close to the top; in ’98 and ’99 they won back to back Junior Championships. 2003 saw them reach the All-Ireland Semi Final where unfortunately a strong Gabrielle Rangers side from Cork knocked them out, however, this was a massive feat for such a small community club.
In 2006, the Ladies won their first Intermediate Championship; they held the Junior League Title until approximately 2010. Another Intermediate championship made its way to Marion Hill in 2011.
Underage success has been seen at various levels throughout the years: with U12 upwards competing in both league and championship fixtures. In 2012, the U14 team managed by Anita Gribben, Eddie McKeever, Ursula Madden and Peter Letters won the Ulster Feile beating 6 teams from different counties throughtout Ulster. In 2014, the same team defied the odds by beating 9 times champions and favourites St Pauls in a close battle to win the U16 Antrim Championship.
The same team went on to become the Minor Girls of 2016 and were joined by a number of new members from neighbouring Clubs including the Devlin twins, Emma Louise McAreevy and Pauline McCoys daughter Niamh McIntosh. The team now managed by Senior Ladies Cathy Carey, Laura McCann and Senior Manager Benny Marron had a late start to the season but were crowned Champions of Antrim quite effortlessly, they enjoyed a campaign through Ulster firstly beating Derry Champions Ballymaguigan. Next up was Lurgan of Cavan in a home game for Moneyglass. This was nail-biting to the end as the visitors scored a few gaols in quick succession and at the final whistle it was Moneyglass who would go on to the Ulster Final with only a kick of the ball separating the sides. The Down Champions Bredagh were unfortunately the first team to get the better of the Moneyglass girls. The team’s efforts were widely recognised throughout the Club.
The U14 team of 2017 have celebrated tremendous success throughout this year with Antrim and All Ireland Success. The team managed by Sarah McCann, Justin McErlain and Anna McCann first tasted victory when they became Antrim Feile Champions beating St Endas of Glengormley. The team along with the managers, parents and club members went on to fundraise a sum of money and had fantastic support from a number of businesses to take them fully kitted to the All-Ireland Finals in Cavan/Monaghan. The girls edged effortlessly past their first number of opponents namely Wolfetones Co Clare, Knockninney Co. Fermanagh and Westmantown of Dublin. The semi-final was their greatest test against Longfords, Carricknamond but with perseverance the team prevailed to reach the final against Steelstown of neighbouring county Derry. The girls became first time All Ireland Feile winners for the Club with a final score of 3-07 to 0.01. Many of them will be staying at U14 level next year. They then enjoyed double success over St Endas in the final of this year’s Championship when they were crowned champions of Antrim for the second time in a matter of months.
In more recent years the Senior and Reserve Ladies have been coached by Benny Marron and Aine McElroy. For the Reserve ladies we have seen young footballers breaking through from underage to challenge for places on the Senior Ladies team the Reserves have reached three Intermediate Finals in three years and have been unlucky not to claim an Intermediate title. For the Senior Ladies it has been three years, two Antrim Finals and a one point deficit which has stopped them from achieving a first Senior Championship for the Club. Perhaps with 2018 being the 70th Anniversary of St Ergnats GAC we will finally seal that deal.
The Club also boasts a great team of Mothers (who have daughters and sons playing on various teams throughout the Club) and Others (who are past players and great Club volunteers). Although this group does not actively participate in “competitive” Gaelic Football their dedication and hard work throughout the Club year has to be recognised. They actively help promote Ladies football by participating in “Ladies Days” and encourage the girls on the side lines (whether they want their mammies there or not!). They also raise funds, cook and clean for all teams and run the tuck shop throughout the footballing year.
This Saturday 30th September at 5pm we are having a reunion for all players and Club volunteers, young and old, past and present to come along to the Club and watch the team of ’97 take on the current U14 team who won the All-Ireland Feile this year in a friendly match of “experience vs youth”! Followed by a get together in the Tumbledown. Everyone is most welcome as we celebrate the success of Ladies football in our Club and Community.
As you can see Our Club is growing in numbers and due to the lack of space at our current facilities we are trying to develop a second pitch. We are having Development Draw with a top prize of £10’000 if you would like to purchase a ticket to help with the development please do so at the following link. Your support is greatly appreciated: https://www.klubfunder.com/Clubs/St_Ergnats_GAC_Moneyglass