Saturday is another milestone in Lámh Dhearg’s proud and distinguished history as they come together to celebrate 20 years of LGFA in the club. Orla Megraw an established player and member of the organising subcommittee is very excited about the anniversary celebrations as she fondly reflects.
“It’s brilliant that it’s come so far from what it was like at the start”
“We were training at Hannahstown Hall with the Seniors and U-12s together in 2005 and wearing one of the old mens kits that looked like it was from the 80’s.
“We’ve come so far now to having two senior LGFA teams- one of the few clubs in Antrim to have that, along with the juvenile teams, Gaelic for Mothers and Others.
“It’s a really great testament to all the work my Dad [Kieran Megraw] started and continued along with all the subsequent dedicated and committed coaches for sticking with us, especially over those first few years when it looked like we were never going to win a match”.
“It’s really positive to have juveniles coming through and some of the original senior players now coaching them.”
“At the start we didn’t really have that and now girls can play with their own age group the whole way up- which is great for their development and getting to know their team-mates.
“Then, from starting out at FUNdamentals the whole way up through their age groups with the coaches selflessly giving up their time, it is amazing and much appreciated.
“It gives everybody the opportunity to get some game time at their own age group and hopefully it will be very positive whenever they come out as senior players”.
Orla and members of her family came together with others to suggest the idea of an event to celebrate the occassion and is looking forward to meeting with past team-mates and coaches.
“Over the last couple of years we realised that it would be important to recognise it as most of us can’t believe it has been 20-years”
“A few of the girls that have been there from the start, My Dad, my sister Caoimhe and I had met up over the summer and thought it would be nice to plan something”.
“Obviously there have been so many different girls over the last 20-years, some that have gone onto play for Gaelic for Mothers and Others, some who’ve maybe retired and some who would have played for us before their home team had an LGFA team and they have since gone back to their own club.
“We just thought it would be a great opportunity to meet up with everybody and celebrate how far we have developed and progressed and involve the juvenile, seniors and Gaelic for Mothers and Others teams”.
“I’m really looking forward to celebrating all our achievements and then catching up with people that we haven’t seen for years and years”
“It would be great to see all of those girls who aren’t playing anymore or who have gone back to their home clubs, all of our mentors over the years and coaches- we wouldn’t see them every week anymore, it would be nice to catch up with them as well and they will be warmly welcomed.
“We’d love to encourage anybody who has been involved with LGFA in the club at any age to come up and have a good chat about all the memories and enjoy the craic”.
Saturday promises to be an eventful day to mark the 20th anniversary with a busy programme of activities.
Programme
3pm Under 7/8 Blitz
4.45 Group photo
5.30 Buffet
6.00 Bingo for children and adults
6.30 Question & Answer session with some of the key former and current personalities of LGFA in the club
8pm Craic agus Ceol
No doubt many will attend the celebrations. It clearly bodes well for a healthy future of LGFA in the club and a credit to all concerned in its 20 years existence.
