Sponsored by Sports Direct, up to 3,000 women – GAA heads all – travelled to the Naomh Mearnóg and St Sylvester’s clubs in Dublin, for the Gaelic4Mothers&OthersNational Blitz on Saturday last.
Almost140 teams signed up for a jam-packed day of football, fun and entertainment. Members of Gaelic4Mothers&Others clubs from all over the country arrived in their local or county strip – embellished by head bands, tutus, a bit of bling and leg warmers!
Some even fittingly in wellies! There were no boundaries in the dress code as players signed up for the blitz at the Naomh Mearnóg Astroturf. Each team played five competitive games – all played in the spirit of Gaelic football. There were no winners, no knock out rounds – just great fun and all supporting the skills of Gaelic football.
Sports Direct, as sponsors of the Gaelic4Mothers&Others programme, teamed up with social media sensation Annalivia Hynds, who has been training with Armagh Harps ahead of the event.
Teams registered from 10.30am, with a fun mass-warm up circa 11.30am at the astroturf. Thereafter, games were hosted from noon across 23 pitches until the final set of games at 3.30pm.
Afterwards, all convened to the sports hall and celebrations began with a DJ and the 2FM roadcoaster on site, with popular presenter Roz Purcell bringing a flavour of the event into homes across the country!
Best craic aside from the costumes and the football, claim the ladies, were the gyrations, boogying and shimmying for a silent disco!
The LGFA was fully subscribed once again for this event, with a large number of teams on a waiting list. The Sports Direct Gaelic4Mothers&Others programme is an innovative way to introduce mothers and other women to Ladies Gaelic Football in a fun, non-competitive and social environment. The initiative has proven immensely popular since its inception, with over 500 clubs across all 32 counties currently involved.
Above sisters in law Leah and Bríd Clarke from St Kevin’s GAA Club Hollywood, Co Wicklow with family member Sharon Ward (centre) from Naomh Mearnóg’s
Leonard Brassel, MD at Sports Direct Ireland added: “We are delighted to be back for our third year of the partnership with the LGFA and the fantastic Gaelic4Mothers&Others programme. Our ambassador Annalivia Hynds brought so much energy to the programme, telling her “My Reason Why” and how it works for her. The blitz on Saturday was a fantastic finale and Sports Direct was delighted to support.”
Speaking on behalf of the LGFA, President Mícheál Naughton commented: “The Sports Direct Gaelic4Mothers&Others programme continues to go from strength to strength and we currently achieved a real milestone when the number of registered clubs exceeded 500 – it’s currently at 513 and the programme continues to enhance the lives of participants. The emphasis is very much on fun and ensuring football for players who may be returning to our sport after a period of time out, or experiencing it for the very first time.
Feature photo: Laura Hyland, centre, from St John Bosco team at the Blitz
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