2008 Leitrim Ladies Foorball Team - Leitrim Guardian

Leitrim Guardian Person of the Year 2008Leitrim Ladies team ❝There were many nights whenplayers asked themselves—howmuch do I really want this...J A N U A R Y 2007 seemed the sameas every other year—a new panelof players start training for theforthcoming season, all full of thesame hopes and still aware of thechallenges many months ahead.This January however was slightlydifferent— there was unfinishedbusiness for this team. Earlyseason training is difficult, coldwet nights, the type of trainingthat would ensure only the strongwilled would survive. There weremany nights when players askedthemselves —how much do I reallywant this but the answer wouldonly come later when the final ballof the season was kicked. Theearly season league games werenot promising but players had tofind their feet again, find theirdesire, new players to settle in,injuries to overcome. Like anyjourney there would be ups anddowns along the way. TheNational League was not asuccess but provided an opportunityfor players to get to knoweach other again and there weretimes when injuries left the paneldecimated but in the background,Jason, Helen and Damien werealways there encouraging.year. The fact that this yearLeitrim would play in the newIntermediate Championship andmore importantly the Mary QuinnCup provided a new incentive.Westmeath posed the first challengein late June. Not a convincingperformance but certainlyplenty of positives. Wexfordwould show exactly where theteam was at and despite a slowstart, there was plenty of evidencethat things were going in the rightdirection. The win ensured Leitrimwould now play in the semi-finaland if they won they would havethat opportunity to take the cuphome. All eyes were on the semifinal draw and Leitrim were happywith their lot—a game againstClare in nearby Cavan. Not muchto choose between the teams butin the end Leitrim’s greater desireto get to Croke Park saw themthrough.The build up to the final began togain momentum as the threeweeks passed by but because ofthe experience of last year theplayers and County Board wereable to take it in their stride. Notonly that but many lessons werelearned and changes made to theschedule —it proved invaluableexperience to have had. On thetwenty third of September thefinal journey began—departingfrom Dromod at midday and ajourney to familiar territory forsome players— DCU training pitch❞But this year was diff e rent in manyways, there was no ConnachtChampionship and so only onegoal to focus on – the All IrelandChampionship series and if thingsworked according to plan a chanceto go one step further than last2008 Leitrim Guardian 3

in Glasnevin. For many years thiswas home to all Dublin basedplayers under the watchful eye ofHelen Ward—hard work butalways good memories. A shortjourney to the hotel in Santry andan evening meal, Mass and aninspirational team meeting andthen time for bed.Sunday morning and an earlybreakfast, some time to gatherthoughts and then the short journ e yto Croke Park. Pre match routinesand finally it was time to steponto the pitch. There could be nohiding place this year—it was allor nothing. All of the hours oftraining— two and a half hoursessions, three times a week— andthat was only this year. For anumber of the players, they havegiven many years of their lives toget this opportunity and it wouldall come down to what they coulddo for sixty minutes on the pitch.The parade—all of the playerslooked focused. The Leitrimsupporters cheered with green andgold flags all around the groundwere held high. Wexford startedwith a bang and Leitrim took timeto settle and gradually everythingbegan to come together. As thegame progressed Leitrim reachedthe playing heights they hadnever achieved before. It was ajoy to watch —the skill, teamworkand commitment. As the countdownclock finally reached zerothere was an incredible cheer andCroke Park was transformed toa sea of green and gold. Thepresentation was special tearsbefore and and after a wonderfulspeech from captain Sinead. Avery special day for all Leitrimpeople.After the game there was time forthe players to meet family andfriends in Quinns—then a maddash to get to the City West Hotel.Hai r, make up and tan and suddenlyeveryone was transformed. Withboundless energy they partied thenight away. The morning after theday before is when it all sinks in…the first waking thought of the dayfor all of the players is a feelingthey will probably never forget.The phone lines are hoppingbetween Leitrim and Dublin—awelcome home party to be organisedbut first an opportunity tocome to terms with what had beenachieved. RTE interviews, radiointerviews, meeting the otherteams and then the joyous journeyhome—the longest and shortest ofjourneys, many happy songs andsuddenly Rooskey approaches. It’stime to leave the bus and walkacross the border home to Leitrimwith bonfires blazing.From that moment on its celebrationall the way—Dromod, Drumsnaand the official welcome inCarrick. Time to move on to MohillFenagh, Ballinamore and finallycaptain Sinead brings the cup toCloone. The following day it’s offto Drumshanbo, Ballinaglera,M a n o rhamilton and Dromahair andon Friday to Glenfarne, Rossinverand Kinlough. An unforgettableweek!Now a number of weeks afterwinning the All Ireland, teamcaptain Sinead Brennan reflectson the journey: ‘At the start of theyear it was probably like everyother year but still there wassomething different. There is nodoubt that even in losing lastyears final it was a very enjoyableexperience but we now knew thatwe wanted to get back to Croke Parkagain but this time we had to win.The early months were difficultbut the team spirit grew everyweek and everyone kept encouragingeach other even whenthings were not going well. Webegan to really believe in ourselvesagain and after the windown in Wexford our focus fromthen on never wavered’.As for the game itself Sinead feelsthat: ‘while in the first ten or fifteenminutes we may have felt somedoubts but once Ann Marie kickedthe first free every I had no doubtand neither did any of the rest ofthe girls. Even with Lorrainegoing off injured we still didn’thave any doubts and when Wexfordscored the goal in the secondhalf we just kept fighting andwere determined and focused andnever stopped encouraging eachother as we had done in training.It was impossible to relax duringthe game. We had worked toohard and in the dressing room athalf time everyone was sofocused. I suppose that in the finalfew minutes I could begin torealise that we were about to winan All Ireland medal. When thefinal whistle blew I ran to AnnMarie and we just couldn’t putinto words the emotion we feltafter all the years we had finallywon. It was unbelievable. I had tocompose myself for the speech butonce I stood on the steps of theHogan Stand and saw so manyfamily, friends and supporters ingreen and gold and I relaxed andjust wanted to thank every one whohad helped us on our journey’.4 Leitrim Guardian 2008

Since the day of the final Sinead(and her teammates) have beenoverwhelmed by the reaction tothe win. ‘It’s been unbelievableand amazing. The first week wasbrilliant when we visited allaround the county and especiallyfrom all the young girls and boys.Not only the welcome from all ofthe places we visited but all of theschools and hospitals and homes.Even since then we have been toso many different places andfunctions and always come awaywith a great feeling from them.I just want to say thanks to everyone,we really appreciate it. I alsowant to thank Jason, Helen andDamien for their inspiration andour physios John and Bernie. AlsoGer and Kieran and the CountyBoard for all of their work behindthe scenes and generally to everyoneinvolved in ladies footballover the years in the county for allthe time they have given and continueto do so. I hope that this winwill inspire all Leitrim teams inthe future’.On hearing the news of the awardof the Leitrim Guardian People of theYear Award to the team Sinead isagain very appreciative: ‘TheLeitrim Guardian People of the YearAward is a huge honour and hadbeen awarded to so many greatLeitrim people. We are really veryhonoured to accept this award andI would like to thank the committeemost sincerely on behalf of allof the girls’.The success of this group of girlsin 2007 has been celebrated byLeitrim people at home and allover the world. It has givenLeitrim people a bounce intheir step and a renewed senseof pride in their county. We aredelighted to recognise theachievement of the Leitrim Ladiesteam in winning the IntermediateAll Ireland Championship andto honour this team with theLeitrim Guardian People of theYear Award.Sinéad QuinnSinead is from Aughawillan and also joined the Leitrim team in 1999. A past pupil of Ballinamore PostPrimary School, Sinead attended NUI Maynooth where she completed her Arts degree. During her time there sheenjoyed some success in the Third level competitions and also spent a year in college in Wales whereshe qualified as a primary teacher. Sinead is now resident in Cavan town where she currently teaches. In additionto her considerable club success with Aughawillan, Sinead has also won a twoConnacht Junior Championship titles in addition to a National League title and has now added anAll Ireland medal to her trophy cabinet. Sinead is also a dedicated club member both atadministration and coaching of the younger players in her club.Teresa MylottA native of Cloone, Teresa has just completed her tenth successive season with the Leitrim ladiesteam—her first championship action was in the Connacht Semi Final against Roscommon.Having helped her colleagues to a National league and two Connacht titles Teresa can now boast anAll Ireland medal for her dedication. In 2000 Teresa was a member of the Connacht panel that won its third AllIreland Interprovincial title. Teresa attended secondary school in Mohill Vocational School and Marian Collegeand completed a Science and Occupational Health and Safety degree in Sligo IT where shealso enjoyed considerable success with her college team. Teresa currently works as aHealth and Safety Officer with Adston and is based in Cavan. An accomplished swimmer, Teresa alsoworked as a lifeguard for a short while in New Jersey. She also enjoys yoga and travel.Sarah McManusSarah is from Drumsna and plays her club football with Annaduff. 20 year old Sarah rejoined the panel in 2007having also previously played in 2004. She is a past pupil of Carrick Community School where she also played inthree Connacht finals for her school. She has also achieved some notable performances in athletics including anumber of Community Games finals in Mosney and an All Ireland Track and Field silver medal.Having qualified as a primary teacher from St Pats in Dublin, Sarah is currently studying for her H Dip In Irishand English in NUI Galway. Having enjoyed underage success with her club, Sarah had featured on a number ofunder age county teams and is received a club player of the year award in 2003.❝...in the final few minutes I couldbegin to realise that we were aboutto win an All Ireland medal❞➤2008 Leitrim Guardian 5

Aisling Brennan27 year old Aisling is one of the most experienced members of the team, having first played for Leitrim in 1994 and wasan ever present member until 1999 when she suffered a serious injury. She recovered and returned again for a couple ofyears but injury and study abroad again curtailed her involvement. Aisling’s passion to get back again to the top wasrewarded this year when she returned once more to the Leitrim panel and joined sisters Sinead and Lorraine in collectingAll Ireland medals. Aisling attended Marian College in Mohill and attended Sligo IT where she collected a BusinessDegree. However shortly afterwards, she attended college in the UK where she qualified as a primary school teacher.Having worked in Dublin for a couple of years she is now closer to home where she teaches in Aughavas NationalSchool.Amanda Sweeney26 year old Amanda plays with her native Manorhamilton ladies club and is one of the leading lights with herclub as they progress through the ranks. Amanda joined the Leitrim panel in 2001 while also playing football forNUI Maynooth and has been a part of the Leitrim panel since. Now also living in Maynooth, Amanda is asecondary school teacher in Rathoath, Co Meath. Her love of Irish dancing has also became a part timeprofession as she dances at least once a week all over Ireland with the Dublin based professional dancing actCeltic Rhythm. Amanda has also won Scor All Ireland titles with Glencar Manorhamilton in figure dancing.Ann Marie CoxAt 15 years of age Ann Marie Cox was one of the youngest players to play in Croke Park in 1988 when Leitrim won the Junior All Irelandtitle. She heralded her arrival on the big stage with a goal, the first of many scores she would contribute for Leitrim. Ann Marie starredat underage football and at thirteen years of age joined the Leitrim Senior team and since then has never missed a season with hercounty. Ann Marie has also represented her province and won an Interprovincial winners medal in 1997 and has also been nationallyrecognised with two replacement All Star awards in 1995 and 1998. Known all throughout the country for her unerring accuracy in frontof the posts, Ann Marie has always been been the life and soul of the county team and her passion every year has never wavered. A businessgraduate of D.C.U, Ann Marie returned to live in her native Dromod three years ago and commutes to work in the Ulster Bank BusinessCentre in Athlone having previously worked in Dundalk and Dublin. Two years married to Seamus Mallon, this Manchester Unitedfanatic, who has also enjoyed a successful soccer career in Dublin, has again this year been deservedly nominated for an All Star Award.Anna ConlanA native of Dublin, Anna’s family relocated to Dromahair four years ago and immediately became involved in thelocal ladies football club. A former Kilmacud Crokes club member Anna’s ability was recognised from an earlyage as she has played for Dublin at under 14 and under 16 level and won two Leinster championship titles. This isher third year on the panel and following completion of her leaving cert in St Clares in Manorhamilton, Anna isnow in her second year in college in Galway where she is studying Marine Biology. A talented musician, Anna haswon Scor titles in Instrumental music alongside her mother and father. Anna has also excelled in basketball andwon the under 19 All Ireland title with the Sligo All Stars two years ago.Caroline EganCaroline started her adult football career with the Annaduff club winning two senior club championships and alsostarred with very successful underage teams in her native Mohill. With the emergence of the Mohill ladies adultteam Caroline also has enjoyed considerable success both at adult level. 27 year old Caroline first joined theLeitrim panel in 1996 and was an ever present member of the panel until 2004 when she suffered a seriousinjury. In 2000 Caroline was a member of the Connacht panel that won its third All Ireland Interprovincial title.She rejoined the panel this year and commutes to training from Enniskillen where she lives and works as a claimsmanager for Quinn Direct. Caroline has many other interests outside of football and has played with Mohillbasketball club for a number of years.Louise Loughlin24 year old Louise is from Dowra and before the formation of a ladies team in Ballinaglera played for some timewith with Shannon Gaels. Louise attended Lough Allen College in Drumkeerin and third level college in BlanchardstownIT where she completed a Business degree. Employed with Emerald Star in Carrick, she now lives inBallinaglera. Louise joined the Leitrim panel in 2003, took a year out in 2004 and rejoined the panel again in2005 and has worked very hard over the past few years to become an excellent goalkeeper.A keen amateur photographer, some of her work can be found on sale in her parents shop in Dowra.Charlene TyrrellCharlene is from Mohill and rejoined the panel this year having previously played with the county team from2001 to 2004 and has also represented the county at under age grades. This year wins her first winners medalwith Leitrim having previously won Connacht runners up medals. Charlene is yet another of the team thatattended Marian College and subsequently attended Sligo IIT studying graphic design. She is currently furtheringher career path in college in Belfast studying fashion design. Like many of her team mates, Charlene has alsospent many successful years in her youth enjoying athletics.6 Leitrim Guardian 2005

Clare PlunkettClare is from Aughawillan and made her debut with the senior team this year also having played at all under agegrades for the county. Last year Clare was a part of the Ballinamore Schools team that won the ConnachtChampionship and reached the All Ireland final and won both the Player of the Match awards in the finals.Currently studying for the Leaving Cert, Clare has also many notable athletics titles including Community Gamesunder 13 gold, Indoor All Ireland and Track and Field All Ireland titles in addition to numerousConnacht titles. Uniquely, her family won two All Ireland football medals this year as her brother Noel wascaptain of the Drumreilly team that won the Feile Peil na nOg Division 6 title earlier this year.Eileen DonohueOriginally from Gortlettragh, Eileen plays her club football with Cloone and has enjoyed a long playing career todate. In 1989 Eileen first played for Leitrim and joined Ann Marie Cox on the 1991 Minor team that reached theConnacht Final. She also played from 1996 to 2000 and won National League and Connacht titles during thistime and rejoined the panel again in 2007. She has also given great service to herclub and was awarded senior club player of the year in 2002. In 2000 Eileen was part of theConnacht team that won an Interprovincial title. Married to Aidan, Eileen lives in Cloone andhas two boys, Cathal age two and Brian age four who was a mascot at this year’s final.Eimear McGladeEimear made her debut at sixteen years of age with the Leitrim Junior team in the 1998 championship againstRoscommon. A native of Arva, Eimear is a neice of the Quinn family and uniquely joins her aunt Maeve with anAll Ireland medal this year. Eimear attended secondary school in Moyne, Co Longford and graduated from DCUwith an Analytical Science degree. An all round sports person Eimear had enjoyed success at All Ireland schoolslevel in Basketball in 2005 took a year out to travel. A former captain of the Leitrim team in 2004, andnow living in Drumlish, Eimear works with Abbot Diagnostic in Longford. In addition tonumerous club titles with Aughawillan, she has represented Connacht at Interprovincial level, andreceived a Colleges All Star. She is currently featured on the TG4 Underdogs programme, where shewill this weekend travel to New York to play having survived the trials of the elimination process.Erin FarrellErin is one of three Dromahair players on this years team, and this is her second year on the panel.Erin has also come up from the ranks of underage football and played on the 2002 minor team thatreached the Connacht final. Known for her accuracy in front of the posts, Erin completed her post primaryeducation in Coola in Sligo and is currently studying Business in Sligo IT.Lorraine BrennanThe youngest of the three Brennan sisters, Lorraine showed that she would be a star of the future with somesuperb performances at under age county games. She joined the senior panel in 2003 at the age of 16 and hasplayed each year since. A versatile player, Lorraine is equally at home leading the forward line or in defencewhere she played on the team this year for the first time. A past pupil of Marian College in Mohill,Lorraine followed in the family tradition of teaching where she graduated from St Pats College in Drumcondraearlier this year and started a new job teaching in Dublin in September. Lorraine is one of a number ofyounger players on the panel that has starred at all underage grades for the county.Catherine HolohanCatherine is one of the five players in their first year on the Leitrim team and has graduated to the senior teamfollowing a contribution to all underage county teams from twelve years of age. Currently doing her Leaving Certin Ballinamore PPS, Catherine contributed in no small way to the success of her schools team last year in winningthe Connacht championship and reaching the All Ireland Final. From Drumreilly, Catherine plays for theAughawillan club and comes from a family steeped in football tradition as her father and brothers haveall played at various grades for Leitrim. Catherine also helped as a tutor at the GAA summer camps this year.❝...the success of this group of girlsin 2007 has been celebrated byLeitrim people at home andall over the world❞➤2008 Leitrim Guardian 7

Maeve QuinnIt is 25 years since Maeve first put on a Leitrim jersey and in that time she has rarely missed a season of football. Her first national recognition camewith an All Star award came in 1984 at the age of 16. She has been honoured with two other awards in 1985 and 1994 in addition to six replacementawards and once again has been nominated this year for an award. While enjoying unprecedented success with her native Aughawillan, Maeve has been apart of all of Leitrim successes since she started and played in the All Ireland Senior Final against Kerry in 1984. Maeve has also received two Interprovincialwinners medals with Connacht in 1997 and 2000. She has finished her Leitrim career with a second All Ireland medal, and the emotion of taking theMary Quinn cup home to Leitrim. After this year’s final Maeve was awarded the prestigious Irish Independent Sports star of the week and Connacht WritersPlayer of the month awards in recognition of her efforts on behalf of the team. Her sporting passion has not just been confined to gaelic football andhas also played on the Irish International Development soccer squad. Maeve attended Ballinamore PPS and graduated from DCU. Her career path hastaken her from Dublin to Kilkenny, Killeshandra and more recently to Masonite and in September she started a new career where she is now teaching inDrumeela NS. Maeve married Gerry Shanley seven years ago and has two children, Edel and Eoghan who have been mascots at the All Ireland Final.Mairead McCawleyMairead is from Ballinaglera and rejoined the panel this year having also previously played in 2005. 18 years ofage, Mairead is one of the younger members of the team and has also played on underage county teams.A former pupil of Lough Allen College in Drumkeerin, Mairead is now studying Accountancy in The NationalCollege of Ireland in the IFSC. in Dublin. One of the many players who have has success in athletics Mairead hasheld Connacht and All Ireland records.Mairead Stenson19 year old Mairead is from Eslin and plays her club football with Mohill. This is her third year with the county paneland last year was awarded county player of the year following some outstanding displays. A past pupil of MarianCollege in Mohill where she also had some success with the schools team, Mairead is currently in third level inAthlone IT. Having played at all level for county under age teams, she has now emulated her mother’s achievementin winning an All Ireland medal as Peggy (Guckian) won a title with Roscommon.Mary McKeonMary plays for the Aughawillan club but hails from the parish of Drumreilly. Mary was one of a number of players andthe captain of the under 16 team of 1999 who contested the Connacht final and later that year were part of the panelthat helped Leitrim win the Connacht Junior title and the following year captured a National League title. Mary attendedCarrigallen Secondary School and later Sligo I.T. from where she qualified with a Business Degree and now works forQuinn Glass in Cavan. In addition to a very successful club career with Aughawillan, Mary has also had a notableathletics career winning both Connacht and All Ireland titles in long distance running. A former captain of Leitrim andClub player of the year in 2004, Mary’s undoubted skill as a defender is also shared by her brother John who is the currentLeitrim men’s captain, and has now been recognised nationally with an All Star nomination for 2007.Michelle Reynolds20 year old Michelle is from Gortlettragh and this is her first year with the Leitrim senior panel having playedpreviously at all under age grades for her county. Her first appearance in a Leitrim jersey was back in 1999 whenshe took part in an under twelve half time exhibition game as Leitrim played Tyrone in the All Ireland Quarterfinal following their Connacht title success that year— a game that featured ten of the current panel players. Aformer pupil of Marian College in Mohill, Michelle is now in her second year in DCU, studying Chemical PharmaceuticalScience and has recently started playing soccer. Michelle was also one of a number of the panel membersthat participated as a tutor in the GAA sports camps around the county this year. Her goal against Clare inthe All-Ireland Semi Final has been nominated as one of the goals of the years by TG4.8 Leitrim Guardian 2005

Sinead McWeeney19 year old Sinead is from Carrick and this is her first year on the Leitrim senior panel.She plays with the St Marys club with her three sisters and all of them have represented Leitrim on county underage teams. Having completed her Leaving Cert in Carrick Community School, Sinead is now studyingEnvironmental Health in DIT She represented her school in two Connacht football finals and is aformer club player of the year and a schools sports star of the year winner.Sinead had also won three All Ireland medals in track and field in the high jump event.Sinead BrennanThis year’s captain Sinead had the honour of lifting the Mary Quinn All Ireland Intermediate championship cup to thedelight of the whole county. Sinead made her debut with Leitrim eleven years ago when she played in the connacht semifinal against Sligo at fifteen years of age and has rarely missed a game since. She has been a part of every Leitrim successsince then and collected many individual awards including County Player of the Year, Club Player of the year and Player ofthe match awards, including this years All Ireland semi final. Sinead has also been a regular member of the ConnachtInterprovincial team Following her education in Marian College in Mohill, Sinead qualified as a primary school teacher fromSt Pats in Dublin and during that time was nominated on the representative All Ireland Colleges team. Having worked inDublin for a number of years before her current post in Mullingar, Sinead is also a qualified sports massage therapist andswimming coach. She has been a wonderful ambassador for ladies football in the county since the All Ireland success andwhile previously nominated for an All Star award, is deservedly once again nominated this year.Sinead FowleySinead is from Newtown Manor and started playing football with Leckaun National School and Drumkeerin underage teams. Following her secondary school education in St Clares Comprehensive in Manorhamilton,Sinead graduated with an Arts degree from NUI Galway and a also spent a year in Queens in Belfast doing herMasters in Town Planning. Sinead plays her club football with Dromahair and joined the Leitrim panel for the firsttime in 2007 having previously played with the under 12 and under 14 county teams while all of her brothers andsisters also play with the Dromahair club. Now working with a Consulting Engineers firm in Dublin, Sineadenjoys yoga and participated in this years Dublin mini marathon.Sarah McLoughlinA native of Ballinamore, 21year Sarah plays for the Aughawillan club and her superb performance in this years final wasrecognised not only with the Player of the match award but also with the Player of the Month Award for ladies footballin September. She has won numerous individual awards and was Player of the year in 2002. Sarah played for all underagegrades for Leitrim and joined the senior panel in 2001 at the age of fifteen. Last years ConnachtChampionship title was her first medal with Leitrim and now added an All Ireland championship medal.A gifted athlete for her school and a past pupil of Balllinamore PPS, Sarah graduated from NUI Maynooth and morerecently spent two years in Strawberry Hill College in London where she qualified as a primary school teacher and nowworks in Drogheda. Sarah has also been this year been nominated for an All Star award.2008 Leitrim Guardian 9