300 U10 girls compete in St Loman's Leinster blitz

Ted Cronin, chairperson of St Loman’s Ladies Football, and his team of volunteers coaches, referees and others had put a huge amount of work into preparing for the Leinster U10 Blitz on Saturday, and they were delighted that 13 clubs and 24 teams had accepted invitations to take part.

That meant close to 300 U10 girls enjoyed a day of football and competition at the St Loman’s Mullingar grounds, on a day that ran smoothly and when conditions remained dry and bright, till a heavy shower fell just as the last games were being played.

Ted said that this was the fourth year of the Leinster U10 Girls Blitz. It began with 16 teams participating; it didn’t take place during the Covid-19 pandemic but it’s back now and as Mr Cronin said “our only constraint now is space – hopefully when our new pitch is finished below, we’ll expand it a little bit further”.

“The great thing for the girls is that they’re playing teams they wouldn't normally play, and by and large, that’s what we guarantee clubs coming here – they’re experiencing playing teams they would not play otherwise.”

The Westmeath Examiner spoke to the coaches for the visiting clubs to get their take on the day.

Gary Penrose, coach for the U10 girls at the hosts St Loman's, said: “It’s a great day for the club, a nice showpiece in the calendar. We’re delighted to have so many players here, we have two teams ourselves, and we’re hoping the girls will show the skills they’ve been learning all year, but most of all, that they smile and enjoy themselves.”

The other local club taking part were Mullingar Shamrock, and their U10s coach Sophie Hegarty said: “We’ve been coming to this blitz for the last few years. It’s a brilliant day out for the girls, it’s loads of fun, loads of football and it’s great to play other teams from other counties. It’s a great day of football.”

Joe Phelan of Portlaoise GAA Club said: “We thought this was a great opportunity to get the girls out playing. We have a good number of girls here, so it’s great to get them mixing with other counties and to see what’s going on elsewhere.”

The lead coach of Newbridge Sarsfields U10 girls, Adrian O’Donnell, had heard from their club team who attended last year “what a fantastic day out it is” and they “were thrilled to be invited” and looking forward to their matches.

Paula Kirrane said: “We’re all really excited to be here from St Sylvester’s in Malahide. We have two teams and 21 super players and we’re going to go out and have some fun today!”

Coach Ian Walsh has been “coaching the 2013 girls for five or six years now”, and they made the trip from Swords, Fingallians. "I’d like to thank Loman’s for inviting us to what looks like a super blitz. It’s a lovely day and we’re going to have a great time.”

Conor McMullen is head mentor with Foxrock Cabinteely U10s. He said: “We’re delighted to be here today, it’s the start of our season. We have a successful senior ladies team, we had two players on the Dublin senior squad in the All-Ireland two weeks ago, and we’re hoping that some of these girls will match them in years to come.”

Speaking on behalf of Edenderry, Mark Evans said: “It’s great to be invited over here today. It’s a great opportunity for the girls to play against other teams in Leinster.”

The Ballymore U10 girls from Longford (near Granard) have been coming to St Loman’s for the last three years. “It’s lovely to be welcomed back again,” said Deirdre Monaghan, the coach, who was assisted on the day by Kieran Fahey, Marie Martin and Mary Kiernan.

Speaking for Donaghmore Ashbourne, John Alwell, thanked St Loman’s for the invite: “We’re very happy to be here today. It’s great to get games on a Saturday.”

Ronan Lally of Ballinamere/Durrow said he and his fellow mentors and their young players were delighted to be in Mullingar for the Leinster blitz and were also looking forward to facing teams for other counties.

Bohermeen club St Ultan’s had brought two U10 teams and 21 players to St Loman’s for the day: “It’s a great day out and it’s very well run,” said Deirdre Coyne on their behalf.

Gemma Alyward Keenan of Celbridge U10 girls said it was a great event; their girls had great fun; they were delighted with how it went and they are already hoping to play another similar blitz soon.

The St Loman’s Senior Ladies squad ran the busy shop on the day and supplied most of the referees. One ref, who isn’t part of the ladies setup (!) was Eoghan Hogan, who said: “The standard was very good, and it’s good to see all the different clubs coming down, some of them I hadn’t heard of. The atmosphere when the three pitches are full is great. I refereed last year too. I enjoy it, and my brother even came down for a walk to see it.”