Registrations continue to soar in Cavan ladies football
Ladies football
Aideen Coyle
2024 will go down in the history books as the most successful season for Cavan ladies underage county teams with the county finishing with five out of six titles up for grabs. The county claimed a remarkable juvenile treble at provincial level with the minors and U16s both winning national honours. The U14s narrowly lost the All-Ireland final after extra time having fought their way back into the tie in a thriller against Galway.
To cap the season off Ellie Brady was crowned the best young footballer in Ulster. The Cavan minor captain was pivotal to her side’s success this season, being a constant steady figure around midfield for Cavan minors. The Ballyhaise clubwoman kept her best performance till last playing an instrumental role in the victory over Kerry in Glendale O’Connor Park. Brady joins Aisling Doonan, Neasa Byrd, Geraldine Smith and Saoirse Kiernan in winning the prestigious accolade.
The success at national level traces back to the grassroots as the club scene in Cavan continues to go from strength to strength with over 1,300 competitive games being played across all grades and divisions. Over half of these games were played at U12 and U14 level with some clubs in the county incredibly managing to field three teams at these age grades as registration numbers continue to soar.
Here we saw a 14.38% increase in the number of registered members to the association with 5,513 registered members across all clubs in the county. Another milestone was the forming of St Mary’s Swanlinbar (senior) and Kildallan (juvenile), bringing the total number of registered ladies clubs in Cavan to 34.
It is no surprise to see Lurgan leading the way with the highest number of registered members. The Virginia ladies continue to go from strength to strength and have become the most decorated ladies’ team in Cavan after winning their ninth senior title with a victory over Crosserlough in the county final. In 2024 they remarkably completed the league and championship double at senior and minor level whilst also reaching the Ulster senior club championship final losing out to Clann Eireann. The side have shown they have the perfect mix of youth and experience and will no doubt be among the favourites to reclaim the title next season as the chasing pack look to dethrone the nine-time champions.
One team who will no doubt be joining the race is Mullahoran ladies who join the senior ranks once again in 2025 after a year to remember. The side managed by local man Seanie Smith defeated Knockbride in the county final before blowing away their opposition in the provincial championship to win the Ulster Intermediate club championship title.
Like Lurgan, the team have a blend of youth and experience with the clubs U16 team winning the U16 division 1 championship after narrowly losing the league decider to Knockbride, another side who continue to be on the rise.
At junior level Butlersbridge ladies tore up the script to defeat heavy favourites Cavan Gaels in the JFC final in Kingspan Breffni. After being defeated by their neighbours in the group stages the team led by captain Niamh McCorry put on a masterclass in the final hitting the net on five occasions to run out comfortable and deserving winners. The club also finished the season on a high adding a Division 3 minor title to their collection with a win over St Finbarr’s in early December.
The adult league division one champions were Lurgan who defeated Killygarry with Knockbride gaining promotion to the top division with a win over Ballyhaise. Ballymachugh won the Division 3 title with a victory over Cornafean whilst Cavan Gaels bounced back from their championship final defeat to beat Lurgan B in the division four league final.
Lurgan minors replicated their senior team’s achievement winning the double at minor level but unfortunately fell at the first hurdle in their quest for a second minor provincial title. In the division 2 league final played in December, Bailieboro defeated neighbours Kingscourt. Butlersbridge captured the Division 3 title as Knockbride and Lacken won the Division 4 and 5 trophies respectively. Mullahoran, St Finbarr’s, Killygarry, Ballyhaise, Lavey and Lurgan B were the U16 championship winners for 2024 after Knockbride, Lacken, Shercock, Templeport, Gowna and St. Finbarrs B claimed the league honours earlier in the season.
Finally, at U14 level Shercock won the league and championship double with Lacken, Ballyhaise, Kingscourt, Cuchulainns and Cavan Gaels ending the U14 championship with trophies. In the league Cornafean, Castlerahan/Denn, Gowna and Kingscourt respectively won titles.
As the ladies game in Cavan continues to surge at club and county level, the prospect of success at senior inte-rcounty level is only a stone’s throw away one can only imagine. Can Virginia man Emmet Daly be the one to lead the side to national honours in his maiden season? Only time will tell.