Ladies Gaelic Football- The Sport
Ladies Gaelic Football is recognised as one of the fastest growing female sports in Europe and has a similar status here in Santa Sabina. Gaelic Football was introduced to Santa Sabina in 2013 and we currently have almost 180 students signed up to play each year.
Playing Gaelic Football in Santa Sabina:
1st Years:
First year students are introduced to Gaelic Football in Santa Sabina after Christmas. Many players play with local clubs but beginners are also welcome. They train once a week and play inter schools blitz in the final term of the year.
2nd Years:
In 2nd year, students continue to train weekly and enter the u14 schools league in the second half of the school year. Here they play many schools from around Dublin and Leinster. Santa Sabina are currently in the Leinster C league.
3rd and 4th Years
Players from 3rd and 4th year make up the school’s junior team. The juniors play their games early in the year and usually have their first game in early September. Our junior team enters the Leinster C competition each year.
5th and 6th Years:
The senior team follow a similar format to the junior team beginning their season in early September. They are also entered in the C division and play schools in North Dublin.
Training & Matches:
Training takes place before and after school, for one hour.
The current 21/22 training schedule is:
1st Years: Wednesday 3.00pm- 4.00pm (January to May)
2nd Years: Tuesday 7.30am- 8.30am (September to May)
Juniors: Thursday 7.30am- 8.30am (September to December)
Seniors: Thursday 7.30am- 8.30am (September to December)
Matches for first years are usually played during a full day blitz twice a year while all other teams follow a league format with approximately 3 to 4 matches a year.
The History of Gaelic Football in Santa Sabina:
Gaelic Football in Santa Sabina goes back to September 2013. This was when the first Santa Sabina ladies football team were entered into the Leinster D league. We have since won a senior D final and are currently entered in the C division in all age groups.
In October 2019, Santa Sabina won the Lidl national school’s competition and were presented with a new set of jerseys, bibs, water bottles and cones.
Achievements in Gaelic Football:
In a highly competitive sport our achievements to date include:
Leinster Post Primary Schools
Junior ‘D’ Finalists 2020
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Leinster Post Primary Schools
Senior ‘D’ Champions 2018
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(Final not played due to Covid-19)
Team: Amy O’Gorman
Almha Fitzpatrick
Thureesa Pitcher
Kate Skillington
Kate Collins
Chloe Hansen
Cáit Phelan
Grace Doyle
Sarah Brady
Jennifer Dunne
Mia Kennedy
Amy Comerford
Emma Fitzgibbon
Bella Cronin
Isabella Walls
Amber Nangle
Julianne Barry
Coaches: James Grannell
Niamh Nic an Bhaird
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Team: Emer Haines
Laura Kellett
Aoife Foley
Kelly Byrne
Kahina Bakour
Jools Aungier
Hannah Stapleton
Ellen Quinn
Eva Gurley
Mary Haines
Aisling Quinn
Siabh Hannigan
Enya Hannigan
Lucy Murphy
Ella McGinley
Tia Harte
Keeva Kenehan
Hannah Collins
Hannah King
Eva Gurley
Lucy Ryan
Lucy King
Caoimhe Keohane
Tara Murphy
Coaches: James Grannell
Niamh Nic an Bhaird
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Other opportunities for our Gaelic Football players:
With Ladies Gaelic football being such a popular sport in Ireland, the opportunities for players are endless. Local clubs are always welcoming new players and it is never too late to join a club team. We currently have players from the following clubs and should you require contact information for any of the clubs, we are happy to help.
Beann Éadair
Naomh Barróg
Naomh Mearnóg
Scoil Uí Chonaill
Na Dubh Gall
Clontarf
Fingallians
Parnells
O’Tooles
Raheny
Trinity Gaels
Furthermore, there are also opportunities for players to play for Dublin in all age groups. Local clubs will share information about trials and we have been honoured to have many Dublin players in Santa Sabina.
Santa Sabina Players who have represented Dublin at Senior Level in Ladies Gaelic Football to date:
Siobhán Woods, Raheny
Laura McGinley, Naomh Barróg
Images
Past Pupil Laura McGinley celebrating an All Ireland win with Dublin.
Past Pupil Siobhán Woods in action for Dublin Senior Ladies.
Santa Sabina Captain, Síabh Hannigan accepting the Senior D Cup in 2018
Senior D winning team 2018