How It All Began
Ladies Gaelic Football in the locality first started in Saint Gabriel's on Sunday the 20th of April 1997. This was as a result of notices being put in parish newsletters and by a an enthusiastic word of mouth campaign conducted by people in the area. The first meeting saw some 25 girls gathered at Kilconnell playing field for a light training session.
What Happened Next?
Encouraged by this initial turnout and positive interest in this new club venture Sean O'Brien, Michelle Delaney & Helen Kelly organised another training session the following Sunday. This resulted in an even more encouraging total of 31 girls turning up and a Junior team was formed and affiliated to the league.
First Trainer Appointed
Sile Coen graciously agreed to train the team and the inaugral first game for St Gabriel's Ladies Junior team took place on Sunday 11th May 1997 in Kilconnell against Carna. This was a momentous and historical day for Saint Gabriels Ladies GAA club.
Inaugural Match Played
Although this first match saw the Ladies losing by 3 goals & 5 points to 2 goals everyone was happy with the performance. Incidentally the first goal ever scored for St Gabriel's Ladies was by Elaine Kelly of Woodlawn which caused great excitement among the expectant and excited crowd who gathered for the game.
Inaugural Match Played
The club managed to play a total of 10 league games in 1997 winning two and drawing one. The following year (1998) saw the Junior team go on to contest their first ever league final and despite being beaten by Glinsk this represented a great achievement considering the humble beginnings of the Ladies club.
The BIGGEST small club in the west
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