Founded 15th Dec 1884
Ladies Football
Clara Ladies Football Club History
The Clara Ladies Football Club was originally founded in 1969 by Johnny Judge. In 1974 a Clara woman Catherine Hynes played in the first All Ireland Final v Tipperary, and Jackie Dunne from Clara played in the 1979 All Ireland v Tipperary when Offaly won their first All Ireland. After a lapse of many years Clara entered teams into the Offaly Championship in 1993, which were managed by Pat Egan, Phyllis Price, Fran Molloy and Pat Flanagan. They won the U14 that year and won the u14,u16 and minor finals the following year. There was no Ladies Football team in Clara since 1996. The Club was bought back to life in January 2007 with the hard work of a small starting committee. Joining the Chairperson Laura O’Meara was Michelle Coyne as Secretary and committee members Finian Robbins and Vicky Fleming.
During 2007 we entered four teams into the Championship. We had an Under 12, 14,16 and a Minor team. This year proved to be a very successful start to the club. Our under 12 team Managed by John O’Hara and under 14 team managed by Finian Robbins both were county finalist. Our big success was our u16 team, also managed by Finian Robbins, who won the final to become county champions in our first year. On top of our great success on the pitch we were named Club of the Year by the County Offaly Ladies Board. Our year ended with a awards night which was attended by over 350 people who came to see the girls receive there county medals.
The following year 2008, the interest in the club and our committee grew. Laura O’Meara remained in the Chairperson position with a new secretary Christine Doorley. Joining them were Deirdre Johnston as Treasurer, Alice Dignam as Assistant Treasurer, with Committee members Finian Robbins, Miriam Dolan and Vicky Fleming. Again we entered four teams into the Championship. Although we did not make any county finals this year our all our teams reached the semi-final position and the number of girls playing with the club grew showing great interest in Ladies Football in Clara.
Our 2009 season started with our AGM, with Laura O’Meara remaining as Chairperson. At our AGM John O’Hara was elected assistant Chairperson with Christine Doorley remaining as the Club Secretary. The Treasurer positions were held by Deirdre Johnson as Treasurer and Alice Dignam as assistant. The committee grew further this year with Sandra Rock taking the Child Welfare Officer position, and Shane Wynne the Development Officer. Sandra Rock, who is also a trained Emergency Medical Technician provides all medical attention at our matches which is a tremendous help to the girls and the club. Again this year we had great success on the pitch. We entered four teams into the Championship along with a new team of U8’s and U10’s who were managed by Christine Doorley and Alice Dignam. We saw two of our teams this year make a County final, the U12’s managed by Shane Wynne and the U14’s managed by John O’Hara. Although the girls fell short of a win they showed great football ability and sportsmanship. Our U16 and Minor teams both reached the Semi-Final stage.
Beside the work that is done on the pitch the Committee is very involved in creating a social aspect of the club for all the girls. For two years in a row the club have taken the girls on a trip to Croke Park to watch the Ladies All Ireland Football Finals that has proved to be a great day out. We have also connected with a Ladies Football Club in Limerick, Mungret/St. Pauls which is run by a Clara native, Neil Dignam. We brought three teams of girls to Limerick to play in a blitz with their teams and they reciprocated and travelled to Clara for a blitz here. It was a great day for both Clubs and we hope to make this a yearly tradition. The club have hosted county blitzes under the direction of Shane Wynne and have run discos for the girls in the club and the kids in the community.
Clara Ladies Football Club has grown to over 100 members in its three year existence and with the leadership of our dedicated and strong committee we hope we can have Ladies Football in Clara for many years to come.
The Clara Ladies Football Club was originally founded in 1969 by Johnny Judge. In 1974 a Clara woman Catherine Hynes played in the first All Ireland Final v Tipperary, and Jackie Dunne from Clara played in the 1979 All Ireland v Tipperary when Offaly won their first All Ireland. After a lapse of many years Clara entered teams into the Offaly Championship in 1993, which were managed by Pat Egan, Phyllis Price, Fran Molloy and Pat Flanagan. They won the U14 that year and won the u14,u16 and minor finals the following year. There was no Ladies Football team in Clara since 1996. The Club was bought back to life in January 2007 with the hard work of a small starting committee. Joining the Chairperson Laura O’Meara was Michelle Coyne as Secretary and committee members Finian Robbins and Vicky Fleming.
During 2007 we entered four teams into the Championship. We had an Under 12, 14,16 and a Minor team. This year proved to be a very successful start to the club. Our under 12 team Managed by John O’Hara and under 14 team managed by Finian Robbins both were county finalist. Our big success was our u16 team, also managed by Finian Robbins, who won the final to become county champions in our first year. On top of our great success on the pitch we were named Club of the Year by the County Offaly Ladies Board. Our year ended with a awards night which was attended by over 350 people who came to see the girls receive there county medals.
The following year 2008, the interest in the club and our committee grew. Laura O’Meara remained in the Chairperson position with a new secretary Christine Doorley. Joining them were Deirdre Johnston as Treasurer, Alice Dignam as Assistant Treasurer, with Committee members Finian Robbins, Miriam Dolan and Vicky Fleming. Again we entered four teams into the Championship. Although we did not make any county finals this year our all our teams reached the semi-final position and the number of girls playing with the club grew showing great interest in Ladies Football in Clara.
Our 2009 season started with our AGM, with Laura O’Meara remaining as Chairperson. At our AGM John O’Hara was elected assistant Chairperson with Christine Doorley remaining as the Club Secretary. The Treasurer positions were held by Deirdre Johnson as Treasurer and Alice Dignam as assistant. The committee grew further this year with Sandra Rock taking the Child Welfare Officer position, and Shane Wynne the Development Officer. Sandra Rock, who is also a trained Emergency Medical Technician provides all medical attention at our matches which is a tremendous help to the girls and the club. Again this year we had great success on the pitch. We entered four teams into the Championship along with a new team of U8’s and U10’s who were managed by Christine Doorley and Alice Dignam. We saw two of our teams this year make a County final, the U12’s managed by Shane Wynne and the U14’s managed by John O’Hara. Although the girls fell short of a win they showed great football ability and sportsmanship. Our U16 and Minor teams both reached the Semi-Final stage.
Beside the work that is done on the pitch the Committee is very involved in creating a social aspect of the club for all the girls. For two years in a row the club have taken the girls on a trip to Croke Park to watch the Ladies All Ireland Football Finals that has proved to be a great day out. We have also connected with a Ladies Football Club in Limerick, Mungret/St. Pauls which is run by a Clara native, Neil Dignam. We brought three teams of girls to Limerick to play in a blitz with their teams and they reciprocated and travelled to Clara for a blitz here. It was a great day for both Clubs and we hope to make this a yearly tradition. The club have hosted county blitzes under the direction of Shane Wynne and have run discos for the girls in the club and the kids in the community.
Clara Ladies Football Club has grown to over 100 members in its three year existence and with the leadership of our dedicated and strong committee we hope we can have Ladies Football in Clara for many years to come.
2010 Ladies Committee
CHAIRPERSON'S WELCOME MESSAGE
As Chairperson of the Clara Ladies Football Club I would like to welcome you to the new website. Clara Ladies Club started up four years ago after many years without girls football in the town. We cater for girls from U8 to Minor age and participate in the County Championship, League and Blitzes for our younger players.
I hope that visitors to our website whether local or far away enjoy looking at our pictures and that it helps you keep up with all our club matches and activities. Please feel free to contact any committee member for further information and again thank you for visiting our site.
Laura O'Meara
Chairperson
July 2010
ara Ladies GFC
Clara ladies GFC are hosting a dinner dance on Saturday 19th November in the Bridge House Hotel for the presentation of medals to our Junior team. Music on the night by the LOLS. Tickets are priced at 45 Euro. Please contact Michelle Handy on 087 6802599 or any committee member
Clara ladies GFC are hosting a dinner dance on Saturday 19th November in the Bridge House Hotel for the presentation of medals to our Junior team. Music on the night by the LOLS. Tickets are priced at 45 Euro. Please contact Michelle Handy on 087 6802599 or any committee member