Huge congratulations to the women of Claregalway GAA who retained their Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta senior football title with victory over An Clochán Liath (Co. Donegal) in the final in the Co. Meath Gaeltacht on Bank Holiday Monday.
The team captained by Eabha Ni Riordáin dominated the early stages and led by 4-3 to 0-2 at half-time, thanks to two goals by Andrea Trill, who registered a hat-trick in the final.
Kate Slevin also excelled in attack for the side from Gaeltacht an Eachréidh, who ran out 6-13 to 4-6 winners in the end.
There were huge scenes of celebration when the hooter sounded at the end of the game and it was a source of great pride that four of the players spoke ‘as Gaeilge’ to TG4 after the game.
“This win was very important for us,” said Eabha after accepting the cup. “We worked really hard together for this and that was clear out on the pitch here at Rath Cairn today.”
The Irish Language Officer for Gaeltacht an Eachréidh, Ciaran Tierney, presented the players and officials with t-shirts ahead of the trip to the Co. Meath Gaeltacht last Friday.
Three of the team members, team captain Eabha, Chloe Ni Fhlatharta, and Laura Ni Scanláin visited the weekly ‘Ciorcal Comhrá’ in Loughgeorge on Friday morning, and promised to bring home the cup they win with such style in Co. Cork last year.
“It was absolutely brilliant to see four girls from the team speak with such beautiful irish live on national television immediately after the game,” said Ciaran. “It is great to see Claregalway back in this competition after a break of some years and it was not just the quality of their football which showed that they deserved to be in Rath Cairn.”
There were huge celebrations in the Claregalway Hotel when the team returned home with the cup last night.
All seven Gaeltacht counties, as well as clubs from Dublin and Antrim, were represented at this year’s annual Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta.
The competition was set up in 1969 with the aim of bringing Irish speaking clubs and communities together for a weekend of football and socialising. It was hosted by Clann na nGael in Co. Meath this year.