Girls Just Want to Have Fun

Rathpeacon G.A.A. club have launched three underage ladies football teams for the first time in their history.

The launch was announced on the club’s Facebook page on Wednesday afternoon.

Originally formed in 1943, the small club just north of the city has traditionally only had men’s junior teams.

However, numbers have been growing steadily at their underage football training in Kilcully pitch on Monday nights under the tutelage of club member Brendan Hallissey.

Boys and girls of all primary school age are welcome at the pitch from 6:30 pm to get active, have some fun and make some friends.

Brendan said, “The numbers at the Monday night training have been growing every week over the past few months.

“I keep an attendance list every week and there were 96 kids there on Monday night!”

Due to the rising numbers and thinking about the future of the club, Chairman Éamonn Hawe and other members of the committee decided that it was high time to add underage ladies’ teams to the roster.

He said, “Our underage numbers have grown enormously and with the support of our friends in Blarney G.A.A. and Blarney camogie, we will field teams at under 8s, under 10s and under 12s this year.

“This is a big undertaking but with the continued support of our members and supporters we will be successful in this venture and continue to grow.”

Rathpeacon’s underage boys currently play with Blarney, with local man Shane Barrett rising through their ranks and picking up a PWC Young Hurler of the Year nomination last year for the Cork hurlers.

Rathpeacon’s underage girls are not officially affiliated with any team, with some playing their football and camogie with Blarney and others playing with Rockbán G.A.A., located in Whitechurch.

Anne Coleman, chairwoman of Blarney Camogie club was full of praise for the initiative.

“Blarney Camogie would like to thank Rathpeacon for taking the initiative in founding a Ladies Football club.

“This will benefit girls in the whole parish and allow them to play both football and camogie.

“We look forward to working together over the coming years in this fantastic venture.”