Writes Nicola Depuis
The recent hugely successful Passage West Ladies GAA Football Blitz on Saturday 7th September brought in 2,700 players and over 5,000 visitors to Passage.
A fun event, no scores were kept on the day and there were no winners on the pitch. However, the Geraldine P Moran Ladies Football team from South Dublin were awarded most colourful team in the parade and they walked away with the Ken Sutherland memorial trophy.
Carrigaline Pipe Band, Cork Minor players & Passage West Ladies Gaelic Football Club at the start of the parade at the Passage West GAA Ladies Football Blitz 2019, 7th September 2019. Photo Siobhán Russell
Another big winner on the day is local man Francis McEveney who was inducted as Champion Sports Volunteer into the All Ireland Hall of Fame for his work leading the Passage West GAA Ladies Football Blitz from its humble beginnings with 8 teams in 2008 to 133 teams from 15 counties this year. Derry JF Doody made a special presentation to Francis on the evening of the Blitz at the Billy Cotter Pavilion.
Originally from Hollymount, Co. Mayo, Francis initially set up the Blitz as he was keen for his three daughters to play Ladies Gaelic Football. His middle daughter Erin went on to play for Cork in the under 14 and 16 age group. In response to receiving the award Francis says: ‘ I’m delighted. I couldn’t do the Blitz without the help of the community. I got a lot of help from Austin O’Connor, Linda Wixted, Noreen Corkery and Megan Farr. It was a great honour to be inducted and I was delighted I got to share that experience with everyone. At the end of the day, it’s all about ensuring the kids have fun.’
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