AYA Supplements is to be an official brand partner for the Kerry Senior Ladies Team for the upcoming season.

The company said the collaboration reflects its commitment to supporting elite athletes and promoting health and wellness within the sporting community.

The partnership will see AYA Supplements providing the Kerry senior footballers with its range of nutritional products, which are formulated to support peak performance, recovery, and overall well-being.

AYA’s range of 39 products caters for adults, children, and babies, and is exclusive to pharmacy retailers.

As part of the agreement, AYA said it will work with the team’s coaching and nutrition staff to tailor supplementation strategies to the unique needs of the athletes.

AYA marketing manager Aine Devlin commented: ”We are passionate about empowering athletes to achieve their full potential through superior nutrition, and we look forward to supporting the team as they strive for success on and off the field.”

Kerry Ladies Team manager Darragh Long said: “With their vitamins aiding in recovery and enhancing performance, AYA’s contribution is integral to our team’s success. Together, we’re poised to achieve the ambitious goals we’ve set for the year ahead.”

AYA Supplements said it will engage with supporters through product promotions, fan events, and digital content. The partnership was brokered by Trevor Twamley in Sport Endorse.

My name is Hayley and I am a current PhD student at UCD researching the history of ladies’ Gaelic football and women’s sport in Ireland with support from the LGFA as part of the activities to mark the 50^th anniversary of the founding of the LGFA this year. 

All going well, there are plans publish a book on 50 years of the LGFA later this year and I am reaching out to some people now to gather images to include in the book. I am looking for good quality photos that the owner would be willing to share with me and give permission to use reproduce the images for print and digital, and possible use them in any publicity or marketing around the book if selected? Kerry’s fantastic achievements in the 1980s feature (naturally!) and I’d love to get some images from this time if the county board have any available to them or if you can put the call out to past players or administrators. Team photos, action shots, celebrations, etc – anything would be great!

Spec wise – quality is key so a good scan of the image would be great (I use an app called Genius Scan) but if there are any questions on this just let me know. I’m hoping to put all the images together for consideration as soon as possible but by April 22 at the latest. 

Looking forward to hearing from you and, any questions, please feel free to ask. (Email address at the bottom)

Le meas, 

Hayley 

Lidl Ladies National Football League Final

Division 1

Armagh -v- Kerry

Sunday 7th April 2024 – Croke Park – Throw in: 3pm

1. Mary Ellen Bolger – Southern Gaels

2. Cáit Lynch – Castleisland Desmonds

3. Deirdre Kearney – Na Gaeil

4. Eilís Lynch – Castleisland Desmonds

5. Aishling O’Connell – Scartaglin

6. Ciara Murphy – MKL Gaels

7. Kayleigh Cronin – Dr Crokes

8. Mary O’Connell – Na Gaeil

9. Anna Galvin – Southern Gaels

10. Niamh Carmody – Finuge/St Senans (C)

11. Niamh Ní Chonchúir – Corca Dhuibhne

12. Lorraine Scanlon – Castleisland Desmonds

13. Hannah O’Donoghue – Beaufort

14. Emma Dineen – Glenflesk

15. Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh – Corca Dhuibhne

16. Ciara Butler Castlegregory

17. Danielle O’Leary – Rathmore

18. Amy Harrington – Inbhear Scéine Gaels

19. Ciara McCarthy – Abbeydorney

20. Ciara O’Brien – Laune Rangers

21. Katie Brosnan – Firies

22. Aoife Dillane – Austin Stacks

23. Bríd O’Connor – Na Gaeil

24. Kate O’Sullivan – Daingean Uí Chúis

25. Eilís O’Connor – Na Gaeil

26. Fay O’Donoghue – Beaufort

27. Jess Gill – Southern Gaels

28. Róisín Smith – Cromane

29. Siobhán Burns – Dr Crokes

30. Keri-Ann Hanrahan – Killarney Legion

PLAYERS GATHER IN DUBLIN AHEAD OF FOUR DIVISIONAL DECIDERS

CAPTAINS and representatives from the eight counties participating in the 2024 Lidl Ladies National Football League Finals gathered today (Tuesday April 2) at Lidl Head Office in Tallaght, Dublin, with their sights firmly set on weekend silverware.

The Divisions 3 and 4 Finals will form part of a double-header at Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park, Birr, next Saturday, April 6, followed by another double-bill on Sunday, April 7, at Croke Park, when the Divisions 1 and 2 champions will be crowned.

Ahead of Sunday’s fixtures at Croke Park, the big question is whether Armagh can clinch silverware in their maiden Division 1 Final appearance, or if it’ll be Kerry who retain their title and claim a 13^th crown in total?

This fixture is a repeat of the 2022 Lidl NFL Division 2 Final between the counties, won by Kerry, while Armagh returned to Croke Park last year and won the second tier title Final against Laois to gain promotion to the top flight.

Any worries that Armagh might be overwhelmed by Division 1 football were quickly allayed as they scorched through the group phase of the 2024 competition, winning six games in a row before losing to Dublin in Round 7, and with an understrength team on show from the start.

If recent form is a barometer, both sides are in good shape heading into this one and it is Armagh who have the psychological pre-match edge after winning against Kerry in early March.

Kerry were once undisputed Division 1 League queens. From 1980-1985, they won six successive titles and followed that up with five-in-a-row from 1987-1991.

The long wait for a 12^th title ended in 2023 when the team managed by Declan Quill and Darragh Long got the better of Galway in impressive fashion at Croke Park – and now they’re aiming to hang onto the coveted silverware.

The Division 1 Final will throw in at 3pm and will be preceded at 1pm by the Division 2 decider involving Kildare and Tyrone, who have both been promoted to the top flight for 2025.

Kildare may start as slight favourites by virtue of the fact that they topped the Division 2 standings with 19 points from seven outings, with Tyrone two points further back, but both teams are unbeaten to date in 2024 and the sides couldn’t be separated when they faced each other in the group stages.

For Kildare, next Sunday represents a fourth Division 2 Final appearance. They won this competition in 2004, and were runners-up in 2006 and 2010, while Tyrone are aiming for their second Division 2 title, following victory in their sole previous appearance in a second tier Final against Dublin back in 1999.

The 2024 Lidl National League Finals get underway at Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park in Birr on Saturday, with Division 3 and Division 4 silverware on offer.

The Division 4 Final between Carlow and Limerick, both promoted to Division 3 for 2025, is the first game up at 2pm, followed by the Division 3 Final involving Clare and Roscommon at 4pm, with both teams assured of Division 2 football next year.

Carlow and Limerick achieved dramatic semi-final victories against Fermanagh and Leitrim respectively to clinch promotion and book a place in the Division 4 showpiece, and upset the formbook in the process.

The counties met in Round 7 of the group phase and that game resulted in a two-point victory for Limerick, with another close encounter anticipated in the Final.

Carlow are sailing into uncharted territory, getting ready for a very first Division 4 Final, while Limerick have previous experience of winning this competition, back in 2016.

The Munster outfit will be conscious, however, of the fact that they’ve suffered defeat in the 2022, 2015, 2012 and 2010 Finals, as they prepare for their sixth fourth tier decider.

Meanwhile, there’s huge motivation within both camps ahead of the Lidl National League Division 3 Final.

Clare were stung by defeat in the 2023 decider, when the Banner County lost a thrilling decider against Kildare at Parnell Park that went all the way to extra-time.

Roscommon, meanwhile, are aiming to win Division 3 silverware for the second time in three seasons.

After landing the title in 2022, the Connacht outfit suffered relegation last year but have bounced back at the first attempt to the second tier.

Looking at the roll of honour, Clare have previous form in this competition.

Clare were Finalists last year and they won’t want to lose a second successive decider.

They were, however, successful in Final appearances in 2011 and 2006, while Roscommon, champions two years ago , have also lifted the trophy in 2009 and 2001.

Roscommon’s first Division 3 Final appearance was back in 1997, when they lost out to Longford, but they have a 100 per cent record in Division 3 Finals since then.

The Divisions 3 and 4 Finals will be available to view on the Spórt TG4 YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/sporttg4 while Sunday’s Divisions 1 and 2 Finals will be televised live on TG4: https://www.tg4.ie/en/player/watch-live/home/

Armagh and Kerry were represented today by respective captains Clodagh McCambridge and Niamh Carmody, with captains Grace Clifford (Kildare) and Aoibhinn McHugh (Tyrone) present on behalf of the Division 2 Finalists.

Clare captain Caoimhe Harvey made the trip to Dublin, where she was joined by her Roscommon counterpart, Ellen Irwin, ahead of the Division 3 Final, while Division 4 captains Ruth Bermingham (Carlow) and Róisín Ambrose (Limerick) were also present at Lidl Head Office.

Looking ahead to the Finals, Mícheál Naughton, President of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, said: “We’re looking forward to four excellent games of Ladies Football over the coming weekend, as we get set to crown our 2024 Lidl National League champions. Best wishes to the eight counties involved, who have performed extremely well to get this far.

“To launch the 2024 Lidl National Leagues, our competition sponsors and official retail partner urged fans of our sport to ‘Get Behind the Fight’ and boost attendances at our fixtures. I’m looking forward to seeing big crowds attending our Finals at the weekend, and I anticipate more and more people coming to watch our great games in the coming weeks and months.”

Eimear O’Sullivan, Corporate Affairs Director Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland added: “The Lidl National Football League season kicked off back in January with a compelling call to action to join the fight and support our female athletes by attending more fixtures. There has definitely been positive growth across the Leagues and we will continue to build on this momentum. Our research revealed that the perceived cost of attending women’s sporting events can be a barrier, but the LGFA continues to offer great value to spectators across the Leagues and, with two action-packed clashes for the price of one this weekend, we’re encouraging families to come out and support our female players and enjoy a top family day out.”

Ticket details for all four games are available by visiting the Ladies Gaelic Football Association website and accessing the link: https://bit.ly/4ceQTom

2024 Lidl Ladies National Football League Finals:

Saturday April 6 – Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park, Birr

Division 4 – Carlow v Limerick; 2pm – Live on Spórt TG4 YouTube 

Division 3 – Clare v Roscommon; 4pm – Live on Spórt TG4 YouTube 

Sunday April 7 – Croke Park 

Division 2 – Kildare v Tyrone; 1pm – Live on TG4 

Division 1 – Armagh v Kerry, 3pm – Live on TG4 

Munster U16 Championships Round 5

A Kerry v Clare 

B Kerry v Clare (Sharon O’Keeffe Tournament) 

Saturday 30th March – UL Maguire Pitches – 2:30pm 

Kerry U16 A Team

1. Anne O’Shaughnessy – Fossa

2. Jamie Lee O’Connor – Ballymacelligott

3. Muireann Rochford – Inbhear Scéine Gaels

4. Roisin Daly – MKL Gaels

5. Sadhbh Ní Shlattara – Corca Dhuibhne

6. Eimear Dillane – Austin Stacks

7. Leah Griffin – Castleisland Desmonds

8. Muireann Teahan (C) – Southern Gaels

9. Anna O’Sullivan – Churchill

10. Lily Riordan – Beaufort

11. Doireann O’Neill – Inbhear Scéine Gaels

12. Keeva Riordan – Beaufort

13. Jessie Lynch – Daingean Uí Chúis

14. Brid Curtin – Currow

15. Anna Slattery – Abbeydorney

16. Niamh Mulvihill – Listowel Emmets

17. Eabha McEvoy – Beaufort

18. Blathnaid Walsh – Churchill

19. Vilte Paulauskaite – Southern Gaels

20. Seoladh Flynn – MKL Gaels

21. Eve Broderick – Na Gaeil

22. Sarah O’Brien – Laune Rangers

23. Emily O’Sullivan – Cromane

24. Naoise O’Donoghue – MKL Gaels

Kerry U16 B Team

1. Caoimhe O’Mahoney – Castleisland Desmonds

2. Kate Costello – Laune Rangers

3. Siofra Randles – Dr. Crokes

4. Róise Ní Ghairbhí – Daingean Uí Chúis

5. Saoirse O’Connor McCarthy – Kerins O’ Rahillys (c)

6. Riadh O’Sullivan – Laune Rangers

7. Eilis Tangney – MKL Gaels

8. Sinead Lyons – Listowel Emmets

9. Aoibheann McCarthy – Kerins O’ Rahillys

10. Emma O’Connor – Southern Gaels

11. Sadhbh O’Sullivan – Southern Gaels

12. Kelsey Cummins – Fossa

13. Ashlyn Falvey – Abbeydorney

14. Lily O’Shaughnessy – Fossa

15. Kara Kirby    – Austin Stacks

16. Holly Heffernan – Glenflesk

17. Ali Gill – Southern Gaels

18. Molly Mccarthy – Annascaul

19. Katie Turner – Ballymacelligott

20. Meadhbh O’Connor – Brosna/Knocknagoshel

21. Brona O’Connor – Moyvane

22. Leah Courtney – Castlegregory

23. Aideen Griffin – Cromane

24. Kerri Falvey – John Mitchels

25. Louise O’Donoghue – MKL Gaels

26. Gracie O’Sullivan – Beale

27. Erin Evans – MKL Gaels

28. Eliza O’Donnell – Listowel Emmets

29. Niamh Brosnan – Glenflesk

30. Sadhbh Curran – MKL Gaels

Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/munster-lgfa-u16ab-championship-r5-kerry-v-clare-tickets-6TMRBD?fbclid=IwAR0dvhQzqUtFM8EowbEwRWcgrmScLKhVGfHzylMGUb3oDAXh9kbclQRCm2Q_aem_AQKQ9S_LclhkMY23bvXIJ2Tdj3cv9ivZQbNTVtzfmEsxvYwfOmseVtjvcXJhNQcyaPfGlBfwltnvaTX2h3uMFrsk

A chara,

This is just a reminder email re: Lidl NFL Division 1 & 2 Finals on Sunday 7^th April.

Attached are Group Ticket Order forms should you wish to bring a club to see you county in the finals.

We ask all clubs to support their counties and attend these finals. In the 50^th year of our Association, this is the year to show the growth and strength of our sport of attending our games and in particular our finals in great numbers.

The details for the finals are as follows;

Division 1 and 2 Finals – Venue: Croke Park

Date: Sunday 7^th April

Division 2 Final – Kildare v Tyrone v @ 1:00 p.m.

Division 1 Final – Armagh v Kerry @3:00 p.m.

Ticket Information

Tickets will be available to purchase through the following link;

https://am.ticketmaster.com/gaa/ism/MjRDUDA3MDQ=

Adults – €20.00

Student/OAP – €10.00

U-18’s – €5.00

Group Rates are available by completing the attached document and return to; 

(One adult @ €10 for every group of 10 under 18’s. Under 18s are €5)

Attached Document:

If you have any questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Regards,

Helen O’Rourke

CEO

Ladies Gaelic Football Association

Croke Park                                                                  

Dublin 3                                                                          

Reminder to all clubs that registration deadline is Sunday 31st March 2024. Please make sure that all Players, mentors and officers are registered.

Kerry 2-11 -v- Galway 0-12

By DAN KEARNEY at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney

Hannah O’Donoghue came off the bench and struck for 1-2 as champions Kerry were made to fight all the way by Galway at Fitzgerald Stadium in this Lidl NFL Division 1 contest.

Kerry’s win propels them to the Lidl NFL Division 1 final for the second year in a row where they will defend the title they claimed in 2023 against Armagh on April 7 at Croke Park.

Dublin’s dismantling of Armagh on Saturday meant that Kerry knew that only a win would do against a Galway side that will now go face Waterford in their refixed tie to see who will stay up in Division 1.

Kerry started in whirlwind fashion and found themselves 1-3 to 0-1 ahead after 14 minutes. Niamh Carmody got the home side off the mark in the second minute but Roisin Leonard equalised three minutes later with a brilliant free off the ground from 40 metres.

Kerry struck for a fortunate goal when Danielle O’Leary looked to be shooting for a point but it dipped into the top corner of Dearbhla Gower’s net. Lorraine Scanlon pointed from the kick out and the lively Katie Brosnan popped over another to push Kerry 1-3 to 0-1 ahead.

From there on Galway started to take control of the half and they struck for four points on the bounce as they attacked Kerry in waves. Indeed, they may have had a goal in the 28th minute but for a last ditch block by Kayleigh Cronin on Emma Reaney.

Roisin Leonard pointed another free from the ground, Emma Reaney, excellent in the Galway forward line hit a brace, and then Aoife

O’Riordan struck on the stroke of half time to leave the visitors just one in arrears, 1-3 to 0-5, at the break.

Substitute Niamh Ní Chonchúir and Roisin Leonard (free) traded scores at the start of the second half before Shauna Hynes gave Galway the lead for the first time in the game two minutes later.

Kerry awoke from their slumber and hit three on the trot thanks to two Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh frees and a monster effort from Anna Galvin to push the hosts 1-7 to 0-8 ahead in the 42nd minute of what was turning into an absorbing contest.

Leonard struck another free for the visitors and Emma Reaney with her third from play but then came Kerry’s second goal when Ní Chonchúir fed O’Donoghue who finished expertly to the back of the net.

Both sides exchanged scores near the finish, including two from the excellent O’Donoghue, and Kerry had done enough to book a final date in Croke Park in a couple of weeks.

Scorers –Kerry: Hannah O’Donoghue 1-2, D O’Leary 1-0, N Ní Chonchúir 0-2, N Carmody 0-2 L Ní Mhuircheartaigh 0-2f, K Brosnan 0-1, A Galvin 0-1, L Scanlon 0-1.

Galway: R Leonard 0-4f, E Reaney 0-3, S Hynes 0-2, A O’Rourke 0-1, O Divilly 0-1, C Miskell 0-1.

Kerry: M.E. Bolger; K O’Sullivan, E Lynch, C Murphy; A O’Connell, K Cronin, C McCarthy; M O’Connell, A Galvin; N Carmody, D O’Leary, L Scanlon; K Brosnan, E Dineen, L Ní Mhuircheartaigh. Subs: N Ní Chonchir for Dineen (25), A Harrington for Brosnan, C Lynch for McCarthy, D Kearney for O’Sullivan (all half-time), H O’Donoghue for O’Leary (46), A Dillane for Harrington (58), E O’Connor for Carmody (63).

Galway: D Gower; M Jordan, S Ní Loingsigh, E Gavin; K Geraghty, N Ward, A Ni Cheallaigh; M Glynn, A Davoren; O Divilly, S Hynes, E Reaney; L Coen, A O’Rourke, R Leonard. Subs: A Trill for A O’Rourke (45), C Miskell for Reaney (50), M Banek for Ní Cheallaigh (54), N Divilly for Hynes (58).

Referee: Patrick Smith (Waterford).

Photo’s by Darren Halpin

Munster U16 Championship Round 4

Kerry -v- Cork (B Championship – Sharon O’Keeffe Tournament) – 12noon

Kerry -v- Cork (A Championship) – 2pm

Sunday 24^th March 2024

Kerry A Team

1. Anne O’Shaughnessy – Fossa

2. Eabha McEvoy – Beaufort

3. Muireann Rochford – Inbhear Scéine Gaels

4. Blathnaid Walsh – Churchill

5. Jamie Lee O’Connor – Ballymacelligott

6. Eimear Dillane – Austin Stacks

7. Sadhbh Ní Shlattara – Corca Dhuibhne

8. Anna O’Sullivan – Churchill

9. Leah Griffin – Castleisland Desmonds

10. Keeva Riordan – Beaufort

11. Doireann O’Neill – Inbhear Scéine Gaels

12. Lily Riordan – Beaufort

13. Eve Broderick – Na Gaeil

14. Emily O’Sullivan – Cromane

15. Brid Curtin – Currow

16. Niamh Mulvihill – Listowel Emmets

17. Roisin Daly – MKL Gaels

18. Anna Slattery – Abbeydorney

19. Naoise O’Donoghue – MKL Gaels

20. Seoladh Flynn – MKL Gaels

21. Jessie Lynch – Daingean Uí Chúis

22. Sarah O’Brien – Laune Rangers

23. Vilte Paulauskaite – Southern Gaels

24. Muireann Teahan (C) – Southern Gaels

B Team

1. Caoimhe O’Mahoney – Castleisland Desmonds

2. Sadhbh Curran – MKL Gaels

3. Siofra Randles – Dr. Crokes

4. Brona O’Connor – Moyvane

5. Saoirse O’Connor McCarthy – Kerins O’Rahillys

6. Riadh O’Sullivan – Laune Rangers

7. Róise Ní Ghairbhí – Daingean Uí Chiús

8. Kara Kirby – Austin Stacks

9. Aoibheann McCarthy – Kerins O’Rahillys

10. Emma O’Connor – Southern Gaels

11. Sadhbh O’Sullivan – Southern Gaels

12. Eliza O’Donnell – Listowel Emmets

13. Erin Evans – MKL Gaels

14. Lily O’Shaughnessy – Fossa

15. Niamh Brosnan – Glenflesk

16. Holly Heffernan – Glenflesk

17. Ali Gill – Southern Gaels

18. Eilis Tangney – MKL Gaels

19. Kate Costello – Laune Rangers

20. Katie Turner – Ballymacelligott

21. Meadhbh O’Connor – Brosna/Knocknagoshel

22. Molly McCarthy – Annascaul

23. Leah Courtney – Castlegregory

24. Aideen Griffin – Cromane

25. Kelsey Cummins – Fossa

26. Kerri Falvey – John Mitchels

27. Louise O’Donoghue – MKL Gaels

28. Sinead Lyons – Listowel Emmets

29. Gracie O’Sullivan – Beale

30. Ashlyn Falvey – Abbeydorney

Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/munster-lgfa-u16-championship-r4-kerry-v-cork-tickets-GZWK87?fbclid=IwAR25aQ5F6vyH0C9dKFwBCE4t6Uw2Q-U–O09NynFUfqYSwFCBou735FJQJg