LGFA

The men of the parish are not alone in representing the parish with pride and passion.  As you will see in the Roll of Honour Killimer ladies, blessed with that same pride and passion, have brought distinction, credit and success to the GAA parish family.  For many years girls have played a vital role in the underage boys’ teams. Playing up to U-16 in the past, they were  a vital asset when numbers were scarce and there is many a girl in the parish, who has an underage boys medal in a drawer and tales of matches where they squared up to their male counterparts.

The first all-ladies team in the parish was a school team in the year 1988-89, which comprised girls from Burrane N.S. and Knockerra N.S.  This team competed for two years representing Killimer. They defeated opposition from Kilmurry McMahon, Coolmeen and Shannon Gaels, but unfortunately both years were beaten in the semi-final- the first year by Newmarket and the second year by Lissycasey. Unfortunately the team then disbanded and Coolmeen were to benefit from the addition of a number of Killimer players. Coolmeen went on to win U-16B and Minor B championships with these girls, as well as a County Senior final in 1992. Another lady to win a County Junior medal at this time was Sally Cunningham in 1993 playing for Eire Óg.  Anne Frawley and Brenda Meehan also went on to play with Clare at underage level. Anne went on to become goalie in the Clare Junior ladies team, which won the All- Ireland in 1996. This team was managed by J.J. Meehan (Burrane). Anne was also awarded an All Star for her skills in 1992.

For the rest of the 1990s this was the situation for girls within the parish. Many of our neighbouring parishes gained from our lack of a team. However, in the school year 1999-2000 another attempt was made to restart an all-girls school team. For the first time, in a long time, there was a big group of girls eager to play football. That year a Killimer schools team went on to win the beginners schools final in Cusack Park against Kilmurry Ibrikane B.  Michael Madigan (Derrylough) was the trainer and manager and the backroom team included Dolores Miniter (Trellig), Bernie Moloney (Tonovoher) and Ita Griffin (Granatooha). This team, and teams coming after them, went from strength to strength and were very successful at underage, winning Primary schools, an U12, two U14s and an U16 Championship. They had victories over Clooney-Quin, Newmarket, Crusheen, Ballyea and Doonbeg. For about eight years the Killimer Ladies football team represented the parish with skill and determination. They also represented the club in a number of underage county and primary school teams. Unfortunately due to lack of numbers the club ceased activity in 2008.  It hadn’t fielded an adult team for the two years before it folded, but the Killimer girls had assisted neighbouring Shannon Gaels. Killimer ladies were a vital part of the team which won the Junior B Championship and Junior A League and Championship. After the team disbanded a number of girls continued to play with Shannon Gaels, while others went on to play for other neighbouring teams – Kilrush, Cooraclare, Coolmeen and Kilmihil – with distinction. To this day Killimer girls continue to play at both underage and adult level, with a number also going on to represent the parish at county level, both at under age and senior level.  While they may not always wear the green and gold of Killimer they continue to show off the skills learnt on the good old Killimer pitch.