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07 Sept 2025

Tipperary at the heart of Ladies Football Association golden anniversary celebrations

Association was founded 50 years ago in Thurles

Tipperary at the heart of Ladies Gaelic Football Association golden anniversary celebrations

FBD Semple Stadium was the venue for exhibition games celebrating the association's special anniversary

Reporter:

Sports Reporter

19 Jul 2024 5:30 PM

Email:

sport@tipperarylive.ie

The Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) celebrated its 50th anniversary this week.
 
The association was founded on July 18, 1974, at Hayes’ Hotel in Thurles.
 
The Tipperary town was also the venue for the celebrations, with exhibition games at FBD Semple Stadium followed by a special event at The Dome.
 
Marty Morrissey was MC this event, which featured a presentation on the history of the LGFA by UCD PhD student, Hayley Kilgallon.
 
Past and present LGFA administrators, along with former players, also featured in panel discussions.
 
The day’s activities got underway from 11am, with Gaelic4Mothers&Others and underage teams led onto the FBD Semple Stadium sod by piper, Gerard Neville, followed by a fun warm-up conducted by former Cork player, Orlagh Farmer.
 
Games commenced at 11.30am and finished at 2pm, with the celebratory event in The Dome at 4pm.
 
Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne, addressed the gathering, along with Uachtarán Cumann Peil Gael na mBan, Mícheál Naughton, and Cathaoirleach Comhairle na Mumhan, Ger Ryan.
 
LGFA President, Mícheál Naughton, stated: “50 years ago, at Hayes Hotel in Thurles town, our Association officially came into being.
 
“What a journey we’ve been on for the last half a century and last Sunday at Croke Park, the sport of Ladies Gaelic Football was one of four practices granted formal State recognition as part of Ireland’s living cultural heritage. 
 
“That small group of people who got together on July 18, 1974, to set up the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, surely could never have imagined the journey that would follow.
 
“Those firsts include the introduction of our various competitions down through the years – and those firsts include the breaking down of so many barriers.
 
“More recent times have also seen incredible growth at grassroots levels with our thriving development initiatives, including Gaelic4Mothers&Others, winner of a prestigious award recently, Gaelic4Teens and Gaelic4Girls, all now proudly sponsored by LGFA partners.
 
“On the playing fields, we’ve been treated to countless magical moments. There have been eras of dominance, breakthrough moments, legendary players celebrated and inducted into our Hall of Fame.
 
“Today is a day to cherish and to celebrate all that is good about Ladies Gaelic Football”.

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