History of The
'Finn Ladies
The
‘Finn
Ladies - For Ladies Final Match Programme
2004
Leo Flanagan
The
Aughlisnafin Ladies team was formed
in 2002 after two local girls, Angela
Flanagan and Tracey Burns came up
with the idea and made an approach
to Gerry Flanagan a former Aughlisnafin
player and Gerard Lynch a former Castlewellan
player. The idea gathered momentum
and names of interested players were
collated. A meeting of all interested
parties took place and the rest is
history. The two Gerards and Shay
Flanagan organised training and coached
the girls and a few challenge matches
were arranged before the girls gained
admittance to the Junior league in
the summer of 2002.
It
is interesting to note that the last
Aughlisnafin team was resurrected
in a somewhat similar fashion away
back in 1967, when an approach was
made to former players by Leo Flanagan
and Seamus Walsh, to reform the ‘Finn
team. Between 1967 and 1973 the team
had much success winning the Junior
and Intermediate leagues and competing
in the All County Senior ‘C’
league before being forced to withdraw
at the end of 1973 due to emigration
and lack of numbers.
To-day
there are many direct connections
between the present ‘Finn Ladies
and the former men’s team ,
in that Gerry Mc Donald, Eamon Quinn,
Seamus Walsh , Gerry Flanagan and
Leo Flanagan all have daughters in
the playing panel.
A
unique feature of the current team
is that Mary Flanagan ,their captain,
will line out alongside her daughter
Jolene in the full back line, whilst
her other daughter Maria is included
in the panel, having received a nasty
hand injury during the year.
A
team was entered in the league in
2002 and although none of the girls
had ever played football before they
acquitted themselves well in their
inaugural year, coming fourth in a
seven team section. In the second
year they were runners up in the league,
thus gaining promotion to the Intermediate
section.
The
formation of the ladies team has revitalised
the local community and interest is
such that an under age team has now
been established thus providing much
enjoyment and a new interest for many
who would otherwise never have played
football.
Indeed
some have already represented their
county at minor level namely Claire
Mc Shane, Jolene and Colleen Flanagan
and at under 14 level namely, Michaela
Doherty, Tara Flanagan and Leanne
Flanagan.
As
they contest the Ladies’ Junior
Championship final of 2004 against
South Down opponents, Tullylish, hopes
are high that the team will be successful
and continue to build on the outstanding
progress which has been made to date
under the guidance of Gerry Flanagan
and his mentors. This dedicated group
of girls is in the final on merit
and hopes are high that the Junior
Championship trophy will find a resting
place for the next twelve months in
Aughlisnafin.
