A dhaoine uaisle.
Is mór an onóir dom ‘ bheith i bhur gcuideachta chun Craobh Náisiúnta Pheil Gael na mBan a sheoladh. Leis an mborradh mór atá tagtha ar pheil na mban agus an tsuim a chuireann na meáin chumarsáide inti, níl amhras ar bith go bhfuil séisiúr iontach i ndán dúinn arís.
I am delighted to be with you for the launch of the Suzuki Ladies’ Gaelic National Football League 2008.
I would like to thank Suzuki for their ongoing sponsorship. This is their sixth consecutive year of support for our national games. Suzuki’s staunch commitment is a reminder of the enormous strides Ladies’ Football has made - reaching, in the process, all corners of the globe.
Gaelic sport is, of course, a great way to build and promote friendship and understanding across country boundaries. And it is always a pleasure to share the best of our heritage with the rest of the world.
We may be only at the stage of launching the Leagues, but already the year has got off to a flying start. For one, the All Stars have had a substantial warm up in Dubai at an exhibition match at the Gulf Gaelic Games Tournament. They were accompanied by 40 teams that took part in what is considered to be one of the biggest international Gaelic sevens in the world. I am sure they, like all of us, are as eager to see the Leagues get off to a fine start.
As for the Ladies’ Football Association itself, they have made great progress in fostering the game. We saw the introduction of the inaugural Intermediate championship last year. The first winners were Leitrim, who captured the aptly named Mary Quinn Cup in honour of one of Leitrim Ladies GAA's greatest Ambassadors. And all of this amid scenes of much delight and cheer here in Croke Park in October. Earlier that day, Kilkenny's first Junior football title was greeted with similar enthusiasm. And it was the first time that the black and amber jersey had been seen in Croke Park on a football occasion for many, many years.
At senior level, Cork under the direction of Eamon Ryan continued their recent domination and became the first team since Kerry in 1990 to record three All Ireland's in a row. Naturally eager for their fourth consecutive title, we can expect their competitive spirit to be stronger than ever. However things pan out, they have set the standards for others to follow. With all this in mind, and given the enormous commitment shown by players, 2008 certainly promises to be a fascinating year for Ladies Football enthusiasts.
TG4 will come up trumps as always – televising live the Division 1 and 2 Finals on 4 May. I spoke earlier of the international impact of our games and I am delighted to see London compete in the League for the first time. They are doing so of course on foot of their great Championship run last year, when they made it to the All-Ireland Junior Final.
Ladies’ Football has taken major strides and continues apace. Much of this is down to the Association. The many local partnerships you have fostered with those who have a responsibility for or interest in sports have great potential. Coach training too is a priority. The FUNdamentals Coaching Course has proved to be a tremendous asset. And since I launched last year’s league, 650 coaches have become recognised Ladies’ Gaelic football coaches. Your many developments in coach and referee training and fitness will go a long way in promoting excellence. Participants will be able to fine-tune their skills and players everywhere will reap the rewards.
But while excellence is a key element in inspiring women and young girls to participate, participation itself has its own merits. Sport is a hugely important factor in staying healthy and fit and in developing team spirit both on and off the pitch. In recognition of this, the Government, through the National Sports Council, is providing funds towards the Women in Sports Initiative launched by the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism in 2005. This year, the Association will use its Women in Sport funding to employ Regional Development Officers as well as the Gaelic 4 Girls, Gaelic 4 Mothers, T.E.A.C.H and the Ready..Steady..Play Projects.
Core funding from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism through the Irish Sports Council to the Association has increased almost 11 fold in the last ten years, going up from €20,000 to €220,000. And Cumann Peil Gael na mBan has also received funding totalling nearly €1 million from the Women in Sport Initiative since its inception in 2005. Working together, we can help to foster our shared vision of participation and healthy living and, by the same token, boost morale and pride, all of which are central to building strong communities.
I would like to commend the Association, its sponsors and the many clubs and colleges for everything they have done to foster Ladies’ Football at home and abroad. We would have no games without the thousands of players who train hard and put in the long hours to bring us the best of sporting moments. I want to thank them all as well for their steadfast commitment. With that, I wish the teams participating in the League every success. I’m sure you will bring audiences around the country many, many moments to savour.
Go n-éirí an bóthar libh go léir!
Go raibh míle maith agaibh.
ENDS.