A quick A to Z of Kerry Ladies Football 2015!

A is for All Star . It is also for Aislinn, as in Aislinn Desmond ! The Rathmore full back deservedly won her first All Star at a lavish ceremony in the City West Hotel in October after an outstanding year in the Kerry colours.

B is for Bernie. It is a testament to the consistently brilliant performances given by Bernie Breen throughout the years that she is instantly recognisable by her first name alone. Bernie was awarded with the Munster Senior Player of 2015 after an outstanding game in the Munster final v Cork.

C is for Clubs. Without vibrant and active clubs there would be no Kerry intercounty teams. The clubs are the heart and soul of Kerry ladies football. C is also for captain , and for Cait Lynch, we wish Cait bon voyage on her new work adventure in Holland , and we also wish new Kerry Ladies captain Aislinn Desmond the best of luck for the season ahead.

D is for Development.   The Kerry u/12 development squad carried 143 players to the development blitz in Clare .  The u/13 squad carried 145 players to the development blitz in Mallow. There were 38 coaches involved with both squads . Good numbers all round. Progress is being made and the development process in Kerry ladies footballl will continue to improve in 2016.

E is for Extraordinary, and when you say this word , the performances of the Kerry u/16s in 2015 immediately springs to mind . More on that later !

F is for Fun. Sometimes we forget that fun is what football is all about!  F is also for Feile , which is taking place in Kerry in June. What a wonderful weekend that is going to be! F is also for Faye O’Donoghue, the Munster u/16 Player of the Year for 2016 . Well done Faye!

G is for Games.  Games are what every player wants ! Training is great, but it’s all about the games !!!

H is for Happy, which is what we always are when we win ! H is also for Human. We sometimes forget that our referees are actually human and can make mistakes !

I is for International. So many  ladies footballers from Kerry are now playing and flying the flag in Britain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Australia, USA, Holland , etc, ladies football truly gone global in 2015.

J is for Jersey. For many young girls in Kerry , 2015 was the first time that they put on their club jersey and represented their parish. This is something that will live with them for the rest of their lives.

K is of course for Kerry. And also Kerry Group who’s sponsorship , along with others,  is so vital. K  is also for Kingdom . There are only 2 Kingdoms, the Kingdom of Kerry and the Kingdom of God . Enough said!

L is for Lavinia, our brilliant Kerry Ladies fixtures secretary , who has arguably the hardest job on the board.  L is also for Laois who didn’t turn up for their National League Division 1 game back in February.

M is for Mayo , who Kerry completely blew away in the All Ireland senior championship quarter final. M is also for media, without whom Kerry ladies football would not have received so much exposure in 2015. Thank you! M is also for minors, some of last years succesful u/16 team will be moving up to this grade for 2016 and with the other talented minors,  they will challenge for honours.

N is for Numbers. In 2015 there were more girls playing ladies football in Kerry , and indeed Ireland, than any other alternative sport. It is the biggest female played sport in Kerry and Ireland.

O is for Outstanding , an accolade that could apply to many performances by Kerry girls at club and county level in 2015.  Aislinn Desmond must get particular praise for her handling of Cora Staunton against Mayo in the All Ireland quarter final match. Also special mention to Louise Ni Mhuirheartaigh who scored 1-5 in the Munster Final v Cork. O is also for the O’Connor Cup, the premier third level colleges competition, which will take place in Kerry in March 2016.

P is for Patrice. Another Kerry ladies star recognisable by her first name only, Patrice Dennehy was named on the National League Div 1 Team of the Year at corner forward for her outstanding performances throughout the campaign.

Q is for Question. Like , how did Bernie Breen not get an All Star in 2015 ? Honourable questioning must also be asked about  Louise Ni Mhuirheartaigh !!

R is for Rugby . In particular rugby 7s where Kerry senior ladies star Louise Galvin has excelled, and is now one of the main player’s on the Irish international 7’s team . Although a massive loss to the Kerry team in 2015,  Louise came on in the All Ireland semi final v Cork and made a decent impact.  R is also for referee’s , a thankless task but without whom our games couldn’t exist ! R is also for Rathmore, who in combination with Spa, won the  Senior County Championship in 2015. R is also for Referees (see H).

S is for Secretary.  Former Kerry Ladies secretary Mary Courtney stepped down at the 2015 AGM. Mary did trojan work for Kerry ladies football , she is however remaining on as a Munster Council Delegate , and we wish her the best of luck in her new role.  Joe O’ Flaherty of Finuge / St Senans takes over the helm as new County Secretary.

T is for TG4.  Their coverage of ladies football is brilliant and it gives a new exposure to the game. T is also for Tralee, a hidden power in Kerry ladies football that will hopefully come to the fore in 2016.

U is for Untapped. There is untapped potential in Kerry ladies football. U is also for underage , and if we can keep our young players playing ladies football we will surely reach our potential in the future.

V is for Victorious. And what a victory by the Kerry u/16s in winning the All Ireland title.  Manager Graham Shine , along with his selectors Julie Brosnan and Joanne Brosnan ,brought a sense of professionalism and preparation to the set up which would ultimately lead to All Ireland glory. 10 of the team are underage again for 2016, could there be more glory ahead? V is also for volunteers , the people that train the teams, wash the jerseys, make the tea, cut the oranges, arrange the fixtures !

W is for Wallop. Is there any other word to describe the feeling after the Kerry senior loss to Cork in the All Ireland semi final ?

X is for X factor. Who is going to have it in 2016? Who will step up to inspire their club to a title? Who will go on to star for Kerry?

Y is for Yes. Can we win more silverware in 2016 ? Yes , Yes , Yes we can !!!

Z is for Zero , as in Two Zero One Six…2016 !!!

Happy New Year to all !!