The growth of the G4M&O initiative over the past three years has been one of the most interesting phenomenon in Irish sport over the past five years.   The number of participating clubs has risen from 220 to over 500 in the space of three years with 81 new clubs established in 2024 alone.

On Saturday last, close to 3,000 women made the trip to the Naomh Mearnóg, Portmarnock and St Sylvester’s, Malahide for the G4M&O Sports Direct National Festival Day as the association celebrates 50 years of Ladies Gaelic Football.

138 Gaelic4Mothers&Others clubs from all 32 counties registered for the chance to sample the unique atmosphere of the festival day, which provided the opportunity for a great  get together and to play games in a non-competitive and fun environment. 

Games on 23 pitches commenced at 12.00 pm and live music commenced after the final games. A silent disco and the Sports Direct zone were also part of the attractions on the day, while the 2FM Roadcaster was on site from 12.00 pm, with presenters Roz Purcell and Emma Power bringing a flavour of the event into homes across the country. Our own Lisa, Sarah and Niamh went on air with Roz and Emma and did their ‘woohoos and Up Shamrocks’ for the nation at large. 

The Mullingar Shamrocks team was one of 138 teams participating in this amazing spectacle of football and fun. 

The Mullingar Shamrocks ladies played a total of 5 matches against teams from Limerick, Galway, Dublin, Down and Monaghan. A wonderful day was had by all and some fantastic football was played. Some idea of the fun, games and colour associated with the festival and with the G4M&O in general can be seen from the photographs attached. 

 

No wonder the ladies look forward to another blitz in The Downs in a few weeks’ time.