Arranmore ladies enjoy first ever win at the All Islands Gaelic Football tournament

Arranmore ladies won their first ever competitive match on Cork’s Bere Island at last Saturday’s All Islands Gaelic Football tournament, while the men’s team also made the trip south.

The representative ladies team was put together at the wish of the late Conal Kavanagh, who passed away in March 2020. The team was formed in January 2021 and with the islands’ competition cancelled in both of the last two years, they finally got their chance last weekend, going under the name of Conal’s Cailiní. 

Arranmore ladies managed to overcome Whiddy Island 4-6 to 2-4, with Niamh Gallagher scoring 2-4 and Leah Rodgers and Orlaith Gaughran,who grabbed 1-1, also netted. Rose Boyle was a point-scorer.

In their other group game, Arranmore lost 3-10 to 2-3 against Clare Island, with Gallagher scoring 1-2 and Rogers adding a point.

Arranmore grant the late Conal Kavanagh his wish with ladies GAA team about to take to the field

Before his passing in 2020, Conal Kavanagh told Arranmore to set up a ladies GAA team and later this month a men's and ladies team representing the Inter Islands Football tournament in Cork

That meant a semi-final place, and although it was to end in a 1-9 to 5-2 loss, Arranmore certainly made a first of it and enjoyed their trip as a whole. Gallagher continued her excellent personal form with 1-6, while Shannon Brady, Katie Mulvey and Tara Gaughran all scored points. Clare Island won the final, beating Inis Mór 4-9 to 4-6.

Ladies squad: Kayla Early, Shannon Brady, Rose Boyle, Katie Mulvey, Tara Gaughran, Orlaith Gaughran, Aoife Gallagher, Niamh Proctor, Leanne Gallagher, Niamh Gallagher, Aine McCafferty, Leah Rodgers, Sophie Boyle, Aine Boyle.

The men’s team were also in action, losing 1-6 to 0-2 against Inishturk and going down 1-8 to 0-3 against Bere Island’s A team, who went on to win the tournament, overcoming Whiddy Island 4-7 to 1-4.

Men's squad: Ben Boyle, Brian Proctor, Frankie Rua Early, Michael McHugh, Conor Proctor, Gavin McGlanaghey, Sean McCauley, Gary McGhee, Brendan Greene, Aaron O’Byrne, Ben Carr, Liam Gaughran, Neil Gallagher, Dara Flanagan, Martin Proctor.

The 23rd staging of the competition saw nine islands take part, with the Donegal representation joining the hosts, as well as Windy Island (Cork),  Inis Mór, Inish Meáin, Inis Oírr (Galway) and Inishbofin (Galway), Clare Island and Inishturk (Mayo).