Kilkenny women’s soccer goes back to where it all began

Fifteen leading lights of Kilkenny women’s soccer were reunited at the weekend as they celebrated their extraordinary achievements from over 50 years ago.

The first legends of the local game were given a civic reception by Mayor Cllr David Fitzgerald at City Hall, before they travelled to John’s Park for the unveiling of a special plaque and a celebration dinner.

The day began with the civic reception, where the Mayor presented each of the players with a parchment listing their achievements.

Playing as Fit Remoulds AFC, they played in the inaugural Irish Women’s Soccer Cup Final in 1972. They lost 0-1 to Suffragettes, Dublin.

The Kilkenny team also played the 1972 inaugural Irish Women’s Cup Final at St John’s Park, Kilkenny City - a unique game in that it happened at O’Loughlin Gaels GAA grounds!

Playing as Evergreen LAFC they won the next two cup finals, beating Avengers of Dublin 2-0 at Galway in 1973 and Galway Town 2-1 in 1974 at Kilkenny.

 Evergreen LAFC, the first Kilkenny team to win a national soccer title at any level either male or female, were founder members of the Women’s National League of Ireland in 1973.

Four Kilkenny women - Anne Griffith, Kay Ramsbottom, Connie Jordan and Ursula Grace - won international caps for the Republic of Ireland across games versus Wales, Northern Ireland and France.

The international game versus Wales played at Stebonheath Park, Llanelli in May 1973 was Ireland’s first Women’s international game. Anne Griffith, Kay Brennan and Ursula Grace all had been chosen for the game but only Anne was able to play.

At City Hall the Mayor was very gracious in his congratulatory message to the women and their guests, who included team manager and coach Michael Walshe. Anne Griffith Fit Remoulds/Evergreen LAFC Captain and Kilkenny’s first international women’s player responded on behalf of her colleagues. Rob Higton, Chairman of the Kilkenny & District League, spoke in glowing terms of the women and their achievements. Donie Butler read a remembrance prayer/poem by Charles Dickens ‘These Things Shall Never Die’ for departed team colleagues.

In the evening, sporting ecumenism was very evident when events moved onto St John’s Park where a commemorative plaque was unveiled by Mayor Fitzgerald and the special guest of honour, Piltown’s Karen Duggan, who was capped 35 times by the Republic of Ireland.

The players, who received Kilkenny & District League certificates acknowledging their National Cup achievements from Karen Duggan, were treated to a champagne reception on arrival at O’Loughlin Gaels clubhouse and a beautiful meal was enjoyed by the 30 players and guests.

Donie Butler Honorary Trustee of the Kilkenny & District League and event Convenor paid a special thanks to O’Loughlin Gaels GAA club and Joan Galwey, Honorary Secretary replied on behalf of the club. Donie also extended his thanks to the sponsors of the events, Fran Grincell Properties, Kilkenny & District League, Evergreen AFC and Glanbia Nutritionals.

A most relaxed and enjoyable evening was had by the players at the Balcony Lounge at O’Loughlin’s overlooking the playing field where they had performed their skills in that first final in 1972. Most of the time was spent reminiscing and recalling great stories and few tall tales or two about events of 50 years ago!

Congrats to the Kilkenny Soccer Belles and heroines of 1972-1974.