Local soccer stars reflect on a glorious year for women’s game

Women’s soccer in Kilkenny before 1968 was virtually unheard of. Until the establishment of a local league in the same year, female players were consigned to the wilderness unable to showcase their talents.

However, what was to ensue in the late 1960s and early 1970s would not only begin a long history for Kilkenny women’s soccer, but grant four local women the opportunity to unleash their football prowess on the international stage, wearing the famous green jersey against the mighty French in 1973.

Kay Brennan (Ramsbottom), Connie Jordan and Anne Griffith chat like old friends and, as I join them at their table, immediately apologise for Ursula Grace’s absence due to work commitments. But, as the conversation quickly develops and without a moment’s hesitation, the trio immediately share laughs and memories from their early playing days.

The formation of Club Kilkenny was where it all started. Established by Fr Jerry Joyce, it gave women players across the city and county the opportunity to play in organised competition. Local tyre factory, Fit Remoulds, soon followed, as employees with the company, Michael Walshe founded the company’s first women’s soccer team, entering the inaugural Irish Women’s Cup. What was to come next, very few could have expected.

Three final appearances and two victories signified a high level of talent and work rate on and off the pitch under the Fit Remoulds brand in 1972 and under the Evergreen Ladies umbrella in 1973 and 1974.

“We had loads and loads of teams (with Fit Remoulds). It escalated from there. That’s where we really started playing soccer,” Kay Brennan said.

Despite the heights the former internationals reached in their playing careers, the excitement wasn’t any less prominent at a local level.

“I used to wait for the paper to come out each week to see what was going to be on about us. It made a huge difference,” a nostalgic Connie Jordan stated.

The local competitions brought back many highlights for the three women, recalling a number of experiences in Club Kilkenny, playing football alongside their male counterparts, a factor that never instilled any feelings of inferiority for the three women.

International call ups soon followed, raising the stakes and creating much uncertainty.

Anne Griffith was the first Kilkenny woman to play for Ireland against Wales.

“The first time we played together was in the match. You just went out and played. We had one training session in France but we really didn’t get to train or get to know the players,” she said.

“We were all natural soccer players, we weren’t being coached,” Kay claimed.

However, the lack of coaching didn’t hinder their enjoyment of the game.

“We didn’t know any better, you were just delighted to get out and play.”

Anne, on the other hand, has no regrets, believing it was a period in time, but would love to get an insight into how the game has developed today.

Taking time off work by any means possible and leaving family behind were just some of the sacrifices made by the players on this journey. A sacrifice only acknowledged this year by the FAI and Evergreen with the presentation of their caps and a number of functions taking place in their honour, including at the Women’s FAI Cup Final.

Although the local players wished recognition had come sooner, they hold no regrets with the formation of friendships and an introduction to the French baguette experiences they will cherish forever.

“The whole year has stretched, it’s about time the FAI honoured the players, the KDL recognised we brought back the first national titles to Kilkenny,” Kay remarked with a lump in her throat.