18 teams and 160 girls from eight clubs around Dublin met on the Monastery Road on Sunday March 8th for the Under 9 girls football blitz, reports Maria Shannon.
It was a sunny but nippy Monastery Road as Round Towers welcomed seven clubs from across the city and county to play in the under nine girls football blitz.
The 18 teams were made up of 160 girls from home club Round Tower, Na Fianna, Kilmacud Crokes, St. Finians Swords, Raheny, Ballinteer St. Johns, Naomh Olaf and Thomas Davis.
Throw-in for the games commenced at 1pm and each team played four matches of 10 minutes each with 7 to 9 players a side. Everybody got a game, there were unlimited subs and plenty of fun was had by all.
Despite a strong enough breeze, the girls – all of whom were aged between 7 and 8 – were still going for scores and there was plenty of skill on display; kick and hand passes, side stepping, tackling, high catches and some great defending.
Ken Byrne, Round Tower Under 8 Mentor said: “This years blitz followed on from a very successful blitz we hosted last November that saw 15 teams participate. So the numbers participating has grown and the feedback we received from the visiting clubs and also parents was extremely positive. It’s really a celebration of girls football and it provides them with a brilliant opportunity to play against girls from a host of different clubs and to develop their skills in a fun setting. We are strongly focused on developing girls football at juvenile level and this event showcases the fun and enjoyment for girls who learn the skills of Gaelic Games.”
All the girls played fantastically well and there were smiles all round with goody bags at the end for everyone who took part.
There were lots of volunteers on the day, from game co-ordinators on the three pitches to registration to tea and coffee – all of whom made the day run smoothly.
Get Fresh on the Monastery Road sponsored the fruit for the blitz and Bernard O’Sullivan who provided yoghurt drinks and juices for everyone on the pitch.
Round Towers would like to thank the 7 clubs, their teams, mentors and parents for travelling for Clondalkin for the blitz.
The Under 8 Girls train every Thursday at 5.45pm at Monastery Road and new players are very welcome. Contact Ken at 087 9983484, Alice at 087 0996636 or Marie at 087 6774556.
