The 2015 Gaelic4Girls host clubs have been announced with a record 60 clubs taking part in the initiative. The programme, which encourages participation in areas of the country where ladies gaelic football is not yet too strong, is to take place at 36 clubs throughout Ireland. 2015 will also mark the first time that the programme will be introduced to Britain where 13 clubs across 5 counties will host the programme for the first time. All participants in the course will be invited to take part in the national blitz day at Croke Park on July 6th when these young girls get the opportunity to walk out on the famous pitch for the first time.

Gaelic4Girls is a programme that encourages the introduction of ladies gaelic football to areas in which the sport is not already present or where it is particularly weak. Clubs were invited to apply to become host clubs for the Gaelic4Girls programme in January and each application was assessed based on their suitability and need for the programme. Gaelic4Girls is a key programme for the development of the game and has proven to be a great success in helping clubs that have been struggling for numbers and has also succeeded in inspiring new clubs to be set up as a result of being in host areas.

Youghal are one of the clubs taking part in the programme in 2015 and this will be their second time participating in the course having previously taken part in 2011. Youghal’s Gordon Kingsley explained why they were so anxious to be accepted into the programme in 2015.
‘This is our second time being part of the Gaelic4Girls programme and we are truly delighted to be accepted again. We previously took part in 2011 and it was a brilliant experience. We have seen the club go from strength to strength since as our team now regularly qualifies for the County League, something we could only have dreamt of back in 2010. It is great news that we are part of the programme again, the girls themselves will be delighted and, of course, the club are too as it will give us the tools that we need to secure our long term future, of course getting back to play in Croke Park again will certainly help!’