Anyone who doubted the strength of Ladies Football in Boston this year had their questions answered last weekend as the local sides proved the Ladies games are alive and well in Boston. In a full day of 9-a-side football Saturday, some fine individual performances and well fought challenges provided for some very entertaining games. The host team came away the eventual winners but had to work hard to fight off the challenge from the newest club in town, The Connacht Ladies.

The day did not start well for Tir na nOg who lost their first game of the day to a strong Shamrocks team who had divided their squad to make up two teams for the day. The McGovern sisters, Sharon and Edel were looking dangerous for the Shamrocks. Next up a much improved ISYL team took on the Connacht Ladies. They fought hard but could not match the intensity of the Connacht side. The future of Ladies Football looks good for Boston as the minor side showed some tremendous talent throughout the day with Caroline Nee and Meabh Moynihan leading the side and Niamh Hynes guarding the goal. Tir na nOg faired better against the second Shamrocks team and came out winners this time. Next up Shamrocks and Connacht was a well contested game where Shamrocks came out on top in the end. All was still to be played for. Tir na nOg fought off a big challenge from the ISYL girls in the next game before the Shamrocks did the same. Tir na nOg took on the Connacht team in what would eventually turn out to be the same teams as the final and Connacht were too much for Tir na nOg this time. Joanne O'Connell and Karen O'Shea were solid for Connacht. After all the group games were played Shamrocks and Connacht topped the leader board tied at 3 wins each. The semi finals were drawn Tir na nOg v. Shamrocks 1 and Connacht v. Shamrocks 2. Connacht took care of business in the first semi and Tir na nOg were finally getting in to their stride to fight off Shamrocks in the second. Time to close the day with a big final.

The final was the best game of the day and ended in a draw at full time. Connacht took off with an early lead and Tir na nOg had to fight their way back in to the game. Neither team was ready to give up yet. 4 minutes of extra time was agreed on as both teams were feeling the effects of 6 hours of play in the 90 degree heat. Caoimhe Ní Cheogáin went to on a solo run only to be taken down by cramps in both legs but managed to get a pass off before exhaustion took her down. These girls were not giving up. Tir na nOg were awarded a free which Noelle Healy converted. Tempers flared and Connacht looked to equalize before time ran out. It was not to be, as the ball was passed in to the top scorer of the day, Noelle Healy who put a second point over the bar to ensure the win for the host team. An outstanding day of football by Leanne Kehoe and captain Niamh O'Neill for Tir na nOg meant celebrations were in order in Brighton.

Thanks and well done to all the teams who took part in the day. If this weekend is a sign of things to come the rest of the ladies championship should be an exciting affair as all 3 three teams are tied on points right not. A special thanks to referees Jim O'Neil, Sean O'Donnell and James Doyle. The volunteers who helped out on the day were a huge help keeping players hydrated and Tir na nOg would like to especially thank , Paddy O' Rourke, Shane Murney and Fresh(Brian O'Hara) and of course the ever patient manager Danny Reddin.