The Association was founded on July 18, 1974, at Hayes’ Hotel in Thurles – the birthplace of the GAA.
A celebration of the organisation’s first 50 years will be held in Semple Stadium where exhibition will be held during an event hosted by Marty Morrissey,
Kitty Ryan-Savage spoke this morning about her experience as captain of the first ever women’s football team to win the All-Ireland in 1974.
Ryan-Savage was captain of the Tipperary team when they won the first All-Ireland, defeating Offaly 2-3 to 2-2. She reminisced on how the team “got a lot of publicity at the time” when they brought the cup home.
Asked how she felt about the progress that has been made in women’s football in the past 50 years, Ryan-Savage said it was “magnificent”.
“We didn’t realise at the time how it was going to take off,” she told Newstalk Breakfast. She continued to say she was “delighted” with the progress the sport has made over the past 50 years.
Ryan-Savage noted that she is “not so keen on the type of football that’s being played now”, saying that she felt it was too defensive.
The LGFA is calling on clubs and counties to help them celebrate the anniversary through the month of July.
Looking ahead to today’s event, LGFA President, Mícheál Naughton, commented: “50 years ago, at Hayes Hotel in Thurles town, our Association officially came into being.
“What a journey we’ve been on for the last half a century and last Sunday at Croke Park, the sport of Ladies Gaelic Football was one of four practices granted formal State recognition as part of Ireland’s living cultural heritage.
“Today, we’ll be looking at key milestones throughout our Association’s rich history and we’ll be joined by so many people who have played key roles along the way, including former Association Presidents, county board officials, founding members of the Association, legendary players from across LGFA history, and sponsors.
“That small group of people who got together on July 18, 1974, to set up the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, surely could never have imagined the journey that would follow.
“Those firsts include the introduction of our various competitions down through the years – and those firsts include the breaking down of so many barriers.
“More recent times have also seen incredible growth at grassroots levels with our thriving development initiatives, including Gaelic4Mothers&Others, winner of a prestigious award recently, Gaelic4Teens and Gaelic4Girls, all now proudly sponsored by LGFA partners.
“On the playing fields, we’ve been treated to countless magical moments. There have been eras of dominance, breakthrough moments, legendary players celebrated and inducted into our Hall of Fame.
“Today is a day to cherish and to celebrate all that is good about Ladies Gaelic Football.”
