Ladies football in fast lane

THE Ladies Football Association, Cumann Peil Gael na mBan, beat off competition from other sporting organisations in negotiating what Chief Executive Helen O’Rourke described as ‘a substantial’ sponsorship package with Suzuki.

The Japanese car company is the first sponsor of the Association’s National League competition which will feature debutants Kilkenny along with second teams from six counties, including Dublin. In another historic breakthrough, championship sponsors TG4 will show the Division One final of the League ‘live’ at the end of April.

Helen O’Rourke told a gathering of officials and player representatives from each of the 32 counties that ladies football is now the fastest growing sport in Ireland. And Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, the special guest at yesterday’s formal launch in Croke Park, said he could to attest to that fact from his many visits to GAA clubs nationwide.