The British Championships Summary

What a year girls?!!? I can honestly say, on behalf of all final year students on the team, this football team has given me some of the best memories of my student life! This season didn't actually begin until after Christmas, but the dedicated team that we are, and, with the dedicated manager we have, us JMU ladieeez were out training from October (much to our disgust!). Our first competitive match took place on the 3rd of February, against Hope Uni., in which we played them in 4 quarters, and need I say...beat them every time!

In preparation for the British Championship, the team which had welcomed many new and talented players, endured many painful but worthwhile training sessions..(remember the one on the 7th of Feb. when we had to sprint diagonally across the pitch...good Jaysis??!). The championships finally took place on the weekend of the 23rd of Feb., after much deliberation on its location. After Manchester was deemed "unplayable" by everyone's favourite referee (Hackett) we had the memorable trek to Teeside. Although us Liverpool lasses travelled in the height of luxury (only da best for us scallies?!?!) with an entourage of Mercedes A-Class cars, and not forgetting Michelle's Fiesta and the sexy Skoda of dat Dolan wan !

The draw gave us an easy ride (!?) against Hope, who proved that they can actually play football if they try, although they still have to resort to durt-bird tactics (Gemma Collins being da main culprit here) and bribing the referees. It was a close call, but we maintained our pride and put on an unbelievable display of fancy football in the second half, to come back and draw with those "no Hopers" .

Next up was Stirling, who were the underdogs of the whole tournament. Being fair we made a rapid recovery from the shock of drawing with Hope, and got our confidence back to beat Stirling (ders no other way of puttin it really...we slaughtered them!)...even though we were playing against 16 players...Garryowen of Hope Uni was reffing, but even his efforts couldn't hide the score-line.

In the sleet and snow, the semi-final draw brought us up against Newman College of Birmingham, who have grown to be close friends of JMU. Probably due to a bit of luck (and the fact that all their players were out on the tear the night before!) we beat Newman with a respective display of football, and found ourselves in the final of the British Universities Gaelic Football Final, against our bestest friends....Strawberry Hill!!!

We tried our best, but it simply wasn't good enough. St. Mary's Strawberry Hill are an outstanding team, and had a big enough panel of players to field a different 15 every match. As far as the football is concerned, we outplayed them, it was the simple fact that we weren't fit enough to last the pace. But we will definitely not have that excuse next year...'cos we're gonna win the cup next year...righ' ?!??!?!

Back to da 'pool to drown our sorrows we had a "quickie" in the union and then it was off to Shenanigans for a singsong (do I hear Aisling offering a wee tune!?) and some more drink. The Manager of the Month housed a partaaay that night, and with the musical talents of Genevieve on the boghran, and the lovely singing voice of Rachael (?!?) a good night was had by all....especially that Felicia one who was doing a bit of furniture removals at the end of the night, but enough said about that the better!??!

I want to take this opportunity to thank Niall for his time, effort and patience with us all this year. Also, I wana say a momentary "ta-ra" to the team...but don't worry I'm sure all the final year students will be back to watch yiz lift the British Championship Cup next season!!!
.........Who da fuck are Strawberry Hill anyway!?!?!?!?!?

Now that the formalities are out da way, let the fun begin..........hold yer heads high with pride!!!!!! (and remember..it's only a bit of banter ok!!??!)

PAULA DALTON
We'll start off with Pogues no.1 fan (as opposed to the managers no.1 fan?!). There was one hell of a void to fill after the departure of Alice, but Ms. Dalton not only exceeded herself in her new position on the pitch, she also provided top class entertainment off it!!(not mentioning Conal Doherty's party here!?!)

AISLING DEVLIN
"I feel a song comin' on" !!!.....love songs being the order of the day where Asho is concerned! However who are these love songs being sung to?!?!?!....
We all thought Ronan Ward was the man of her dreams, but being the hot blooded Irish woman that she is, she longed for a red-head, not once.....but twice!?!?(put those claws away Felicia!). It took her a year to actually join the team, but it was well worth the wait, and young Devlin did Armagh Finn Harps proud this season.

BREDA TRAVERS
Well well....where do we start with Ms. Travers!? We all know how Breda made the first team and became captain fantastic in second year, but we all innocently thought it was just exemplary group work between the manager and the captain!?!?(Oh how wrong we were!). She was the most consistent player all season. Even though she's a natural forward she proved herself a very capable and versatile player at the back (Yeah and in the back bar of Shenanigans aswell!!!)

RACHAEL McGINN
Chairperson, captain, defender and all round good-egg....YEA RIGH' !?!?!?
Without Raza "Terminator" McGinn there would be no team....but God weren't the Hope managerial staff happy when she did come on the scene!? Garryowens was the first (and probably only true love) that Raquel spread da luv with!! Other conquests that warrant a mention (and surprisingly they play for JMU!?) are Sexy Shaun Nealson, the Bombshell Burns and not forgetting Delicious Dermot !?!? But that was all before Rach showed her true allegiance to the Hope Men's Team...there was Brian, and sure she kept it in the family and snogged his wee bro' aswell (why not !??!).
However this Tyrone Tramp took the biscuit last week when she found "Shane" (her boyfriend?!?!) and brought him back to Jubilee Drugs Drive. These two love birds provided live entertainment in the form of Kareoke until the early hours of the morning...the best bit being Rachael performing Didos' "Thank You" to Shano (for giving her the best day of her life!?). The perfect couple are still going steady...well, as steady as they were on Sunday night, which when I think if it wasn't steady at all ...due to the fact that they were bladdered!!
One of the biggest talents on the team and a real character for all the men to be wary of (even ones from as far away as Newcastle!??!?!)

CLAIRE McCULLAGH
A clear favourite with the Bangor men Miss Mc Cullagh proved herself not only an ace with da boyz, but also as a very talented half-back. Congratulations to "our Clur" for an outstanding performance in Teesside, which was commented on by many of the other players and her peers. (especially that lad with da Hope team in the orange socks...what was his name?!?!)

GENEVIEVE CAMPELL
Da madting from Monaghan keeps her cards very close to her chest (or so she thinks?!) and always displayed a solid performance at Centre Half Back. She is also not afraid to speak her mind...which Sean Hackett learnt the hard way! This "Kerry-maid" is a classy Centre Half Back...but has she been receiving some extra tuition from her counterpart on the men's team we wonder!???!(it's not really for me to say!!)

FELICIA MATHESON
This innocent first year broke all our heart last week with her antics in da Razzamatazz with the Randy Red-Head himself!! It'll take us all some time to get over this, but do spare a thought for da Devlin one, who liked him sooo much she went back for more!?
Felicia is an excellent half back that's so fit it leads us to believe that she's running on Duracell batteries...or is it that white powdery stuff she takes!??!

CAROLINE DIGBY
This city slicker was adopted from that Brunnel crowd....and what a find she was?!!? The heart of our midfield is such an easily excited young lady! i.e. gettin excited for training sessions (why oh why!??!)...and being absolutely de-li-ra when we eventually got goin' to Teesside!!! We've done well in teaching you the few "focal Gaelige" and a bit of Irish slang, but Caroline...you taught us the meaning of team spirit.

DONNA FERGUSON
This Fermanagh Floozy came back from injury, ready and raring to go for the British Championships. O'Neills' most popular barmaid proved herself a definite asset to the team, even tho' she nearly wasn't allowed play!?!?(try remembering yer library card next year Dazza!)

MAEVE GALLAGHER
What can I say about Mavis?!? Our top scorer (we mean points, not men!) of the British Championships, with the trademark Tri-colour round her head put on an outstanding performance throughout the year. She's always at the heart of the craic and badness and always up for a session, especially in Pogues (let me jog your memory for you Maeve....Paul from Tyrone?!) Always friendly and approachable...especially by policemen on Slater Street......in other words a Pisshead!!!

FIONA McGEE
By fuck, this is one wild child?! Our Ian Paisley impersonator from the county of Down is also bosom buddies with Gemma Collins! We observed a holier-than-thou side to Fiona on Noreens' 21st, when she had Jesus (known to his close friends..and Fiona as Jay!) and 2 of his disciples followed her around the American Bar, lookin' for the Holy Grail...or maybe it was the Immaculate Conception?!??
Ms McGee is one of our strong forwards and showed her dedication by playing through the pain of shin splints during the Championships. But whatever you do Fiona... "Ulster still says No!!"

ORELA MACKEN
The wee Mexican in our team who has had an outstanding performance this year, one of the most dedicated players and gives any defender a run for their money. With her "speedy Gonzalies" skills she scored highly on and off the field….she was un-stoppable!
Off the field Orela's was an ole romantic at heart, out-side the union toilets being her passionate place….eh Noel? In the Raz-ma-taz she was quite a dancer with pretty boy Francis and in the union with our very own Sean Nealson. She is a friendly girls 'our Orela', who won the league …..7, proud of you kid! But football is not the only talent, Orela has an eye for men's fashion, that she insisted on keeping Daveys boy tie in return for a wee court….well sure it was his best tie.
In regards to the "Dark-side" (Hope) Orela has been a true Jedi Knight, standing her ground with her straw and Smirnoff Ice on the union stage….no Hope tosser were going to push her off.
Orela will be a big loss next year as she is one of the fastest forward in our team and gives every defender a hard time…..but St Paddy's 2002 is a date….

FIONA Mc CARNEY
Fiona (or the passion wagon as she's more recently known as!!) just joined the team after Christmas...and by God were we glad that she did! An amazing young talent who will inspire many new and existing players next year. We are also in awe of her snogging stamina and talent at whippin' up a different boy every time she's out on the tiles!!!

ROSIE MOLLOY
Rosie played a blinder as full forward all season, and also proved her spying skills by gettin' all the inside info from the Hope lads! She also made a true friend for life with Gemma Collins in Teesside! Disregarding her obvious links with the "ould enemy", Rosie will be a very influential player next year, and hopefully will rekindle her friendship with "Gentle Gemma" in the new season!!

MICHELLE O'DONNELL
This Soccer Supreme turned Gaelic Genius has shown many talents...on and off the pitch! One of the most dedicated players on the team, always full of enthusiasm and entertainment, will be a great loss to the team next year....obviously by the Ladies team...but I'm sure some of the lads will miss ye aswell...ye know like Noel Burns and Rory McManus!?!?!?

NOREEN DOLAN
This Welsh Wannabe (whose favourite chat-up line is "D'ye want a crisp"?!?) showed some silky skills in scoring this year...but that's enough about the men!!
.....From her first solo 2 years ago against Hope, Noreen has developed her talents and has been dubbed our super sub! Appointed the entertainment officer last year, wee Noreen has truly justified her post. It did take its' toll near the end of the year however, and she took a well need rest...but Noreen, ye could've waited till you were tucked up in your bed to fall asleep, instead of just conking out on the stage in the union...on a Friday night!!?!??

SARAH LEACH
Lanky Leach was welcomed to the art of Gaelic Football with a body slam in the Hope game...but that didn't stop her giving her all for the team throughout the season. Saza is our cross-community representative...and has held numerous meetings in her bedroom discussing the gap between the English and the Irish. She has alleviated the problem somewhat...Deccy and Brendan are truly converted anyway!!?!

LEANNE TUCKER
The hostess with da mostess like a few beverages... "Sherry" being her favourite tipple!??!
The transport co-ordinator for the team, always gave great support to all, on and off the pitch......I think Alan Kellet would agree here!! Another super-sub, little Miss Tucker rarely missed training and can add Gaelic Football to the list of "things she learnt in da 'pool" !!!

DERBHAILE FLANAGAN
Flanagan....how long have we got?!?! Thinking back to the days of Sean Hackett and Noel Burns, our Dearbh has always been a hit with da men! One wild woman...who said she got the best nights sleep in 2 years after a days football in Teesside and who also ended up gettin sloshed the night before her first exam !! A legend on the team...not only for her badness (fuck knows theres enuff of it?!) but also for her footballing talent and continued support...it will be dearly missed next year.

KERRY DOHERTY
Our Manc and another super-sub is one of the favourites with da boyz. A dedicated player who never missed a training session....... or a drinkin session for that matter!!!! A bit of a disco diva whose favourite song just has to be... "Frankie, do you remember me?!?"
Another successful convert to the game of Gaelic and a gal who will be missed next year.

MAIRE DOBBIN
G'day Sheila...throw another shrimp on the Barby!??!? Maire can be described as a die-hard for the Razz and Pogues, and of course the football team...although this is where I get confused...it's the men's team she's really a fan of....especially goalies methinks?!?!(Dermot Breen name is not gona be dragged up again ok?!?!) Maire is always there to support us and give us 110% effort...and is always ready for a sesh!!

NIALL MEENAN
The psychopath who without, all this would never have happened (oh...so its him we blame??!?). A smoothie who can work his way through a team as easy as a hot knife through butter!! A great manager, who I must say does a fuckin' deadly impression of the Incredible Hulk as witnessed by party-goers at a certain Conal Dohertys house...but enuff said about that!! Motivation is one of his many talents...but its the pure method of his motivation that makes us such a brilliant team.....well really its only the fact that if he says run faster, we run faster just to shut him up te fuck!! Never have a team had such pounding headaches so much so, that they forgot about their aching legs.....and its all down to that Mouthpiece!!
Seriously, thanks for all the effort, dedication...and of course the entertainment Meenan!!

Last word:

Dear all,
Just as wee note to say thanks for the best 2 years of college life, there have been some great times……you could never dreamed up. From the early days of starting the team, all the social night outs for team spirit…..more like vodka and barcardi spirit! Away to Birmingham for the weekend, hosting Bangor in Liverpool and wrecking the union that night! Never letting Hope beat us in any game…a draw once….but never actually beating us in two years…..let it continue and finally reaching the British Championships this year….its been amazing.
We have became great friends and we would die for each other on and off the field. There have been some tricky times…i.e. O'Neills ….but its just added to the craic! (remember begging around Liverpool!!!!)
Football has brought us together and we will always have a special memory in L'pool not for the college but the weekends away with the team and the 'Meetings'….that always lead on to a night out!!!
Just wanted to thank everyone for their help, you have all helped out in your own special way to make this Gaelic football team possible. I hope next year the team will continue on, as I know the talent is there. I wish you all luck in your degree and most of us 3rd years will be back to see you all next year…hopefully with the British Championship cup…..

Thanks,
Rachael