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Ladies AGM (02/02/07): Grange Ladies AGM takes place on Friday Night 2nd February in Kilkea Castle Golf Club at 8.00pm.

A Meeting about under age ladies football takes place before the AGM at 6.30pm

Congratulations to the Grange ladies team who made it 4 Senior Kildare titles in a row on Sunday 13th August. Grange beat Leixlip on a scoreline of 1-11 to 1-6 in an exciting final in Sarsfields. They now go on to face the Meath champions in the first round of the leinster senior championship.

The winning panel were;
1. Emma Miller, 2. Carol Cullen, 3. Ann Hughes, 4. Lorraine Doyle, 5. Niamh Cunnane, 6. Kate Leahy, 7. Donna Berry, 8. Brianne Leahy, 9. Julie Cunningham, 10. Joanna Cullen, 11. Nicola Cunningham, 12. Naomi Nolan, 13. Aileen Duffy, 14. Sharon Conway, 15. Yvonne Murphy, 16. Laura Moran, 17. Naomi Tracey, 18. Tara Byrne, 19. Susie Byrne, 20. Geraldine O'Brien, 21. Yvonne Brennan, 22. Aisling Miller, 23. Josie Leigh, 24. Tanya McGuane, 25. Nickie Roycroft, 26. Emma Wong, 27. Tara Flood, 28. Mellissa Moran, 29. Elaine Brennan, 30. Louise Whelan

Well done to Grange 2nd team on some wonderful performances in both the league and championship this year. Although it was the girls first year playing together as a team they worked extremely hard for one another and showed a never say die attitude in all their games. Congratulations to one and all on a great season!!

History

Grangenolvin ladies football was born as a result of a charity match organised by Mrs. Theresa Hickey of Ballyroe. This match was to wet the girl's appetite for Ladies football and the following year a team was formed. The late John Carolan and Theresa Hickey were the first team managers and also that year, Paddy Conway began his long and dedicated career with the girls. Some of the original members of the team included Niamh Cunnane from Grangemellon, the Murphy sisters, Theresa and Sylvia from dairy-lands Kilkea , Sabrina and Lorraine Doyle ,daughters of Timmy Doyle SNR, Sandra and Catherine O' Brien also from Kilkea , and Geraldine O'Brien daughter of Joss O'Brien from Ballyroe to name but a few. The following year saw the introduction of the Leahy sisters Brianne and Kate, daughters of the great Johnny Leahy and Yvonne Murphy, sister of Sylvia and Theresa. Joe Donovan, (Club Chairman) current manager of the team, with the help of Paddy Conway and Seamus Davis have been the chosen selectors. Joe has worked endlessly with ladies football and would be considered the driving force in Grange Ladies football.

The first competitive match began in the 1995 season; the team was well mixed with all ages from U21s to over 30s. For most of the early years up to 1997 the team were well beaten in competition but always showed great heart and determination and has earned the respect and praise from all teams in the Province, today they are considered one of the best teams in the county today. Through the years our ladies have represented their county well with fine displays in the white jersey from Sandra and Geraldine O'Brien, Brianne and Kate Leahy, through to Sharon Conway, Yvonne Murphy, Ann Hughes, Carol Keogh, Naomi Treacy, Julie, Nicola Cunningham, Denise Brophy, Joanne Cullen, Naomi Nolan, Donna Berry, Catherine Bradley and Aileen Duffy.

The year 2000 saw the team come of age when they won the county final. They went on to the Leinster semi –final where they were beaten by Sarsfield of Laois that year. The next year (2001) Grange won the county title again and finished top of the league. They defeated Naomh Mearog of Dublin in the Leinster Club Final. They then went on to defeat Shamrocks of Clontibret in the All Ireland Semi Final. Then were beaten by Rockban from Cork in the All Ireland Final. The following year (2002) Grange won the Leinster Intermediate club Championship and was again denied by Rockban in the All Ireland semi final. That same year the ladies of grange still went on to win the league for the second year in a row. Grange was inevitably promoted to senior football for the following year, where they won their first Senior county championship by beating rivals Confey.

2005 sees Grange defending the league title for the fifth year in a row and are currently on top of the league table. The ladies have brought on board a new trainer and past club player Freddie Darling who has given them a new focus and hopes of another Leinster title this year. We wish them the best of Luck