ST JOHN’S Drumnaquoile made history this year when their ladies footballers became the first team in the club to qualify to play top-tier league football.
For chairperson Mary Boyle, this was an important achievement.
“It means an awful lot to the club. In the past 40 years we have not had a team playing senior.
“It is easy to say that it is the club’s best achievement. It is the biggest thing we have won.
“It is absolutely brilliant.”
Mary was also keen to pay tribute to the players and the character they showed this season.
“They are all local girls. They have all been playing from a young age.
“The beauty of this is that they don’t get above themselves. They are very grounded.”
St John’s pride themselves on making sure that the ladies and men’s teams get an equal standing. That was highlighted when the ladies received their trophy at a ceremony, during a men’s home match.
Chairperson Mary said, “That was the first time that that has happened.
“The girls came on at half time and were awarded with their trophy.
“The underage girls were the guard of honour.”
The senior players were understandably delighted.
One of those was Cushla Savage.
She said of their achievement, “When they are looking back on this year, they will know history has been made and we were part of that.
“Next year will be the first time we will be playing senior league for the club in senior ladies football.”
Another of the senior ladies team, Aisleen Morgan, said that the success has had a great effect on the club.
“Even when we did win, I don’t think the importance of it sank in with people in the club. We just thought that we did a great job and it was brilliant. But there is a deeper meaning for people in the club.”
In the full feature, the players and management explain what made their result against Rostrevor so crucial in their run to the league title. Buy the current issue now.