In just a few years Passage West Ladies Football has grown from strength to strength. Club chairman Michael O'Mahony opened the club and soon had the kettles boiling for what was to come. He did not realise as Francis McEveney had not told him what he had arranged. Francis told Michael the chairman of the club he had invited a few teams and he needed the club opened early. As the kettle was boiling the members were bringing in plates of sandwiches and cakes. Eurospar the local supermarket arrived with hundreds of cakes and sandwiches .You should have seen the face on Michael O'Mahony when Francis told him he had invited 36 teams to the club in a mini under 8s and 10s girls football blitz. Not just that, but Francis had achieved in getting the president of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association to travel from Wexford for the 10.30am start. Once all was set up the club burst into life, or panic, but Francis had everything planned and Austin O'Conner sorted all the cars out.

The Ballyphehane pipe band arrived for the team parade. The local guards helped out with the extra traffic and as soon as the clubs were sorted out the parade stared with Passage West leading the way with their mentors Sue O'Flynn and Gena Patterson. Then at least 800 girls followed with their club flags and banners. As the 36 teams (Passage West, Shamrocks, Carrigaline, Douglas, St Michaels, Ballypheane, Nemo Rangers, St Vals, Inch Rovers, Mayfield, Youghal, Glanmire, Donoughmore, Kilshannig, Ballincollig, Eire Og, Cloyne and Grenagh) started to flow in, all of a sudden the club was packed with people from the different clubs. All you could hear was kids saying look at that team they are big i hope we are not playing them. This was a fabulous site to see with all of the clubs marching behind the Ballyphehane pipe band and shouting their clubs name. You would think this was the All-Ireland final, and to them it was. Whoever was asleep in the neighbouring houses were soon awake and looking out their windows with their sleepy eyes

As they entered the club grounds the President of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, Pat Quill, Seamus McGrath, Passage West Mayor, and Derek Connelly, Manager of Club Sponsor - Eurospar, joined in the march and the parents of all the girls started the cameras snapping and camcorders rolling. They entered the field and lined up around the front of the club house to listen to the speeches and words of thanks.

With speeches over and Derry Doody acting as M.C. for the day, all was going well, no rain, and adults and kids all over the place. It was great to see such life and excitement

Inside, the club was like a restaurant. There was no need for any miracle of the loaves and fishes here – as plenty of food was prepared and supplied by our own Club members – so a huge thanks to them. The club put on a spread fit for the President, and by the end of the day there wasn't a crumb left with people well fed and watered. Eurospar supplied the cakes for the day and thanks again to all the staff for helping the club. Rugby match on inside, games running off out in the field, parents screaming with smiles across their faces as their little girls played their matches.

There were medals for all and a special thank you to Cork Senior Ladies Footballer's, Briege Corkery and Nollaig Cleary, who gave up their time for the 800 kids. They spent over 2 hours chatting and giving out medals and stayed to make sure every single player received their medal. (best of luck to Briege, Nollaig and the Cork team as they take on Monaghan in the All-Ireland final on Sunday Sept 25th). Thanks to all who helped on the day, club members, local sponsors, Ballyphehane Pipe Band, and to the 36 teams who attended with their families, friends, and supporters.

As the day came to an end the news came through that the Cork Senior B Ladies Football team won their All-Ireland final against Dublin. Passage West had Sinead O'Reilly playing on the Cork team. Well done Sinead from all of Passage West. Your father came back to Passage with a huge smile on his face and red eyes from crying with joy. Sinead is a great role model for the girls in the club as they see how hard she trains, the ambition she has, the great attitude, and she will still make time to work with younger girls and help out. Hopefully in time to come some of our younger girls will follow in her footsteps and wear the Rebel red. Well done again.