Antrim ladies show off their honours

Kevin Herron P.R.O. 

 Antrim ladies football team were rewarded for their All-Ireland junior success in 2012 with a civic reception in Belfast city hall last Monday night. Having beaten Louth in last year’s junior decider at Croke Park; SDLP councillor Nicola Mallon put forward a proposal for the team to be given recognition in form of a civic reception. Last Monday evening (28^th of January) the team were invited to the city hall to be honoured for their hard work and success last year.

   Belfast Lord Mayor Gavin Robinson was first to congratulate the girls for their success and wished them all the best of the season ahead and in light of the flag issue joked “I hope you can proudly fly the flag for Ulster”. Meanwhile SDLP councillor Nicola Mallon said “it was absolute pleasure to watch the team putting forward a positive face for the city of Belfast, the county of Antrim. What Antrim achieved and the pride you took upon yourself is more reflection on the Belfast I know, and the Belfast I am proud to represent. Your teamwork, commitment, determination and dedication all went a long way when you look at the skill set that Antrim had on the pitch, and off it”.

   Team manager Brian Coyle spoke of how it was a great achievement to win the title with such a youthful squad “it’s a great satisfaction to win an All-Ireland title, and to win an All-Ireland title with only four or five players over the age of 21 is a massive achievement. The future is bright in Antrim underage football”. Brian went onto speak of the pleasure of managing the team “they are an absolutely fantastic group of girls to work with. It is a pleasure and I have enjoyed it”. Coyle joked “I’m lucky enough to be in for three years, not all Lord Mayors can say that”.