Moate LGFA go the extra mile with inaugural solos event
Moate Ladies Football Club recently held their inaugural 'Mile of Solos' event on the Old Rail Trail greenway in Moate.
It was a unique and simple community event for the club which focused on one of the fundamental skills of Gaelic football, the solo. Over 100,000 solos were performed in about 30 minutes on the day.
The participants (female, male, young and old) simply turned up with a football and started to solo at the old railway station. They headed towards Athlone on the greenway and turned at the Mount Temple Road and returned to the station. Players from nursery level right up to 'Mothers and Others' took part, and it was a great event all round.
The event itself saw the debut of the new club mascot 'Setanta the Panda' and a few of his doppelgangers, and with the name taken from the legend in Irish mythology, it symbolises the strength of the club.
Setanta took part in the 'Mile of Solos' and was a huge hit with the participants with both young and old wearing panda face paint by the end of the day. Setanta is sure to be seen throughout the remainder of the season at training sessions, blitzes and matches.
2024 will be remembered as a historical year for the club as it celebrated its 30th year, while one of the club's founders, Trina Murray, is President elect of the LGFA in their 50th year. It is safe to say Moate Ladies are here to stay and develop.
As is the case in women’s sport globally, the Moate club has seen an explosion in new members in the last two years with new players joining at every age level. The club is home to one of the strongest 'Gaelic for Mothers and Others' groups around and with an influx of new committee members, coaches and supporters, the Moate Ladies Football Club is well positioned to grow in the years ahead.
Attention has already turned to next year’s Mile of Solos event and the committee have some creative ideas to expand the event even further.
If you're living in the Moate area and are looking for an outlet for female sport, then look no further. Young and old are welcome, just contact the club via their Facebook page.
*See this week's Westmeath Independent for more photos.