SPORT: Council makes presentation to Rush GAA team 

FINGAL County Council recently made a presentation to a local club to mark its significant achievement in Gaelic football.

St Maurs GAA Club was honoured to mark their success in winning the 2016 All-Ireland Ladies’ Junior Football Championship.

This was the first All-Ireland title won by Rush club in its 88-year history.

The team showed great character, determination and plenty of skill to beat the Cork and Munster champions, Kinsale, by 2-13 to 3-8 in the final at Dr Cullen Park in Carlow.

Eadaoin McGuinness, captain of the team, said in her victory speech that this was not only a victory for the team but for her club and the parish of Rush, and by holding this presentation in their honour the council was making it clear that this was also a great victory to be savoured for the county of Fingal.

Speaking at the presentation event in Swords, Mayor of Fingal Cllr Darragh Butler said: “Myself, and my fellow councillors, as elected members of the council, know the positive impact that this victory will have not only in Rush but right across Fingal and there is a great sense of pride at what you have achieved.

“At a time when we need female role models in sport, you have a provided a squad full of great ambassadors not only for St Maur’s and Rush but for also for Fingal and Dublin.

“It came as no surprise when your inter-county star, Olivia Leonard, was named as the Fingal Sportsperson of the Year for 2016 following her exploits for club and county last year.”

While the event was primarily to honour the ladies’ team tribute was also paid to everybody else at the St Maur’s club for the tremendous work they do in Rush by providing football, hurling, ladies football and camogie for all ages. Getting people active in sport and improving their wellbeing is becoming more and more important within the community as a whole was emphasised at the event.