Man O'War Ladies Football History
The Formation of the Man O’ War Ladies Section – A Historic Beginning (1992)
In 1992, Man O’ War GAA saw the formation of its very first Ladies section. A group of enthusiastic girls aged 12 to 18 came together to form the inaugural Minor Ladies team, marking a new chapter in the club’s history.
Our first friendly match was against St. Gregory’s of Swords. Interestingly, after several years, St. Gregory’s disbanded, and many of their players joined Fingallians, leading to the formation of the Fingallian’s Ladies team. With hand-me-down jerseys from the lads’ team and a mix of shorts and socks in every colour imaginable, we set off for Swords in Henry McKenna’s trusty minibus. All 22 girls were buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Andrew McAllister from Starlights officiated the match, which was held on a Saturday afternoon at St. Finian’s Vocational School, Castlefarm, Swords.
It took the girls some time to settle into the game, but it was a tightly contested, low-scoring affair. Lucy McCormack had the honour of scoring the very first point for Man O’ War, christening the posts with a fine effort. Not all the girls played that day—some came just to support their friends and see what the team spirit was all about.
At the final whistle, the score stood:
Man O’ War: 0 goals, 5 points
St. Gregory’s: 0 goals, 5 points
A draw – and a very respectable start.
1993: Our First Competitive Season
In 1993, Man O’ War officially registered its first Ladies Minor team with Dublin LGFA. This marked a significant milestone, as we became part of the wider structure of Ladies Gaelic Football in the county.
The team was managed by Bernice Jones Moore, with coach Malachy “The Mal” O’Callaghan and Anthony “Ants” Holland. Training was held once a week, with competitive matches played every Saturday.
We were placed in a division alongside teams such as St. Margaret’s, managed by Owen O’Sullivan, and St. Gregory’s Swords, managed by Wally Galvin. The league began in April and all matches had to be completed by October, as ladies football was not permitted to be played in November at the time.
These early years were defined by passion, dedication, and the spirit of building something from the ground up. The foundation laid in 1992–paved the way for the growth and success of the Man O’ War Ladies teams in the years to come.
Man O’War Ladies Football – A Legacy of Strength and Spirit
The Man O’War Ladies Football journey continued to go from strength to strength as in 1995 with the formation of our first adult team—a group bound by passion, perseverance, and plenty of plasters in the first aid kit. Wins may have been few in those early years, but camaraderie and heart were never lacking.
In 1999, we celebrated our first major triumph, winning the Division 3 League with a spirited, diverse squad. That silverware marked the start of a growing tradition of success and development.
The early 2000s saw the roots of our strong juvenile section take hold. Many young players would go on to wear the blue for Dublin at underage and senior levels, shaping a bright future for the club.
Over the years, our Ladies teams have secured league titles, cup victories, and on the 30th October 2010. After a very tightly contested match v St Pats Donabate Our very first juvenile championship under 15 captained by Rachael Moore lifted the silverware
A milestone came in August 2003 with our first adult championship final appearance at Parnell Park. Though we faced heartbreak in finals again in 2004 and 2013, the breakthrough finally came in September 2019. Led by captain Dearbhla Sheridan, we lifted our first Adult Ladies Championship trophy after a hard-fought Junior A Final win over O’Dwyer’s.
Recent years have seen further growth and success, including appearances in two Junior G Finals and additional Minor and U16 titles.
In August 2022, we celebrated 30 years of Ladies Football at Man O’War. A community mass, a commemorative match, and an evening of reflection and celebration brought generations together. Special tribute was paid to Bernice Jones Moore, whose three decades of dedication have been instrumental in shaping our journey.
Today, our Ladies section is thriving more than ever. We proudly field two adult teams, Gaelic for Mothers & others alongside vibrant underage teams from U8 to minor—each one carrying forward a legacy built on determination, community, and pride in the jersey. Remarkably, players from our very first team are now mentoring, coaching, and supporting the next generation—ensuring that the spirit that started it all continues to shine through every player who pulls on the Man O’War jersey.
May our Man O’War ship always have enough wind to set sail.
May we always wear our jersey with pride.
May we welcome all who set foot on our field.
May we journey together for many more years to come.
And may we always show the heart, spirit, and strength that define us.
Join Us!
Ladies Football is a fun and thriving part of our club. New members are always welcome to join our club.