It’s All Ireland ladies football weekend and Ballyboden have a particular interest in proceedings in the senior final in that two members of our senior side are in opposition in the big match between Dublin and Galway.
Representing the sky blues will be twice Celtic cross winner Rachel Ruddy while lining out for Galway will be current all star defender Sinead Burke hoping to win her first all Ireland title.
In an amazing twist of fate both of their fathers,Rachel’s dad Vivian and Sinead’s dad Pat, were near neighbours in Achill Co.Mayo and actually played football together for their local parish winning a junior Mayo championship medal in 1983 for Achill GFC.They followed different footballing paths subsequently Vivien playing in Dublin for Ballyboden Wanderers while Pat ended up in Galway playing for Oughterard. Both men are staunch Mayo men’s senior team followers but when it comes to the ladies game they are their daughters number one supporters.
So no matter which team ends up victorious on Sunday, both Ballyboden St.Endas and Achill are the real winners.
Best of luck Rachel and Sinead from all at Ballyboden and from the people of Achill of course.