Limerick's trailblazing women's soccer internationals honoured

A GROUP of Limerick women who played in the first Republic of Ireland senior soccer internationals 50 years ago are being celebrated for their trailblazing exploits on the playing pitch.

A total of six players from Limerick represented the Rep of Ireland women's side during their inaugural four internationals in 1973. The six players were Mary Gavin and Geraldine Grace, who started in the first international, and Marion Slattery who were involved in the first two internationals, while Mary Joyce, Pauline Maher and Freda Noonan also featured in the team's early fixtures.

Pauline Maher became the first player from Limerick to score for the Rep of Ireland at senior level when she netted against Northern Ireland in October 1973.

The first women to pull on the Ireland jersey to represent the Women's National Team in official games were reunited recently at a special event.

As part of the Football Association of Ireland's 50-Year Anniversary Celebrations of Women and Girls' Football, the trailblazing women who first featured for Ireland in 1973 were honoured at The Westin Hotel, Dublin.

Representing eight different counties, the women who helped Ireland defeat Wales 3-2 on May 13, 1973 and who beat Northern Ireland 4-1 on June 3, 1973 in Bluebell, Dublin were reunited for the first time in five decades.

At a lunch event, each of the players received a special gift to mark the occasion, which was attended by Minister of State at Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Thomas Byrne, Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy, FAI President Gerry McAnaney and FAI CEO Jonathan Hill.

Along with the players, there were also a number of key personnel who helped to create the early foundations of women and girls' football at both domestic and international level in Ireland present at the event.

The players will be special guests of the current Ireland WNT at their International Friendly against France on July 6 in Tallaght Stadium - their final home game before the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand this summer.

Limerick woman Mary Clery (nee Joyce) played 11 games for the Rep of Ireland senior side and was captain on one occasion.

She also lined out for Limerick, Ballynanty Athletic and Analog Devices with whom she worked.

Mary said: “I am very proud to have been a pioneer of Women’s international soccer and no doubt the current squad have their inspiration from the early trailblazers.

“I for one am proud for what they have achieved and now it’s their turn to inspire the future players of the women's team.”

As part of the 50-year anniversary celebrations of the Ireland Women’s National Team, the Football Association of Ireland has committed to honour all players who have represented the nation at senior women’s level.

In order to recognise the contributions of so many women involved with the National Team over the last five decades, every player who featured for the senior team in an official game will receive a one-off commemorative cap that will feature a unique 50-Year crest.

1973 was also the inaugural year of the Ladies League of Ireland competition and the Limerick Ladies team were the first winners under the management of Frank ‘Junior’ Keane. The ladies retained the league in 1974 and were the first winners of the Ladies FAI Cup in 1975.