School children in the Donegal Gaeltacht areas are set to benefit from a special gaelic football programme, it has been announced.
Minister Joe McHugh was speaking after spending plans for the programme were discussed as part of the Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht’s allocations for Budget 2019.
It is intended that the programme will be run by the Donegal Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association which has dozens of Irish-speaking coaches in clubs throughout the Gaeltacht in the county.
Minister McHugh said: “The Donegal LGFA has helped to turn ladies’ football into the county’s biggest sport for girls and young women.
“However research shows that half of all girls quit sport by the time they are 13 and this unique football coaching programme is aimed at keeping more young girls involved in sport through their teenage years and into adulthood.
“Critically the coaching programme will be conducted through Irish, encouraging the use of our language in a social setting within schools; and also allowing girls to play sport with other girls.
“Back in 1994 I started the first girls’ gaelic team at Loreto Secondary School in Letterkenny and in the past 25 years the sport has continued to grow in every parish and school in the country.
“I am very impressed by the drive of development coaches both in clubs and also at county level where so many young girls get to represent their county at various age levels and I want to congratulate the Donegal LGFA and all their volunteers for their hard work in promoting women’s sport in the county.”
The intention is for the scheme to be run and funded as part of an additional €1million secured in Budget2019 to promote the use of Irish language both inside and outside the Gaeltacht.
It is also intended that the wider Irish language sports coaching programme will expand camogie and football in other Gaeltacht areas across the country.
Minister McHugh also congratulated the Glenfin ladies who are through to this year’s Ulster club final after victory over Bredagh in the semi-final on Saturday.
