New 'Peil' Ladies Football Magazine launched

There was no action on the field at Dr Hyde Park on Sunday last, when the foul weather put paid to Allianz League Semi Final between Mayo and Armagh and the final of the Suzuki Ladies National Football League between Cork and Galway.

Off the field though, there was major news on the Ladies football front, with the re-launch of Peil Magazine on behalf of Cumann Peil Gael na Mban. Earlier this year Fr. Liam Kelleher Editor of Marathon Athletics magazine for 21 years and Alan Gunn of Monaghan took on the onerous task of editing a National magazine on Ladies Football. Judging by the reaction on the publication of their first effort, the magazine looks like being a huge hit with the ladies. Produced in full colour and liberally illustrated with fine pictures and interesting and topical articles the magazine is a must for all lovers of sport, but especially for those with a special interest in the fastest growing sport in the country Ladies football.

Appropriately on a weekend which saw the opening up of Croke Park to other sports, the opening article is a revealing talk given by GAA President Sean Kelly at the Ladies Football Congress at Tyrone in March. There are interviews with The Irish Examiner Young Footballer of Year Niamh Fahy of Galway, Ciaran Woods of the Ulster weekly GAA newspaper the "Gaelic Game", Paul Swift of the Irish News speaks his mind on the "State of Ladies Football". The Ulster Administrator Mary Keegan and Connaught's Ita Hannon are profiled.

On the playing front the Post Primary Senior Schools final gets a full feature, as does the 3rd level O'Connor Cup weekend at Jordanstown, and the Suzuki Ladies National Football league. There is an extensive feature on the game at Overseas level, in London, Warwickshire, Lancashire, Glasgow and New York. Niamh Kindlon of Monaghan Lucozade/Sport Irish Independent Player of the Month for march is featured. The fixture lists for the 4 Provinces are included as well as a report on the Annual Congress in Tyrone. President Geraldine Giles in a special introductory message makes a plea for support for the magazine

"Our own magazine is important, in the further promotion of our game and will be another source of contact for us all with all units across Ireland and abroad. However it will only survive on your support. During my travels around the country and abroad I've been told of the need of our own magazine, now that it has arrived, let us ensure that we can sustain and expand this production"

The magazine was designed and beautifully laid out by International 400m athlete Paddy O'Gorman from Wexford a final year student at CIT in Cork. The magazine is very reasonably priced at ?2. It is available at newsagents.From Co Boards, and from the 4 Regional offices