Occasionally American or English ladies teams visit Ireland and play
against Irish club sides. Three American teams and one English team
visited Ennis in the past few years and played matches against
Lifford Ladies.
East Granby from Connecticut, nicknamed the "Angels" played Lifford
u.14 girls in Ennis in the Summer of 1991.
In a very exciting match there was nothing to choose between the teams
and the game ended scoreless.
This was Lifford ladies first taste of foreign opposition and they
thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Greenford Celtic F.C. from London visited Ireland in 1995 and stayed in
Athlone. Lifford u.14 girls travelled up to play against them. In a very
closely fought game Lifford emerged victorious on a 2-1 scoreline.
Guilford u.16 girls from Connecticut toured Ireland in July 1996 and
played matches in 8 counties.
Ennis was their second last stop after playing matches in Dublin, Kildare,
Wicklow, Waterford, Cork, and Kerry.
They met Lifford in Clarecastle and the match was a thriller with little
to choose between the sides. Áine Greene scored the only goal of the game
to give Lifford victory and spoil Guilford's unbeaten tour record.
Both teams enjoyed a meal and disco that night with the American girls
staying with the Lifford girls for the night before moving on to Galway
the following day.
The colourful "Coyotes" from Los Cruces in New Mexico arrived in Ennis
in June 1997 to play Lifford Ladies.
The match was played on the Fair Green before a very large attendance.
There was no score in the first half but Irene Hehir put Lifford ahead
5 minutes into the second half. The Coyotes equalised midway through the
half but Samantha Mc.Carthy scored a winning goal for Lifford 6 minutes
from time.
There were great after match celebrations with the American girls enjoying
the night life of Ennis.
Any team interested in visiting Ennis and enjoying the beautiful sights
of the county as well as playing a friendly game can contact me at:
dwalsh@tinet.ie