30th anniversary exhibition of Laois LGFA club to open in Mountmellick Library

Sarsfields LGFA will celebrate a remarkable 30 years of footballing history later this month with a special exhibition in Mountmellick Library. The exhibition runs from September 17 to September 30, and forms part of a programme of events marking the club’s anniversary.

Founded in 1995, Sarsfields has grown from modest beginnings to become one of the most successful clubs in Laois Ladies Gaelic Football. The officers of Mountmellick Camogie Club originally established the club to provide opportunities for players keen to compete in both codes. That first year saw teams entered at U-12, U-14 and Junior level, though success proved elusive.

The breakthrough arrived in 1997 when Sarsfields captured their first U-12 ‘A’ Championship, with several of those young players, including Aileen O’Loughlin, Clare Conlon, Deirdre Halley, Caroline Bermingham, Aoife Cleary, Rachel and Olwyn Farrell, going on to become stalwarts at higher levels. By 2001, Sarsfields had established themselves as a major force, winning titles across all grades up to Intermediate.

Over the following years, football emerged as the dominant code. In 2003, the club agreed to merge its camogie activities with Ballyfin, giving rise to O’Moore's Camogie Club. On the football field, success continued to build, with Sarsfields’ Senior breakthrough coming in 2008. A golden era followed, highlighted by a remarkable seven-in-a-row of Senior titles between 2013 and 2019.

Sarsfields players also made their mark in the county jersey. Five club members, Ciara O’Loughlin, Grace Weston, Emma McEvoy, Aileen O’Loughlin and Mags McEvoy, were part of the Laois panel that lifted the county’s only Senior All-Ireland title in 2001. In later years, Tracey Lawlor and Lorraine Muckian earned All-Star recognition, further underlining the club’s influence at national level.

The upcoming exhibition will showcase three decades of memories, featuring team photographs, newspaper cuttings, jerseys, medals, awards, and a complete record of honours won across Laois, Leinster, and national competitions. A commemorative club banner, a new club website, and a special anniversary hoodie are also among the initiatives launched to mark the milestone.

Looking ahead, a Club Sports Day and an end-of-year celebration will round off the programme of anniversary events.

Sarsfields has invited present and past players, supporters, and members of the public to join in the celebrations and to reflect on the club’s contribution to Mountmellick and the wider communities of Rosenallis, Kilcavan, and The Rock since 1995.

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