Squinting into the evening summer sun setting behind the goalposts, players look up and pick a spot between the uprights. Men climb out of cars, producing hurls and gear bags, children run around soloing sliotars on sticks.

In the heart of Kilkenny’s hurling strong hold, I observe this scene at Conahy Shamrocks GAA club. It could be any Kilkenny club in summer, hurling season in full swing. However, my visit here is not on the grounds of hurling: it is to play Gaelic football.

The closer I drove to the pitch, the tighter the knot in my stomach had become. Why had I decided to do this? The most experience I had playing football was a five-minute appearance in an under-14 challenge match – and even at that they were badly stuck.

Conahy Shamrocks has a Mothers and Others ladies football team, an initiative started by the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) in 2008 and one that has proved very popular in this historically hurling-mad club.

Paula Prunty, LGFA development manager, explains that Mothers and Others is non-competitive and its aim is to get women involved in football by creating a relaxed environment in which they can train.

“It’s seen as a social and recreational initiative within the association for non-competitive players. It’s not just for those who previously were non-players: it’s for past players who would like to come back and still have that opportunity to play our sport, but maybe in a more relaxed environment, where there’s no pressure of competition.”

Apprehension

Despite this information, I am still not fully convinced. I meet some of the players in the dressing room, I admit my lack of skill and that I am pretty nervous. Secretary Catherine Feheny says when she started she had never played either and assures me I will be fine.

What really settles me in, though, is the ladies’ easy-going banter. They make me feel welcome and put me at ease, joking that they are not going to take it too handy on me.

Chair Pauline Harding has been playing with the team since it started in 2010. Pauline played camogie “donkey’s years ago” and had been itching to get back into a team environment. She says anyone who is considering playing Mothers and Others should go for it and get involved with their local club.

“Everybody is in the same boat. Most people coming down to training would feel the same way – nervous – but take the first step, come down, have a chat with them, stay for one training, come for the second one. Stand and look, get the feel for it and then decide. You won’t regret it,” Pauline promises.

Also involved with the team since its foundation is Anne Holland. As many do, Anne outlines that playing with the team has a number of physical and social benefits. Throughout her years in the club, however, she has observed one social advantage in particular: playing with the team gives women who have moved to the area a chance to get involved in the community.

“It’s great for people who have gotten married and moved to the area. We kind of felt you didn’t get to know anybody until your kids started school and that wasn’t until they were five, so you were a long time around before you met somebody.”

Rochelle Gonzales is one such example. She joined the club three years ago. Originally from the Philippines, she moved to the area with her husband, whom she met in Kuwait. Rochelle confirms that playing Mothers and Others really did help her settle into the area. She’s a dinger for goals and as we stretch afterwards there is consensus that she is their most improved player. Coach Nicky Maher heralds her as “our Donaghy”.

When training is over, I can’t remember why I was so nervous, it was fun and great exercise too. Just like it says on the tin: you don’t need any particular skills or experience. The girls were really encouraging and I’m surprised that I didn’t feel completely lost.

It really is the best of both worlds: fun and physical activity – two components that often can be difficult to merge. There is constant joking throughout the session and a real sense of friendship between everyone. “Joanne, I’ll be black and blue if you keep kicking the ball at my knees, I’ll be like a zebra going on my holidays next week.”

Conahy Shamrocks is preparing to take part in the national Mothers and Others blitz in Portmarnock, held annually in October. The blitz is non-competitive and scores are not recorded. More so than winning or losing, the players describe great days out and the experiences they had. The team also played at half time in Croke Park during an All-Ireland ladies football final and say it was a real highlight for them.

Our Hour

Despite their football team being only seven years old, most of the women have been involved in GAA their whole lives. Some played camogie and most have children playing at some level. Pauline explains that Conahy is “real GAA country”.

“When you have kids playing you are inadvertently involved; it’s hard not to be. That’s why I think it’s great for women to have something, because usually you are only there as a mother – making tea and sandwiches, the usual – but now, it’s something for ourselves and it’s our hour.”

Nicky Maher, who travels 20 miles from his home in Kileshin in Co Loais to train the ladies, says they have become like his sisters.

“What I see with this club is that the women are the backbone; they really are the backbone and they probably are the backbone of a lot of clubs in the country. Everything that’s held here they have something to do with it.”

We go into the clubhouse afterwards; we talk and drink tea. Nothing hectic, no interviews, no notes; just chatting and laughing. I survived my unorthodox football outing in Kilkenny – I even enjoyed it – but it is here, in the clubhouse that I begin to really understand the idea behind Mothers and Others: the sense of community and camaraderie it brings. CL

For further information about Mothers & Others, visithttp://ladiesgaelic.ie/games-development/gaelic4mothers.