Mayo club set for 2025 Sports Direct Gaelic4Mothers&Others National Festival Day

The countdown is on to what promises to be a spectacular festival of Sports Direct Gaelic4Mothers&Others football at Naomh Mearnóg on Saturday, September 6.

All roads lead to Portmarnock for the 2025 Sports Direct Gaelic4Mothers&Others National Festival Day, with clubs from all over Ireland set to flock to the capital, including Mayo club Westport.

The 2025 event will once again showcase the very best of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association’s spectacular initiative, proudly sponsored by Sports Direct.

In 2024, Sports Direct announced a three-year extension to its sponsorship of Gaelic4Mothers&Others, shortly after The Federation of Irish Sport’s 7th annual Irish Sport Industry awards saw the Sports Direct Gaelic4Mothers&Others programme honoured with the ‘Best Initiative to Promote Women in Sport & Physical Activity.’ The number of participating clubs has risen from 220 to over 600 in the space of four years of the partnership, with clubs now participating in every county and across our International units.

Tomorrow, it’s expected that nearly 2,000 women will make the trip to Naomh Mearnóg for the National Festival Day.

Over 90 Gaelic4Mothers&Others clubs are registered for the chance to sample the unique atmosphere of festival day, which will also provide the opportunity to get together and play games in a non-competitive and fun environment.

Sports Direct Gaelic4Mothers&Others ambassadors have been previewing festival day with social media content.

Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn is from the St Judes club in Dublin and she said: “What I love about the initiative is that we have women playing football now that actually never played football, but also never played sport. It’s been a safe space to introduce women to sport and physical activity and we have little sub-groups off the main group of walkers, swimmers and joggers. Socially, it has made people meet each other, and a lot more people in the club know each other now.” 

From the Bray Emmets club, Pam McDermott said: “It’s a great way of getting out and having a bit of exercise, and meeting up with people. I’m not from Bray originally so it’s a great way of being part of the community and just getting out every week and meeting up with mothers, and others, and having a great time.” Teams will start to register from 10am on Saturday, with the eagerly-anticipated mass-warm up scheduled for 11.30am on the Naomh Mearnóg Astroturf.

Games on 14 pitches are set to commence at 12pm and after the final games throw in, the live music will commence.

A silent disco and the Sports Direct zone will be other attractions on the day, with a prize on offer for the best dressed team, and the LGFA was fully subscribed once again for this event.

The Sports Direct Gaelic4Mothers&Others programme is an innovative way to introduce women to Ladies Gaelic Football in a fun, non-competitive and social environment.

Speaking on behalf of the LGFA, President Trina Murray commented: “The Sports Direct Gaelic4Mothers&Other National Festival Day is now one of the biggest highlights on our annual calendar.

“The mass warm-up is an experience in itself and the entire day provides so much fun and laughter.

“We’re looking forward once again to seeing the attire of the various teams and the fancy dress on show always brings smiles to our faces.

“I wish to acknowledge our programme sponsors, Sports Direct, who endeavour on an annual basis to ensure that this event and the programme itself continues to grow in scale and stature.

“Sports Direct have proven themselves to be wonderfully energetic and pro-active sponsors – and with a real zest and passion for the Gaelic4Mothers&Others programme.

“For all of the participants who will join us at Naomh Mearnóg on Saturday, this will be a day they’ll talk about for many, many years to come.” Sharon Lancaster, Marketing Manager, Sports Direct Ireland, added: “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the LGFA and the Gaelic4Mothers&Others programme.

“The growth of this initiative has been remarkable and is a true testament to the power of sport as a great equaliser, creating opportunities for everyone to take part and enjoy the benefits.

“Our research highlights just how important this programme is for women—not only in terms of fitness, but also for its social and mental wellbeing benefits.

“Each participant has her own reason why she takes part, and through our surveys and storytelling we’ve seen just how meaningful those reasons are. From building confidence, to finding new friendships, to carving out precious time for themselves, these stories show the true impact of the programme.

“This Saturday’s blitz promises to be a fantastic celebration of energy, positivity, and fun, and we’re excited to bring some special Sports Direct activations to the event.”