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ladiesgaelic.ie // 51 CUMANN NA MBUNSCOL ÁTH CLIATH Volume 14 | Issue No 4 | PEIL Winter hen 8 teachers held a meeting in 100 Seville Place in Dublin city center just before Easter in 1928, their aim was to start a league that would stem the rapid decline in Gaelic sport in the capital. Writing in 1958 in the Our Games annual, a founder member, Leon MacCanna, stayed that ' the sons of those who had harried the Tans and British military, and many of those who had been imprisoned and died for the 'green', did not know the way to Croke Park'. Soccer and cricket were the sports of choice in Dublin primary schools. The founding fathers would be very pleased to know that the inaugural 8 teams has grown to an astonishing 500 in 2018. They would also find it amazing that girls now participate on an equal footing with boys with 170 teams playing Gaelic football with the same level of skill, commitment and endeavour as the boys. The 2018 leagues were played in 16 different competitions. The top division, Corn Austin Finn, is called after the late, Dub Schools March To Blue Beat legendary press photographer, Austin Finn, who was a great admirer of Cumann na mBunscol. 20 teams played football of the highest calibre in a highly competitive league that culminated in a wonderful final in Croke Park and a memorable win for Scoil Mhuire, Sandymount. With record numbers currently entering the girls' leagues, it is fitting that the Dublin ladies senior team are back-to-back All- Ireland champions. From the 2018 panel, 21 girls have played in Cumann na mBunscol finals. 14 of them were on winning teams and all of them have worn the blue jersey with distinction up through the ranks. Current All-Star, Leah Caffrey, has an impressive GAA family pedigree but she is creating her own history with the All-Ireland champions. She was a star for Scoil Bhríde, Blanchardstown, in several Cumann na mBunscol finals and represented her school in the All-Ireland half-time Mini-Sevens. Leah was a guest at the 2018 Allianz finals in Croke Park and she presented cups back in her old stomping ground. The 90 year history of Cumann na mBunscol, Áth Cliath has seen many changes in society and on the playing fields. The arrival of talented girls playing Gaelic football to the highest standard has been a highlight and the county is now reaping the harvest from seeds sown in the primary schools of the capital. W