Teresa among guests at Ladies All-Ireland Jubilee weekend in Dublin

MAYO won their first ever ladies national title back in 1976 when Teresa Higgins from Claremorris captained them to a runaway victory (3-14 to 0-4) over Kilkenny in the U16 Final played in Athlone.

The Ladies Football Association was founded in 1974, just two years earlier, and the golden jubilee celebrations to mark the historic occasion will be held in Dublin this weekend.

Teresa (Ward), who retired as fund-raising manager with Western Care last year, and who resides with her husband Tommy (former Knockmore footballer) in Charlestown for many years, will be among the invited guests at a gala celebration and lunch in Croke Park on Saturday night.

“I got the text with the invitation out of the blue. The organisers have done great research and have invited captains and players from various teams from over the last five decades to what should be an amazing night.

“We will also be guests at the All Ireland finals which are being played on Sunday with neighbours Galway taking on Kerry in the senior final. We will be out on the Croke Park sod either before or during the interval of one of the matches. It is a very nice touch by the Council of the LGFA and I know it is hugely appreciated by so many people who have been such a part of the journey all down the years,” said Teresa.

The Mayo scorers on that special day in 1976 were: Catherine Larkin (1-5), Teresa Higgins (2-2), Bernie Boland (1-1), Ann Corcoran (0-2), Ann O’Brien and Vera Coyne (0-1 each). Kilkenny:  T Walsh (0-4).

Mayo: Vera Dillon (Ballintubber); Patsy McManamon (Lahardane), Breege Murphy (Claremorris), Fionnuala Murray (Burrishoole; Mary Mulroy (Claremorris), Christine McCormack (Islandeady), Christine Finnerty (Ballintubber); Maura Quinn (Claremorris), Bernie Boland (Knockmore), Teresa Higgins (Claremorris), Ann O’Brien (Claremorris), Nuala Rowland (Lahardane); Ann Corcoran (Knockmore), Vera Coyne (Lahardane), Catherine Larkin (Ballintubber). The team trainers were Michael Keane from Claremorris and Fr Gerry Gillespie from Lahardane. Galway will play Kerry in the senior final at 4.15pm. The day starts with the Junior Final between Fermanagh and Louth at 11.45am (with Gerard Canny from Kilmaine as referee) while the Intermediate Final at 1.45pm features Leitrim and Tyrone.