Rhode players contribute to Irish Defence Forces LGFA success

Rhode and Offaly gaelic footballers Abbi Stafford, Lauren Dunne and Dawn Hannon played pivotal roles as the Irish Defence Forces claimed the LGFA Interfirms 7s Cup in the GAA National Games Development Centre Abbotstown on Saturday.

Stafford was the team's scorer-in-chief, claiming a hat-trick of goals in the showpiece fixture as the Irish Defence Forces, who had lost the previous two finals, defeated AIB.

With Stafford netting a first half brace, and Ciara Moran also raising a green flag, the Defence Forces led by 3-2 to 0-2 at half-time.

In the second period, Stafford completed her hat-trick to help seal a 4-5 to 0-4 win.

The newly-crowned champions signalled their tournament intent with a 4-2 to 1-2 semi-final victory over CUH, with Stafford and Leah Walsh both netting twice.

Irish Defence Forces captain Gráinne Kenneally paid tribute to Stafford's goalscoring exploits during the tournament.

“It’s pretty intense, all go, end to end, goal to goal and we have Abbi to thank for scoring the majority of our goals," Kenneally said.