Hilary Hudson, of Rough Stones Farm, Lanebottom, daughter of Heather and Jeffrey, and Stephanie Moorhouse, daughter-in -law of Jenny and John, have both proved to be vital members of the Brussels Ladies Gaelic Football Team, who have just won the European Championship Cup in Munich.

Both are new to the Irish game which at first sight is a combination of football and rugby with a touch of Aussie Rules football.

Hilary and Stephanie were instrumental in their recent victory in Munich for the fifth round of the championships.

Hilary, with her long-standing experience in Ladies football (she plays for British United in the Belgian League) was deadly in front of the goal, scoring a vital penalty in extra time in the final which won the cup.

Stephanie was core to the team's defence in the backline, being especially effective in containing a strong Paris side in the semi final.

On the way to the final they beat teams from Munich, Vienna, Madrid, Maastrict ,Paris and Luxemburg.

Their success at Munich means the Brussels side have secured the European Championship with two tournaments to spare. Whilst this is an achievement in itself, this was also the first year that Brussels have fielded a women's team.

Stephanie and Hilary both live and work in Brussels --Stephanie is working for Dexia bank and Hilary for F.I.P.R.A. International. Hilary attended Walsden then Todmorden High School before gaining a Law degree at Durham University - the town where Stephanie came from. Hilary studied European Law at Leuven University in Belgium and has since settled there.

Stephanie is married to Des Moorhouse who also attended Todmorden High School. The girls met up in Belgium by chance through football and it is yet another coincidence that both their parents are long-standing members of Todmorden Orchestra.