All Ireland Camogie Feile 2022
Last Saturday Ruairí Óg Cushendall hurlers won the All Ireland Feile title, but it could so easily have been a double as their Camgos made it all the way to the final whre they were beaten by by Derry champions Swatragh. Based in Kiltale Co Meath for their National Feile Division 2 Competition, the Antrim Champions had been drawn in a tough Group with Swatragh (Derry), Naomh Brid (Dublin) and Naomh Eamann (Laois).
In the opening game Ruairí Óg faced Swatragh. The strong wind made each match a real ‘game of two halves!’ Swatragh got off to a good start, with Ruairí Óg fighting back, however Swatragh rallied again, and despite great work from the Cushendall defenders and keeper Cliodhna Thompson they pulled away with a comfortable 2.6 to 1.1 win.
In the second game Ruairí Óg played Naomh Brid (who went on to win the shield), and in this game started to show some form with several fine points from Kady McNeill, Maedhbh Graham, and Niamh McNeill. Defensively better Cushendall held the opposition scoreless for a 1.7 to 0.0 win.
A win in the final group game against Naomh Eamann would mean Cushendall progressed to the Cup Semi-Final as group runners up. Again, the young Ruairi’s performed well defensively, and took many lovely points from play including scores from Eva McNeill, Tamara Black, Erinmae Mitchel and Kady McNeill, while Maeve McAlister, Laoise McCollam and Laura Black defended resolutely for a 0.10 to 0.0 win.
This set up a Cup Semi-Final with Tramore (Waterford) who had topped their group, whilst in the other semi-final Swatragh played Tullamore (Offaly), runners up in the second group.
This Semi-Final proved a excellent game between two skillful Camogie teams, with Cushendall up against a very strong and unbeaten Tramore. Both teams started nervously, however with the wind advantage Ruairí Óg pushed ahead with points and a goal from Tamara Black, Kady McNeill and Eva McNeill. The battle in the middle third was intense, with no quarter asked or given! Then in the second half and against the wind with a massive defensive effort from Maeve McAlister, Scarlett Kerr McKillop and Laura Black, aided by Rhianna Black at midfield restricted Tramore to just three points in what was still a very tight game, until two points from play by Eva McNeill saw Cushendall pull away to win 1.5 to 0.3
The young Ruairi’s progressed to Cup Final against Swatragh who had defeated Tullamore.
In the Final, Swatragh played wind assisted in the first half, and while Cushendall opened the scoring with a point by Niamh McNeill from play which was to be their only score of the half, a very skilful and accurate Swatragh midfield and forward line scored 2.3 without reply, one of the goals a penalty which rocketed to the roof of the net. In the second half Ruairí Óg worked hard but could not get clean possession and when they did, they could not find the gaps in a tight Swatragh defence which pressurized the Cushendall forwards into some wayward shots. Then despite a great defensive effort from Cushendall, Swatragh broke up the field for two points from play. The game looked over until two excellent goals from Niamh McNeill threw Ruairí Óg a lifeline and setup a tense finish, however despite their best efforts, some great Swatragh defending and a couple of missed chances, were followed by point from play at the other end to see Ruairí Óg’s day end in disappointment as the Derry girls were crowned All Ireland Feile Division 2 Champions on a score line of 2.6 to 2.1.
Although disappointment may linger at present, it is important, we remember this is the first camogie team to represent Ruairi Og at National Feile and indeed win a division 1 Feile title within their county. As the famous quote reads “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” It is without doubt the seeds sown on the 25th of June in Kiltale Co Meath will continue to grow within this club. These young Gaels should feel very proud of what they have achieved and should never underestimate the significance of how far they have come.