The inaugural Gaelfast Antrim schools Cup Camogie final was a fiercely contested game in Dunsilly on Wednesday night under lights in what was the showcase final of this Year 9 competition which started back in October.
C.P.C started the scoring with Caoilfhionn McShane sending over a fine point in the third minute. C.P.C. continued to apply the pressure, going for goal on a few occasions and could have been out of sight had it not been for the fine goalkeeping skills of Ellen McAllister in the Garron Tower goals. C.P.C’s captain Jane Feetham pushed her team further ahead just before Riona McCaughan struck the first of her two points and she followed soon after with a finely taken goal to push them ahead with 1-3 on the board. C.P.C. struck a purple patch with Mischa Healey finding the net on 2 occasions despite the best efforts of McAllister and Laoiseach McNaughton at full back. St Killian’s forwards threatened the C.P.C. defence but could not break through for that final score with Ceara Slevin, and Meabh McAlonan leading the charge from the back line. Jane Feetham then produced a wonder point from just inside her own ’45 with Maggie Kearns sending a long range free over the bar to leave the score 3.6 to 0.0 at the break.
Pics by Bert Trowlen
Maggie Kearns scored from play on the restart with Jane Feethams free which she sent towards the bottom corner of the goal being deflected brilliantly by Ellen McAllister only for it to go over the bar. However, Jane’s player of the match performance was paid off with a goal sealing the victory for C.P.C. Both teams made changes in this half and the girls all fought hard to the final whistle with St Killian’s raising the white flag from an Orlaith Quinn effort scoring the first of her 2 points. This was soon followed by a green flag 7 minutes before the end from the hard working Caoimhe McDonnell in what were the final scores of the game.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable game showcasing some of the talent that we have in Antrim at underage level. It was a wonderful family occasion for proud parents, grandparents, siblings and friends packing the grounds. A massive thanks to all those in Gaelfast for the organisation and facilitation of these games promoting Camogie in our county.
The Ballycastle club committee with guest of honor Richie Hogan at club’s annual awards dinner in the Marine Hotel.
Richie Hogan presents the Under 18 Camogie Player of the Year award to Shannagh Heggarty and the Under 19 Hurler of the Year to Antony Mullan.
Richie Hogan presents the Junior Camogie Most Improved Player to Maria Bakewell, who accepts it on behalf of her sister Anna, while Kara Brolly accepts the Junior Camogie Player of the Year award.
Callum Campbell receives the Junior Hurler of the Year award from Richie Hogan, while Neal McAuley accepts the Senior Reserve Camogie Most Improved Player award on behalf of Noelle McAuley
The Ballycastle team who won the Under 19 League at the club dinner in the Marine Hotel.
Senior Hurler of the Year Ronan ‘Rambo’ McCarry receives his award from Kilkenny legend Richie Hogan
Honourary President Robbie Elliott presents a Presidents Medal to John ‘Sparrow’ Harkin while Richie Hogan has picture taken with the two club legends.
Ballycastle club legend John Sparrow Harkin makes a special presentation to guest of honour Richie Hogan who travelled up from Kilkenny to attend the McQuillan’s GAC dinner in the Marine Hotel.
Richie Hogan presented Shannagh Heggarty (left) and Kathryn Mullan with Joint Senior Camogie Player of the Year awards at the McQuillan’s dinner
Richie Hogan presents Aoife Toner with the Most Improved Senior Camogie Player award The Ballycastle Junior Camogs with guest of honour Richie Hogan at the club dinner in the Marine Hotel.
The Kilkenny trio. Richie Hogan with fellow Kilkenny man Cian Waldron, now a Ballycastle resident, and club president Fr Raymond Fulton, who studied at St Kieran’s College in Kilkenny many moons ago
AIB, proud sponsor of the Camogie Club Championships has today announced the players selected for the 2023 AIB Camogie Club Championships team of the year. An unforgettable season unfolded in 2023 featuring some matches where underdogs stood tall and old stalwarts showed us why they so often claim the biggest prizes in what was a fantastic season of AIB Camogie Club Championships action. The team of the year features players from all four provincial champions and is a testament to the brilliant Camogie played throughout the length and breadth of Ireland this season. The players selected will receive their awards on March 2nd in Croke Park and the AIB Camogie Club Championships player of the year will be announced on the night.
Following their All-Ireland success, Dicksboro have been awarded eight places on the team of the year. It was a year of firsts for the Kilkenny club as they claimed their maiden Leinster title when they overcame St. Vincents of Dublin, and they followed this success with a victory over Ulster champions Loughgiel Shamrocks of Antrim in the All-Ireland semi-final before toppling the defending All-Ireland champions, Sarsfields (Galway) in the All-Ireland final. The Galway club have been awarded five places on the team of the year, having claimed a fourth county title in a row this season and defeating their namesakes Sarsfields of Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final before falling just short in the final. Sarsfields (Cork) and Loughiel Shamrocks have both been awarded one place each on the team of the year, having claimed provincial glory in Munster and Ulster respectively.
The 2023 AIB Camogie Club Championships team of the year features Kirsty Maher (Dicksboro) in goal with Jane Cass (Dicksboro), Laura Ward (Sarsfields, Galway) and Katie Byrne (Dicksboro in the full back line. Half backs include Tara Kenny (Sarsfields, Galway), Maria Cooney (Sarsfields, Galway) and Ciara Phelan (Dicksboro) while Sarah Spellman (Sarsfields, Galway) and Aobha O’Gorman (Dicksboro) occupy the midfield positions. The half forwards comprise of Asha McHardy (Dicksboro), Amy Clifford (Dicksboro) and Lucy Allen (Sarsfields, Cork) with Aoife Prendergast (Dicksboro), Siobhan McGrath (Sarsfields, Galway) and Caitrin Dobbin (Loughgiel Shamrocks) in the full forward line.
AIB Chief Marketing Officer, Mark Doyle said: “AIB is delighted to join the Camogie Association in honouring the achievements of these players at the AIB Camogie club player awards, following another fantastic season of the AIB Camogie Club Championships. The awards recognise the talent, determination and commitment these players have shown this season and over many years to achieve this success for their clubs. In 2023 AIB celebrated our 11th year supporting the Camogie club championships and we look forward to continuing this support in 2024 and beyond. We would like to sincerely congratulate all the players who have so proudly represented their communities and look forward to honouring them at the awards this Saturday in Croke Park.”
Uachtarán an Cumann Camógaíochta, Hilda Breslin added: “The 2023 AIB Camogie Club Championships were a fantastic showcase of talent and determination on the display throughout the season. All four provinces are represented on the team of the year which is a testament to the quality of Camogie displayed across the island of Ireland. On behalf of the Camogie Association, I would like to congratulate all the players who have represented their club this year with such pride and honour, and to those who have been named on the team of the year. We look forward to welcoming you all to Croke Park this Saturday evening to mark your achievements over the past season.”
To keep up to date with the AIB Camogie club championships, and for exclusive content from this year’s AIB Camogie club player awards, follow @AIB_GAA on Twitter and Instagram, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AIBGAA.
2023 AIB Camogie Club Championships Team of the Year
P6 & 7 pupils enjoyed a fantastic afternoon of fun games last week at the Dunloy GAA Academy. The games were organized by the NA Cumann na mBunscol committee and delivered by Gaelfast coaches Dominic McKinley, Paul Law, and Conor McKenna. More than eighty children showed off their hurling, camogie and football skills in an inclusive, non-competitive environment with the firm focus on friendship and fun! Everyone enjoyed the day and are really looking forward to the next Fun Games session later in the year. Thanks to the Gaelfast coaches for their work planning and delivering the games and to Dunloy GAC for the use of their excellent facilities.
It may not have been a perfect performance, but considering the ‘shenanigans’ in the build-up to the game Antrim’s win over Down at Attacal on Saturday in the opening round of the National Camogie Leeague was a very welcome boost.
With Carl McCormick filling in for the management team who stepped down during the week the girls in Saffron did enough to get the vital win against a Down side who were well short of their strongest side. The first touch at times left a lot to be desired, but they showed a great fighting spirit for most of the game to win by four in the end and secure two vital league points.
Annie Lynn fires in the second of her two goals against Down
Antrim started the game and went on to dominate the first half with Annie Lynn playing the starring role at full forward, the Loughgiel star hitting 2-2 to help send her team to a 2-5 to 0-3 lead. Lynn and Maeve Kelly got the first two points of the game and though Down came back with a point from Aoife Murphy the Saffrons came back with two quick points to go 0-4 to 0-1 clear. Murphy pulled one back for Down from a free, but Annie Lynn gave the visitors a firm grip of the game with her first goal midway through the half. Maeve Kelly grabbed another point and when Lynn bagged goal number two on 23 minutes it all looked plain sailing for Antrim.
The Mourne mountains forms a beautuful backdrop as Antrim come out for the second half at Attacal
Trailing by 0-3 to 2-5 at half time Down made a great start to the second half when they grabbed a goal and a point inside the first minute of the new half to the gap back to four. A pointed free by Roisin McCormick and one from play by Annie Lynn eased the pressure a little but Down were playing well and two well taken points from Aoife McDowell and Grace Cunningham brought the gap back to four again.
Roisin McCormick and Down substitute Saoirse Sands exchanged points and kept the gap at four but when Christine Lavery came up from the back to send over from play the game looked safe. The excellent Grace Cunningham pulled another one back for Down to just on full time but four was as close as the home team would get.
