Schools Camogie – Rosina McManus Cup

Aquinas Grammar 4-10 St Joseph’s Crossmaglen 4-02

The golden era of sport at the Ravenhill Road continues as the girls of Aquinas Grammar followed in the footsteps of their MacLarnon Cup-winning brothers, securing the Rosina McManus Cup for the first time in the school’s history. Just a year after claiming the Shield, the squad made the jump to the premier grade look effortless in Newry, overcoming a resilient St Joseph’s Crossmaglen in a high-octane encounter that finished 4-10 to 4-02.

The match began with a blistering Aquinas offensive that threatened to blow the opposition away within the opening minutes. Before the clock had even ticked past sixty seconds, Maisie Quilton had registered the first point, followed quickly by a double from Katie McKavanagh. When Mary-Angela Nic Cárthaigh slotted over a fourth point in the 6th minute and Eva Bagnall found the back of the net shortly after, the Belfast side sat on a comfortable 1-4 lead. However, the South Armagh girls refused to buckle, striking back with two quickfire goals from Amy Lee Bellew and Siobhán Shields to remind the Aquinas defense that the title would not be handed over easily.

The middle period of the game was a tactical battle, with Katie Christie steadying the ship with a well-taken free and Meibh Hackett showing sharp instincts to score a point before rifling home a second goal for Aquinas. Despite this, a late surge from Crossmaglen before the interval—capped by a second Bellew goal—left the game on a knife-edge with Aquinas holding a slender 2-6 to 3-2 lead at the break. The tension remained high after the restart as both sides traded goals within five minutes; Eva Bagnall secured her second of the day for Aquinas, only for Shields to respond in kind for St Joseph’s.

The defining moment of the championship came in the final quarter. With only a point separating the sides and the pressure mounting, the Aquinas midfield engine room took control. Katie Christie showed nerves of steel to blast a penalty over the bar to restart the scoring, before she and Mary-Angela Nic Cárthaigh added crucial points from play. The result was put beyond doubt three minutes from time when a long-range ’45’ from Nic Cárthaigh deceived the defense and dropped into the net. While the entire squad played their part in this historic victory, it was the commanding performance of Veronica Boyle at the heart of the defense that earned her the QUB Player of the Match award.

Ulster Camogie has officially signaled a shift toward a more inclusive future for the sport by launching its inaugural Youth Voice Committee at a recent awards ceremony. This groundbreaking body was established to ensure that young players transition from being mere participants to having a meaningful role in shaping the direction of the game across the province. By providing a structured platform for players to share their unique experiences, ideas, and perspectives, the committee aims to strengthen the foundations of camogie and ensure the sport evolves in a way that resonates with its youngest members.

The committee is composed of nine distinct voices: Brianna Donaghy, Cliodhna Thompson (Cushendall) Ruby Burns, Lucy Canavan, Jane Feetham (Armoy), Mary Mullan, Aoibhe Waring, Siofradh Calahane, and Aoife Dempsey. This group was specifically designed to foster a culture of collaboration between young athletes and adult leaders. The goal is to create a decision-making process that reflects the needs of the entire camogie community, ensuring that the energy and passion of the players are matched by the strategic support of the organization’s leadership.

During the launch, County Down native Lucy Canavan spoke passionately about the importance of this new initiative, noting that while camogie provides a sense of belonging and confidence, young people have historically been left out of the discussions that affect them most. She described the committee as a powerful statement that young people’s views matter and a commitment to building the sport together. Canavan emphasized that young players possess a unique vantage point, understanding specifically what motivates their peers to stay involved and what hurdles might cause them to walk away from the hurl and pitch.

Ultimately, this initiative is about partnership rather than a shift in control. Canavan likened the new structure to a successful team where every member—from the coaches and parents to the players—has a vital role to play. By respecting all voices, Ulster Camogie hopes to create a more connected and fairer community. The committee’s success will be measured by its ability to make every young person feel included and inspired, ensuring the game remains strong for the next generation.

The Faces of the Future

The inaugural committee is comprised of nine dedicated players:

• Brianna Donaghy
• Cliodhna Thompson
• Ruby Burns
• Lucy Canavan
• Jane Feetham
• Mary Mullan
• Aoibhe Waring
• Siofradh Calahane
• Aoife Dempsey