The Association was founded in 1904 and since then we have witnessed some historic moments within our sport. Below are some of the significant moments since our inception.
Throw-in
In 1932, twenty-eight years following the foundation of the Camogie Association, the first All-Ireland championship was played. The Tailteann Games of 1928 and 1932 whetted the appetite of players for competition of a higher standard than that provided at club level.
Ten counties entered for the inaugural All-Ireland championship which was organised on an open draw basis. Mayo man, Seán O’Duffy, donated a silver cup, known as the O’Duffy Cup, for the championship.
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Sean O’Duffy whom our Senior Championship Cup is named after
Fashion and Style of Play
Players lined-out wearing gymfrocks that covered the knee, long black stockings, canvas boots, long-sleeved blouses and a belt or sash around the waist. The shape of the hurley lent itself to good ground strokes and the play was predominantly on the ground. A glance at the early scores shows that players concentrated on scoring goals. The majority of points registered came from placed balls.
Dublin and Cork Make Early Running
Dublin’s superior attack was the deciding factor when they met Galway in the 1932 All-Ireland final at the Sportsfield, Galway. On the score of 3-2 to 0-2, Dublin claimed the first All-Ireland title. The first thirteen titles were shared between Dublin (7) and Cork (6). Significantly, these were the two centres where the game flourished at school and university level. Dublin and Cork produced contests of a remarkably-high standard. The stars of that era were among the best that the game has known.
Bríd Kenny, Jean Hannon, Eileen Windsor, Queenie Dunne, Angela Egan, Máire O’Kelly and Emmy Delaney were gifted players on the Dublin side. Josie McGrath, Lil Kirby, Kitty Buckley, May McCarthy, Joan Cotter and Lena Delaney brought a hat-trick of titles to Cork in 1934-36. A new batch of stars, Peggy Hogg, Kathleen Coughlan, Eileen Casey, Mary Fitzgerald, Renee Fitzgerald and the Hegarty twins repeated the feat in 1939-1941.
A game of Camogie in the early years
Antrim’s Hat-Trick
The Camogie Association was torn by disagreements in the Forties. Neither Dublin nor Cork participated for a number of years. This left the way clear for new champions. Antrim stepped up to the challenge and achieved a three in-a-row with polished players in Marjorie Griffin, Celia Quinn, Peg Dooey, Kathleen Rainey, Nancy Milligan and Marie O’Gorman.
Remarkable Champions
While Dublin remained outside the Association, the C.I.E. club affiliated direct to Central Council and was allowed to represent the county in 1947 and 1948. On their second attempt, C.I.E. carried off the All-Ireland title, a remarkable feat for a single club. Two of the most famous exponents of the game, Kathleen Mills and Kathleen Cody, played in the colours of C.I.E. Kathleen Mills stepped on to inter-county stage as a fifteen-year-old in 1942. When she called it a day in 1961, she had collected fifteen All-Ireland senior medals.
Phenomenal Run
Dublin’s return to the playing fields in 1949 marked the start of a glorious run. Eighteen All-Ireland senior titles were captured in nineteen years. Exceptional talent was available to the Dublin selectors. It was superbly utilised by their Cork-born coach, Nell McCarthy. Teamwork, skill and confidence were the hallmarks of those great Dublin sides. In addition to Kathleen Mills and Kathleen Cody, Dublin had shinning stars in Sophie Brack, Una O’Connor, Eileen Duffy, Annette Corrigan, Judy Doyle, Kathleen Ryder, Eithne Leech, Betty Hughes and Ally Hussey.
Antrim Break Dublin Monopoly
A new Antrim twelve caught Dublin in the 1956 semi-final and progressed to take the title at Cork’s expense in an exciting final. Moya Forde, Teresa Kearns, Deirdre O’Gorman, Ita O’Reilly, Maeve Gilroy, Marion Kearns, Madge Rainey and Chris Hughes were big names on the team. The stylish Mairéad McAtamney, Sue Cashman, Kathleen Kelly, Mairéad Carabine, Lily Scullion, Mairéad Quinn and Eileen Collins put an end to Dublin’s long run in 1967.
Against all the odds, Antrim put a fine side together in 1979. Unable to prepare as they would have liked owing to the political situation, the Antrim girls brought the O’Duffy Cup to Ulster for the sixth time. Carol Blayney, Jo McClements, Ann McAllister, Rita Moran, Mary McMullan and Siobhán McAtamney were the exciting newcomers who showed skill and courage in clinching victory.
Wexford Breakthrough
Several counties sought to take advantage when Kilkenny lowered Dublin’s colours in the 1968 Leinster championship. It was an unknown Wexford side that availed of the opportunity and won the All-Ireland championship at their first attempt.
Wexford retained the title in 1969 and brought a host of stars into the public arena. Mary Sinnott, Bridget Doyle, Margaret O’Leary, Mary Walsh, Teresa Shiel and Joan Murphy were key players in both victories. Six years later, the Model County secured their third title. Elsie and Dorothy Walsh, Bridie Doran, Kit Codd, Gretta Kehoe, Maggie Hearne and Kathleen Tonks had reached the top.
Cork’s Long Wait Over
Twenty-nine years following their previous success, Anne Comerford accepted the O’Duffy Cup on behalf of a delighted Cork team. This Cork squad had many exceptional players who proved their worth by winning four consecutive titles, 1970-1973. Liz Garvan, Marie Costine, Pat Moloney, Mel Cummins, Betty Sugrue, Marion McCarthy and Rosie Hennessy were the architects of Cork’s success.
Exciting Newcomers
A young and highly-talented Kilkenny outfit burst on the scene in 1974. In twenty-one seasons, Kilkenny amassed twelve titles and shot into third place on the Roll of Honour. A team that included Liz Neary, Ann Carroll, Angela Downey, Bridie Martin, Mary Fennelly and the O’Neill sisters, Teresa and Helena, made the initial breakthrough. Ann Downey, Jo Dunne and Mary Canavan joined the side for the 1976 and 1977 victories. The winning 1981 side embraced Margaret Farrell, Biddy O’Sullivan and Anna Whelan.
Four Titles in Six Years
Cork were back in the winners enclosure in 1978 with a well-prepared side. Clare Cronin, Mary O’Leary, Cathy Landers, Angela Higgins, Mary Geaney and Nancy O’Driscoll were equipped with flair and style to win impressively. Cork victories in 1980, 1982 and1983 introduced Sandie Fitzgibbon, Martha Kearney, Eileen Dineen, Ger McCarthy and Val Fitzpatrick.
Dublin Return
A barren period of eighteen years came to an end for Dublin. 1984 was the only bright note on the long road in search of former glory. Yvonne Redmond, Marion Conroy, Edel Murphy, Bernie Toner, Una Crowley, Mary Mernagh and Germaine Noonan lifted the spirits of Dublin fans with title number twenty-six.
Kilkenny Unbeatable
Splendidly prepared by coach, Tom Ryan, Kilkenny proved invincible from 1985 to 1991. Marie Fitzpatrick, Clare Jones, Deirdre Malone and Breda Holmes came on board to claim permanent places. Frances Rothwell, Marina Downey, Gillian Dillon, Bridget Mullally, Una Murphy and Sinéad Millea upheld the standard set when they got their chance. Kilkenny’s most recent win in 1994 signalled the arrival of Michelle Fennelly, Sinéad Costello, Tracey Millea and Catherine Dunne. Angela and Ann Downey, who played a massive role in all Kilkenny’s victories, hold twelve All-Ireland medals apiece.
Cork Again
A new Cork team was in place when Sandie Fitzgibbon mounted the steps of the Hogan Stand to receive the O’Duffy Cup in 1992. Kathleen Costine, Breda Kenny, Therese O’Callaghan, Colette O’Mahony, Linda Mellerick, Liz Towler, Paula Goggins, Irene O’Keeffe, Denise Cronin and Fiona O’Driscoll carried on the great tradition of Cork sides. Lynn Dunlea made a big impression when the joined the winning team of 1993. Eithne Duggan stepped in as full-back in 1995 and Vivienne Harris showed when she on as a substitute that she was there to stay. Cork’s success in 1997 featured exciting young players, Mary O’Connor, Sinéad O’Callaghan and Cora Keohane.
Galway’s Hour
A succession of excellent minor and junior Galway teams held promise of a senior breakthrough. In 1996, Imelda Hobbins carried the O’Duffy Cup across the Shannon for the first time to signal Galway’s arrival. Sharon Glynn, Denise Gilligan, Pamela Nevin, Martina Harkin, Olive Costello and Louise Curry had made the grade.
Tipperary Arrive
Victories in the minor, junior and intermediate grades paved the way for senior success by Tipperary in 1999. All-Star hurler, Michael Cleary moulded raw talent into a powerful force that captured five All-Ireland titles in six years. Una O’Dwyer, Deirdre Hughes, Ciara Gaynor, Eimear McDonnell, Noelle Kennedy, Jovita Delaney and Clare Grogan became stars of the modern game.
A Tipperary player focuses on striking the sliotar
Cork Add Four
Cork moved to within two of Dublin’s record when they brought their title count to twenty-four. Back-to-back victories in 2005/6 and 2008/9 introduced accomplished players. Gemma O’Connor, Aoife Murray, Rena Buckley, Jennifer O’Leary, Briege Corkery, Anna Geary, Caitriona Foley and Orla Cotter were the backbone of the successful teams.
Wexford’s New Generation
Possessing direct links with the victorious Wexford sides of the past, a new generation of players burst on the scene and captured three titles in five years, 2007-2011. Built around the Colaiste Bríde teams that won All-Ireland Colleges crowns, the new Wexford side was a serious outfit. The Leacy sisters, Mary and Una, Mags D’Arcy, Kate Kelly, Catherine O’Loughlin, Ursula Jacob and Katrina Parrock brought excitement to the game.
The Game
The game itself developed considerably over the years. Early exponents concentrated on ground-play. With the result, the majority of scores were goals. Points usually resulted from free-taking. The Dublin teams of the Fifties and Sixties brought teamwork to a very high level and proved unbeatable by sides which neglected this vital aspect of the game. Cork, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Wexford added new skills and innovations and facilitated the evolvement of the game. Higher levels of fitness were required as players wished to run with the ball at every opportunity. The introduction of the fifteen-a-side game brought camogie closer to hurling.
Today’s camogie stars are accomplished athletes, who demonstrate amazing levels of skill, fitness, ball control and technique. They represent their county with passion and pride and aim at the highest standards.
*Extracts from ‘A Game of Our Own Camogie’s Story’ by Mary Moran*
2010 – 2019
There were four winners of the All-Ireland Senior Championship title in the last ten years, with Cork winning four (2014, 15, 17, 18), Wexford winning three (2010-12), Galway winning two (2013, 2019) and Kilkenny (2016) winning one Championship crown.
Rather surprisingly, they are the only four teams to make the senior decider in that decade with Cork and Kilkenny leading the way with six appearances each, while Galway made the decider five times and Wexford three times.
In the Intermediate Championship it was a very different story, where there were ten different winners of the competition in the same amount of finals.
Leinster had five winning counties lift the Jack McGrath Cup this decade with Offaly (2010), Wexford (2011), Kilkenny (2016), Meath (2017) and Westmeath (2019) all claiming Croke Park victories.
Three Munster counties also experienced the same feat with Limerick (2014), Waterford (2015) and Cork (2018) claiming All-Ireland victories. Derry (2012) and Galway (2013) complete the list of Intermediate Champions.
Unlike the Senior Championship, there were a host of counties take part in Intermediate showdowns in the decade with 13 different counties qualifying for their respective finals, with six Leinster counties (Offaly, Wexford, Kilkenny, Kildare, Meath and Westmeath), three Ulster counties (Antrim, Derry and Down), three Munster counties (Limerick, Waterford and Cork) and one Connacht county (Galway) in the deciders.
The Premier Junior Championship followed similar paths in seeing ten different winning counties. Six Leinster counties (Meath 2012, Kildare 2013, Laois 2015, Carlow 2016, Westmeath 2017 and Dublin 2018) were victorious along with two Munster counties (Waterford 2011 and Kerry 2019) and two Ulster counties (Antrim 2010 and Down 2011) claimed All-Ireland Premier Junior victories.
