Autumn leaves means that all the inter county All Ireland finals are now settled. The provincial distribution of titles is interesting. Munster counties are notable absentees amongst the national silverware.
Leinster took majority honours at adult level with champions, Wexford (Senior), Offaly (Intermediate) and Kildare (Junior A).
Antrim (Premier Junior) and Monaghan (Junior B) ensured some Ulster spoils.
At underage, Galway, Derry and Carlow were unique achievers. Incredibly, they all won All Ireland doubles at minor and under 16 – Galway (Minor and under 16A); Derry (Minor and 16B) and Carlow (Minor and Under 16B).
Thanking you
A word of thanks to all Camogie teams, managements and of course 17,300 supporters. You ensured All Ireland Sunday in Croke Park was a great success.
Hosting three Camogie finals was historic and very well received. There was excellent reaction to other innovations too including:
- Participation of 200 families and 50 community leaders from minority ethnic groups
- Players’ names on back of their jersies
- Fair play initiative where opposing senior players lined up to shake hands in pre-match parade
- Accommodation of the attendance in Hogan/Davin Stand
- Participation of All Ireland FÚile captains in bringing O’Duffy Cup on to the pitch
Our attendance was strong and reflected the pattern of increased attendances all year.
Watch out for innovations re All Ireland Club Finals to be announced shortly!
County finals
These are as exciting as All Irelands!
I was delighted to get to a number in recent weeks:
- Kiltegan put up a great fight to overcome Glenealy in Arklow for the Wicklow title;
- Raharney came out on top in Mullingar v Lough Lene Gaels at a very well supported final
- Inniscara and divisional side Imokilly couldn’t be split under lights at the Cork Institute of Technology grounds, again at a very supported final and
- Celbridge overcame debutants Johnstownbridge to claim the Kildare title
- In Greenford, London it was exciting to see a new club on the scene in the Junior Championship final. John Mitchells, Birmingham – just two years old, with a Polish-born goalkeeper and several Birmingham-born players were too strong for Tara’s second team. The final was followed by an excellent underage development blitz aimed at growing juvenile Camogie in the capital.
Distinguished service – Mary Moran; Marie Woods
Mary Moran is one of our Past Presidents. As Association Trustee, Mary served on Central Council and the National Resource Management Committee. When Mary’s Trustee term concluded this autumn, Mary did not seek re-election. Happily, Mary is continuing her long and very distinguished career in Camogie as she is writing the first national history of Camogie to be published next year.
Marie Woods served Leinster for 35 years as Treasurer and as well as æminding the books’ was particularly involved in Leinster Gael Linn teams. I recently attended a very warm and sociable event in Marie’s Clane club to honour her contribution. Hosted by Leinster Council, it was a bit of a reunion with several past Provincial Chairs and Past Presidents Phyllis Breslin, Mary Fennelly, Pat Rafferty in attendance along with Iar Ard Sti·rth¾ir Sheila Wallace.
Camogie is close to Mary and Marie’s hearts and long may that be so.
Dates for your diary
Here’s some events in the pipeline!
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Date
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Venue
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Event
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16th Oct
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Croke Park
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Announcement of Camogie development funding to counties
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30th Oct
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Ratoath GAA 11.30 a.m.
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Ireland v Scotland Women’s Camogie/Shinty Tournament
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6th Nov
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City West
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Annual All Stars and Soaring Stars Presentation Dinner
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4th Dec
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Croke Park
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Annual Joint GAA/Camogie/Ladies Football Coaching Conference
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Until the next time
Joan O’Flynn
Siobhßn NÝ Fhloinn
Uachtarßn
13 Oct 2010
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