President’s July Blog

The championship season is racing ahead, and the All Ireland championships are throwing up some fantastic games. Results are not always going to form. That’s adding a bit of extra spice. The draw for the All Ireland Senior Semi Finals will be made in Croke Park on 26th July so I’m sure there’ll be keen interest in that!

New clubs a-growing

It’s great to see the momentum around expanding participation.  New clubs are mushrooming in each Province. Congrats to The Loup in Derry, Glengoole Gortnahoe in Tipperary, Tubbercurry in Sligo and Carnew in Wicklow to name just four of the recent arrivals!

Some June/July Highlights

Over past month, here’s some particular highlights to tell you about:
ò    First was a wonderful Go Games Primary Schools Blitz in Pearse Ëg Grounds in Armagh City where there was big participation and huge fun. Colette McSorley (Armagh) and Jane Adams (Antrim) joined in as stars of our game.

ò    Second was the opening of Na Magha Hurling and Camogie Facilities. Na Magha is the only hurling and camogie club in Derry city and two new pitches were officially opened last weekend. It was great to see the unity between both codes here.

ò    Thirdly was a æMeet the Stars’ event attended by over 200 young players in Kildare. The stars in attendance were Louise O’Hara (Dublin), Orla Kilkenny (Galway), Cathriona Foley (Cork), Emer Delaney (Laois) along with Susie O’Carroll, Roisin O’Connell, Aoife Trant and Niamh Concannon (all Kildare). It was wonderful to see the intercounty players’ commitment, all having played championship games the previous day.

ò    Fourth, FÚile na nGael was an incredible experience. It was very well organised, very well supported by all clubs and visiting teams and there was excellent competition and sportsmanship all round. Three Camogie teams won their first FÚile title – home side +ire Ëg from Ennis (Div. 2); my own club Celbridge, Kildare (Div. 3) and Cill Ard, Kerry (Div. 4). Lucan Sarsfields (Dublin) collected the Division 1 title making it two titles in three years – another great achievement. Congrats all round and special appreciation to Mary Hogan and Orla Considine (Clare) who oversaw the Camogie end of things with great professionalism and style.

July being Blitzed by Camogie!

Dublin, Leinster Council and Cork and Kerry are focussing on development in July with these events:
ò    Paul Beecher is leading the co-ordination of an intercounty under 14 Blitz in Dublin.  
ò    Eve Talbot and Thomas Davis GAA and Camogie Club are putting the final touches to an under 16 inter-club Leinster Blitz while raising funds for the Marie Keating Foundation.
ò     Cork are staging an u12 county wide club blitz and
ò    Kerry an u15 county wide club blitz.

I’m sure there are more so make sure to tell us about them!

Camogie Pitches

It’s interesting to see over the past few months efforts by County Boards to establish their own playing facilities. Most recently, Cork, Galway and Clare Camogie Boards now join Tipperary in developing/leasing and/or managing their own county Camogie pitch. That’s demonstrating confidence and belief in the future well being of the game and I highly commend it.

President to attend historic All Ireland Finals Day in Croke Park

By the time of the next Blog we’ll be pretty close to knowing the All Ireland Senior, Intermediate and Junior Finalists. The 12th September will be a historic one for us as Croke Park will host three Camogie Finalis for the first time.  The President of Ireland Mary McAleese will join us for the Camogie Showdown – put the date in your diary – it will be a special occasion, as always.

Catch up again in August,

Joan O’Flynn
Siobhßn NÝ Fhloinn
Uachtarßn

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