St Brigid’s in Armagh pays tribute to club stalwarts

“

Friendships in Camogie

St. Brigid’s Camogie Club Armagh City hosted two camogie blitz over the week end in memory of two great camogie stalwarts of their club Mrs Peggy Harney and Mrs Magaret Donnelly. Both ladies along with the late great Mrs Phil McBride were pioneers of camogie in Armagh City during troubled times and worked tirelessly for club and county both as players and committee members.

An interesting factor was that both Peggy and Margaret played on the same team as their daughters Kerry and Ellen. Both Peggy and Margaret brought great character and friendship to the games over the years always on hand to provide a welcome cup of tea to visiting teams and give advice on parenting.. In 1990 St. Brigid’s were crowned Armagh Senior Camogie Champions a very proud day for everyone especially Peggy and Margaret.

On Saturday in the Athletic Grounds Armagh St. Brigid’s hosted a U-11 camogie blitz for the new Peggy Harney Cup. It was an event filled with nostalgia, fun and camogie. Peggy’s son Colin also well known in the GAA circles spoke of his mothers love for camogie and encouraging young people to become involved in sport. Colin told the large crowd “”that it was very fitting to be in the Athletic Grounds as Peggy lived in the last house over looking the pitch””.

Colin paid tribute to the work of St. Brigid’s Camogie Club and thanked the club on behalf of his father Joe (President of Pearse Ogs GAA Club), brothers Joseph, Pearse and Gary, and sisters Kerry and Sinead, for hosting the U-11 Blitz and for all their support over the years.

St Mary’s Granemore U-11 team won the Peggy Harney Cup after a cracking final with Tullysarron that went to extra time. Peggy’s son Pearse presented the beautiful Cup in her memory to Anna O’Neill Captain of Granemore. Harry McGough Peggy’s brother presented the medals to both the Granemore and Tullysarron teams. Eimear Mullen Tullysarron was presented the Player of the Blitz award by Sinead Harney Peggy’s daughter.

On Sunday St. Brigid’s Camogie Club hosted a Senior Tournament in Pearse Ogs Park in memory of Margaret Donnelly. Teams form Derrynoose, Clontribet, Madden, Clan na Gael and host club St. Brigid’s participated in an excellent tournament. After a fabulous morning of camogie a cracking final was played between Derrynoose and St. Brigid’s.

St. Brigid’s eventually eroded the might and skill of the Derrynoose camp to win the Margaret Donnelly Cup. Margaret’s daughter Maggie Nugent spoke on behalf of her father Mickey, brothers Gerard and Michael, sisters Claire, Ellen and Stella and the Donnelly and Barton families. Margaret thanked St. Brigid’s club for their support in hosting the tournament. Margaret said “”we appreciated the support and help of our camogie friends since mummy’s death””.

Margaret’s son Michael presented the beautiful Margaret Donnelly Cup to captain of St. Brigid’s Ellen Donnelly. Margaret’s brother Gerard presented the Player of the Final to Ursula Mullen St. Brigid’s. A fabalous weekend of camogie, fond memories of two great stalwarts of St. Brigid’s and Armagh camogie shared and many friendships renewed. Well done to the Harney and Donnelly families and St. Brigid’s Camogie Club Armagh.

“