Representatives of this year’s club finalists gathered at Croke Park this afternoon in advance of Sunday’s (March 4th) double header All Ireland finals fixture at GAA HQ.
Una Leacy of Oulart the Ballagh (Wexford) joined Mary Looby of Drom/Inch (Tipperary) and Intermediate finalists, Aileen Moore of Eoghan Rua (Derry) and Aoife Lynskey of Ardrahan (Galway).
Oulart the Ballagh face Drom/Inch in the senior decider at 3.00pm and at 1.00pm defending Intermediate champions Eoghan Rua play Ardrahan.
A number of established inter-county players, such as the Leacy sisters, Una and Mary, Ursula Jacob (Oulart-the Ballagh, Wexford) and Joanne Ryan of Drom/Inch will also be aiming to add an elusive All Ireland club title to their playing honours on Sunday.
Speaking at this afternoon’s photocall President of the Camogie Association Joan O’Flynn said:
“We are delighted to be back in Croke Park for this year’s All Ireland Club Finals as the venue adds extra prestige to a momentous sporting occasion.
The opportunity of winning an All Ireland club title is something that all club camogie players aspire to. An All Ireland title at any grade is a huge honour, but a club All Ireland title is extra special because it is at club level where a player’s camogie career begins, where lifelong friendships are formed and where lasting bonds are created.
Clubs are an integral part of rural and urban communities and in many cases are the epicentres of activity in the area. Sunday’s double header finals will be a huge celebration of sport and also a demonstration of true community spirit in action as supporters rally to the cause.”
Wexford side Oulart the Ballagh recorded a convincing win over Antrim champions Loughgiel to book their final spot while a highly rated Drom/Inch side reached this year’s encounter following a superb win over champions Killimor in a re-fixed All Ireland semi-final on February 12th.
Defending Intermediate champions Eoghan Rua will be hoping to complete memorable back-to-back All Ireland wins but face a formidable challenge in Ardrahan, who defeated a strong Lismore side to reach this year’s decider.
This is the second year that the All Ireland Camogie Club Finals are taking place in Croke Park. The finals returned to the Dublin venue after a break of almost 40 years in 2011.
This year’s final also marks the return of Cáman & Run, a solo and handpass relay race in which four representatives from senior and junior schools compete at half time. In addition the All Ireland Junior club champions, Inagh will be honoured as well as the Volunteer of the Year Award recipients.
o Photographs from today’s event are available from Sportsfile at www.sportsfile.com
o All Ireland Camogie Club Finals, Sunday March 4th in Croke Park: Senior Final at 3.00pm Oulart the Ballagh (Wexford) v Drom/Inch (Tipperary): Intermediate Final at 1.00pm Eoghan Rua (Derry) v Ardrahan (Galway)
o Tickets are available to purchase on the day: Adults €15 per adult; Students & OAPS €10; U16s €5.
o Group passes are available only via pre-sale by logging onto www.camogie.ie
o For more information go to www.camogie.ie and facebook.com/CamogieAssociation
Pictured at this afternoon’s photocall for the All Ireland Club Finals:
(l-r) Aileen Moore, vice captain of Eoghan Rua, Una Leacy, Captain Oulart the Ballagh, President of the Camogie Association, Joan O’Flynn, Mary Looby, Captain Drom/Inch, Aoife Lynskey, Captain Ardrahan
