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| 02/09/2010 All Ireland Part 2 | It’s an old cliché but it is very applicable on this occasion that this was a great team performance as it has been all during the campaign, with every player playing her part to achieve victory in a close match where a touch here or there could make all the difference. The forwards including Clare Doran as has been mentioned many times have shared the scoring honours much more evenly this year with all getting on the score sheet consistently. But great credit must be given to the Kildare defence who apart from that ropey opening few minutes kept it very tight at the back for the rest of the match as they have done throughout the year. It was never in doubt that Armagh with their dangerous forwards would put up a good score but it had to be kept to manageable proportions. Apart from the nervous start Brid Byrnes in goal, who has grown in stature as goalkeeper was rock solid and brought off a great save at a vital stage of the second half, full back Regina Gorman who has come into her own in the number 3 position dealt admirably with Armagh dangerwoman Mc. Sorley and on either side of her the two Niamhs, Niamh Breen who has made the number 2 jersey her own over the past three years and Niamh Concannon who dealt with plenty of dirty ball to keep it very tight at the back. The half back line of Gillian O Hurley, Carol Nolan and Lorraine Bowes provided a solid first line of defence in keeping the pressure off the Kildare goal. Siobhan Hurley proved influential, as she has all year, when switched to partner Clodagh Flanagan at centre field. Clodagh Farrell won a lot of ball in the first half and contributed well in the forward division. While Angella Lyons made a couple of vital clearences when coming on late in the game when the chips were down. Special mention of three players who had been hugely influential earlier but lost their battle to regain full fitness for the Final, Hazel Mulligan and Aisling Maher, and Aoife Trant whose commitment to charity work in Africa left her unavailable for the latter stages of the Championship.
Great credit also to trainer Tom O Mahony who has done such great work with the team over the last two years. Tom took over a bunch of raw young players and moulded them into a formidable team, whose hallmark is their willingness to support each other, don’t do panic and never give up no matter what situation they find themselves in. The team first showed their potential in Tom’s first year by winning a National League title to add to this year’s haul. Mel Treacy came on board this year to add her vast experience as a player to the mix. Well done to both.
Of course none of this would be possible without the dedicated service of those behind the scenes, the many people who gave their time selflessly to train and nurture these players as youngsters and our County Board, Celine our Secretary but above all Chairperson Margaret Sexton whose boundless dedication, energy and sheer get up and go has contributed to the resurgence of camogie in the county. No task or demand on her time is too great and we hope that this great year is fitting reward for her efforts and that the exploits of this team will contribute to her aim of raising the profile of camogie both within the county and Kildare camogie nationally.
Congratulaions to all concerned, players mentors and County Board.
And so for the history books the full panel of names that contributed during the year to making 2010 the ‘’annus mirabulus’’ of Kildare Camogie ( Google it) Brid Byrnes, Niamh Breen ( Capt.) , Regina Gorman, Niamh Concannon, Gillian O Hurley, Carol Nolan, Lorraine Bowes, Clodagh Flanagan, Clodagh Farrell, Mary Murtagh, Ciara Tallon, Susie O Carroll, Roisin O Connell, Orla Mullally, Siobhan Hurley, Clare Doran, Louise Walsh, , Hazel Mulligan, Aisling Maher, Aoife Trant Cliodhna McSweeney, Saileog O Keeffe, Amy O Hara, Angela Lyons.
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| 02/09/2010 All Ireland report - part 1 | Kildare Junior A camogie girls bridged a twenty year gap since the last win in a National Championship when they overcame a strong Armagh challenge 3-10 to 2-8 in Ashbourne on Saturday last to allow National Camogie President Joan O Flynn the enjoyable task of presenting the Nancy Murray Cup to Kildare Captain Niamh Breen amid scenes of great celebration and excitement in front of a large crowd of Kildare supporters. Kildare had to call on all their experience and resilience as after a shakey start they found themselves chasing the game. Armagh having the experience of winning in 2007 and playing last year’s final and with a strong wind to aid them started as if they would overwhelm a nervous Kildare challenge early on as they went into a six point lead after thirteen minutes, goals by Andrea McAllindon and Joanne Mallon doing most of the damage. However the Kildare defence began to get to terms with the pace of the game and despite many strong Armagh attacks would only concede two more points from play for the remainder of the match. Meanwhile the forwards began to chip away at the lead, two Susie O Carroll points to add to her earlier one and a third point by Roisin O Connell bridging the gap to four points as the clock ticked down to half time. Then Orla Mullally got on the end of a good Kildare move to shoot past the Armagh keeper to wipe out a further three points from the Armagh lead. Armagh’s Collette Mc.Sorley ended the scoring with her fourth pointed free to leave it 2-5 to 1-6 in favour of Armagh at half time.
With the wind in their back for the second half it might have been expected that Kildare would push on and put the issue beyond doubt but a combination of the wind easing and Armagh’s never say die attitude meant that Kildare struggled to get their heads in front. Two Susie O Carroll frees were answered by a point by Ciara Donnelly and her fifth from frees by Mc. Sorley and with ten minutes to go it looked as if Armagh might just hang on especially as only tight defending by the Kildare rearguard denied them another goal on a number of occasions. Then came the turning point as a long ball driven in by Mary Murtagh deceived the Armagh keeper and finished up in the net to give Kildare a narrow lead for the first time in the match. A Roisin O Connell point extended the lead before it was cut back to a single point again when Katie O Brien fired over a point in the twenty fifth minute to set up a pulsating finish. However Kildare finished the stronger with a Ciara Tallon point making it a two point match before recently introduced sub Louise Walsh got on the end of a movement and nicely flicked the sliothar to the Armagh net to seal a famous victory for the Lillywhites and cap a fantastic year for the county as they achieved the double of All Ireland and Leinster titles .
..... see next note for part 2 |
| 26/08/2010 All Ireland Preview | JUNIOR A ALL IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW
2010 so far has been a good year for Kildare camogie and next Saturday presents the opportunity to make it a great one when the Junior team contest the All Ireland Junior A Championship Final against Armagh in Ashbourne at 2-30 on Saturday. A win for Kildare would bridge a twenty year gap since the last All Ireland win in 1990 and crown a year in which they are already Leinster Champions. Add to that Celbridge’s victory in the All Ireland Camogie Feile and it can be seen that camogie is thriving in the county, a fact further evidenced by the open nature of this year’s Senior Championship with literally only a puck of the ball separating the teams in most of the matches played so far.
This year has presented the Junior team with many challenges but under the tutelage of manager Tom O Mahoney and Melanie Treacy each has been met and overcome. They comfortably retained their Division 3 status and in the Leinster Championship overcame Meath and Westmeath before capping it all with a victory over much fancied Laois after extra time in the Final. But the real aim all season was to go at least one better than last year’s disappointment at the semi final stage of the All Ireland and at least reach the Final this year. Perhaps this accounts for their nervous Semi Final win over London but with that behind them they can now approach the Final with lighter hearts. However Armagh will provide stiff opposition. They have been here before having lost the Final to Roscommon last year and will be under some pressure to prevent a repeat. Although Kildare have beaten then both times they met this year it was only by narrow margins and on any given day it could go either way. They have some dangerous forwards who will need close marking but the Kildare defence has been pretty tight all year. The Kildare forwards have been racking up good totals, indeed a strength of Kildare this year is that there has been a much greater spread of scoring among the forwards. Against London seven players including subs got on the score sheet. If Kildare settle early and get into a rhythm then they can win but it promises to be a battle to the end and hopefully the Nancy Murray cup will be coming south on Saturday evening.
The Kildare panel is Brid Byrnes, Niamh Breen ( Capt.) , Regina Gorman, Niamh Concannon, Gillian O Hurley, Carol Nolan, Lorraine Bowes, Clodagh Flanagan, Clodagh Farrell, Mary Murtagh, Ciara Tallon, Susie O Carroll, Roisin O Connell, Orla Mullally, Siobhan Hurley, Clare Doran, Louise Walsh, Saileog O Keefe, Hazel Mulligan, Aisling Maher, Cliodhna McSweeney, Amy O Hara, Angela Lyons.
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| 16/07/2010 Kildare V London | On a very wet and blustery Saturday afternoon in St Laurence’s, Kildare Junior A Camogie girls continued their unbeaten run in the Gala Junior A All Ireland Championship with a comprehensive 3-18 to 1-2 win over London. London elected to play with the wind in the first half but despite some early pressure it was Kildare who began picking off the points with four from Susie O Carroll and two from Mary Murtagh to ease into a six point lead. The move of London’s Aisling Touhy from the corner to the half forward line initiated London’s best period as she instigated some good moves that led to London’s first score a pointed free from the stick of Helen Murphy . Minutes later the sliother skipped across the Kildare goal and Rosie Cusack was on hand to finish to the net to put a dent in the Kildare lead. However Kildare went on to finish the half the stronger scoring three unanswered points from O Carroll, Siobhan Hurley and Orla Mullally to leave it 0-9 to 1-1 at half time.
With the wind and the rain in their backs for the second half Kildare quickly put the issue beyond doubt with two quick points from Hurley and Maher. In the sixth minute Roisin O Connell took a deft pass from Hurley to crash the ball to the net and there was never going to be any way back for London from then on. Not that they stopped trying,but the Kildare defence were also on song and limited London to just a single point from a free by Murphy in the second half. Indeed, collectively, the defence of Niamh Breen, Regina Gorman, Niamh Concannon, Gillian O Hurley, Carol Nolan, Aoife Trant were outstanding throughout , confining London to only one score from play . Meanwhile the Kildare forwards just as they had done the previous week went on to run up a string of points from O Carroll ( 5 ), Hurley, (2), and O Connell ( 1 ). These were interspersed with two further goals, the first by O Carroll after good work by Hurley and her second by O Connell just on the stroke of full time.
With full points from three matches played and two to play the Lillies are in a very strong position to reach the semi final stage. Next weeks round of matches should clarify matters greatly. Kildare travel to Carrickmore on Saturday 17th July to play Tyrone, Throw in 2.o.c.
Kildare Brid Byrnes, Niamh Breen ( Capt.) , Regina Gorman, Niamh Concannon, Gillian O Hurley, Carol Nolan, Aoife Trant, , Clare Doran , Aisling Maher, Mary Murtagh, Ciara Tallon, Susie O Carroll, Roisin O Connell, Orla Mullally Siobhan Hurley, Clodagh Farrell, Tanya Johnson, Clodagh Flanagan, Louise Walsh. , Lorraine Bowes,
Regards
D Breen PRO |
| 08/07/2010 Successful Star Day | Inter-county stars shine for Kildare kids
Five of Ireland’s camogie stars turned out in Naas G.A.A Club recently to promote their sport and provide invaluable tips and training to Kildare’s young players.
Eimear Delaney (Laois), Catriona Foley (Cork), Orla Kilkenny (Galway), Susie O’Carroll (Kildare) and Louise O’Hara (Dublin) were on hand to train more than 110 girls from different clubs around the county.
‘Star Day’ was organised by the Development Officers Eve Talbot and Niamh Concannon to promote the game and to encourage more participation. Girls between the ages of ten and 16 were invited to attend and there was delight expressed by the organisers for the response received.
The girls were divided into five groups and all were given 20-minute training sessions with all of the ‘stars’, each one concentrating on a different skill. Eimear Delaney passed on her considerable knowledge when shooting for goal, while Louise O’Hara showed the importance of being able to catch a high ball and hand-pass well. All-star and multiple All-Ireland winner, Catriona Foley kept it simple and practised ground hurling with her groups. Susie O’Carroll told her fellow county-women a few tips about striking the ball correctly and Orla Kilkenny showed the youngsters how to ‘hook’ and ‘block’ their opponents.
After the hard training, all in attendance received an extra treat with the appearance of Joan O’Flynn, President of the Camogie Association. She brought with her the O’Duffy Cup – the most coveted prize in the game awarded to the All-Ireland Senior Championship winners.
Speaking to the crowd, O’Flynn said that she was delighted to see the enthusiasm for camogie in Kildare was being maintained and that such days as these were invaluable to the game. She also thanked the inter-county players for making themselves available.
The girls were given the opportunity to take part in a question-and-answer session with the inter-county stars. They were eager to know their ages and how long they each had been playing for their respective counties. O’Hara shared that she has played with her beloved Dublin for 15 years and has never once missed a championship match.
A great day was had by everyone involved.
Eve Talbot said, “It is great to see more than hundred girls playing camogie here, representing a total of 16 clubs across Kildare. We wanted them to meet some of the top intercounty players in the country and see what it takes to achieve their full potential. It has been a great experience and chance for them to pick up a few tips from the top stars in the game today.”
Following on from the work put into the ‘Star Day’, there is an Advanced Training Camp organised for 13-16 year old girls later in the Summer. Details as follows: Clane GAA Club from the 10th-12th August – contact Eve Talbot 085-1128669 or eve@camogie.ie for more information and application forms. Appication form also available to download from www.kildarecamogie.com.
Sinead O'Carroll
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| 05/07/2010 Kildare v westmeath 3rd July | After the postponement of their second round match against Carlow the previous weekend, the Kildare camogie team progressed their Junior A All Ireland Championship aspirations with what in the end was a comprehensive 3-16 to 3-4 win over Westmeath in Conleth’s Park on Saturday. The extent of the Kildare victory could not have been foreseen at half time as Kildare led by just the one point, having been asked some serious questions by a Westmeath side that looked as if it could pose serious problems in the second half.
The first half started with a flurry of scores from both sides, registering a score a minute for the first eight minutes. Kildare opened the scoring with a point from Susie O Carroll which was quickly answered by a Joanne Walsh point. Almost from the puck out a Kildare attack resulted in Kildare’s full forword Orla Mullalley latching on to the ball and finishing strongly to the net. Westmeath were again quick to reply , Joanne Walsh firing over her second point which was quickly matched by an O Carroll point from a forty five. Mary Murtagh stretched the Kildare lead with a point from play in the seventh minute but in the eight minute a ball bounced through the Kildare defence and was finished to the net by Denise Mc. Grath. After this initial burst of scoring there was a fallow period until the fifteenth minute when Kildare’s Ciara Tallon split the posts with a fine point. Murtagh and Loughlin exchanged points in the twenty third and twenty fourth minutes. However at this stage the Kildare defence were under serious pressure and having managed to clear a couple of dangerous situations a goalmouth scramble in the twenty sixth minute saw the ball eventually forced across the line by Pamella Greville to give Westmeath a one point lead. O Carroll restored parity with the score of the day, winning possession out around the midfield before taking off on a mazey run that took her through the Westmeath defence before finishing over the bar before again scoring another great point to finish the first half scoring , Kildare 1-7 to 2-3 in front.
After the tension of the first half the story of the second half is one of a Westmeath collapse as a rampant Kildare went on to rack up a string of unanswered points to leave the outcome beyond doubt well before the end. Westmeath’s ploy of playing a two player inside forward line for the first fifteen minutes of the half seemed to backfire as play opened up and seemed to hand the initiative to the Kildare forwards who seizes the opportunity with devastating effect. O Carroll ( 0-3), Siobhan Hurley, (0-2), Roisin O Connell, Orla Mullalley, Mary Murtagh and Clodagh Farrell all contributed points while Aisling Maher took a deft pass from Mary Murtagh and finished to the net. Meanwhile the Kildare defence tightened up and reduced Westmeath’s response to all this to a single point from a free from Loughlin in the ninth minute. Westmeath did get a consolation goal when a Loughlin forty five dipped under the Kildare bar in the twenty eight minute but it was a case of too little too late as O Carroll went on to finish the scoring with her seventh point of the day. Manager Tom O Mahoney expressed himself well satisfied with the outcome.’’ We were a bit worried that after the postponement of last weeks match we might have lost a bit of momentum and the first half was very tight but after half time the game opened up and we began to come to life. It was a very good team performance overall and I was very pleased that eight of our players got on the score sheet. With two tough matches played and won we are very much on track to reach the business end of this competition which has been our target all year.’’
Kildare’s next opponents are London who could be the ‘’dark horse’’ of the competition. That match is scheduled for next Saturday , 10th July in St. Laurence’s pitch, Oldgrange at a time to be arranged.
Kildare Kildare Kildare, Brid Byrnes, Niamh Breen ( Capt.) , Regina Gorman, Niamh Concannon, Gillian O Hurley, Carol Nolan, Aoife Trant, , Clare Doran , Aisling Maher, Mary Murtagh, Ciara Tallon, Susie O Carroll, Roisin O Connell, Orla Mullally, Lorraine Bowes, Siobhan Hurley, Clodagh Farrell, Tanya Johnson, Clodagh Flanagan, Louise Walsh.
Dermot Breen PRO |
| 28/06/2010 U14 Blitz - Dublin | We have been invited to Dublin on the 17th of July to take part in an inter county blitz. Hopefully we will field a strong team as we are in with Dublin & Kilkenny B squads.
The venue will be St Brigids GAA Navan Rd.
Any girls interested please contact Frank on 086 8109012
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| 10/05/2010 Féile report and results | Kildare Camogie Féile Finals
The Kildare Camogie U14 Féile finals were held in Leixlip GAA grounds on Saturday May 8th. On a beautiful sunny day in Radley Park five teams fought out a thrilling tournament. Girls from Celbridge Maynooth Naas Rathcoffey and St Laurences gave a wonderful display of camogie on the day. In the early exchanges Maynooth and Celbridge led the way, but Rathcoffey were proving to be the surprise package with some well deserved victories. After the Round Robin stages Maynooth and Celbridge qualified for the final, and what a final it was, with both teams playing brilliantly In fact it was nip and tuck all the way with the sides matching score for score until the last moments of the game when Emer Reilly secured victory for Celbridge with a dramatic late point. Final score Celbridge 2—5 Maynooth 3—1.
Great credit must go to all the girls who took part in the competition and to Leixlip Camogie Club for providing the facilities in such superb condition.
Celbridge now go on to represent Kildare in Co Clare in the finals of Féile Na nGael 2010.
Féile Results
Rd 1 Naas 0—0 Celbridge 0—5 Rathcoffey 0—0 Maynooth 2—1
Rd 2 St Laurences 0—0 Rathcoffey 0—1, Celbridge 2—2 Maynooth 1—0
Rd 3 Maynooth 2—4 St Laurences 0—1, Rathcoffey 1—0 Naas 0—1
Rd 4 Maynooth 2—3 Naas 0—0, St Laurences 1—0 Celbridge 2—1
Rd 5 Celbridge 2—1 Rathcoffey 0—0 Naas 0—0 St Laurences 0—2
FINAL Celbridge 2—5 Maynooth 3—1
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