Juvenile Camogie Round-up – 20th Oct

Posted October 20, 2014

A weekend of gala blitzes and Croke Park trips for the camogie girls!

Our U8’s finished  the competitive season on Sunday morning with close encounters with a good Fingallians squad. 29 girls turned out for the two Mearnóg teams. The honours were split evenly,   with two wins and two losses. The girls & parents then headed inside to the warmth of the hall for refreshments where they were presented with their medals by the ladies of our senior  team. We will continue to train every Tuesday & Saturday until December with regular challenge matches.

U9’s: Our U9s were up and at ‘em early on Sunday morning, heading to Raheny to take on the local girls. The Weetabix must have gone down well in Portmarnock at the weekend! The girls tore in to every ball. Lovely conditions, and nice short grass, allowed the sliothar to move quickly. One touch hurling was all the rage with the girls doubling on balls, and crashing in goals from every angle. 3 teams, nine stars in each team. Fair play to Raheny on a lovely touch after the games: goody bags for all the girls. Then a dash back to the club, for teas and coffees and food for the parents, and more sugar for the girls! The senior camogie girls (Captain Caoimhe, Orla, and Niamh……thank you girls!) presented medals and the girls got to lift the seniors Summer Cup, and pose for photos. Thank you to all the parents who emptied their houses and the local shops of cakes and biscuits, and to those who baked and made the sandwiches. A great morning! Training continues on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

U10’s: Our U10’s travelled to Bridget’s of Castleknock on Saturday, and ran up some tremendous scores. Two wins, two draws, no losses! The girls played out of their skins. Cheered on by an enthusiastic and large group of parents, the girls enjoyed the outing against Bridgets, as they always do out in Castleknock, where we always get a generous and sporting reception, and indeed a lovely medal giving ceremony afterwards.

U11’s: The U11’s  played Naomh Judes at home at 12 fielding two teams, “Blue” and “Red”.

The Blue team were in top form with Rebecca Wall impressive in the backs and Niamh Costello, Sophie Grouse and Laya Power were on fire in the forwards. This was a tightly fought contest. The Naomh Mearnóg girls fought for every ball and came out on top with the final score Naomh Mearnóg 2 goals 1 point to 2 goals.

The Red team were up against a very skillful Naomh Jude team but fought really hard. Carla Brogan was outstanding at full back as was Orlaith Kiernan at corner back. Orlaith McGarry and Ciara Mullins fought the good fight in the middle of the field and threatened to turn the tide on many occasions. This group of U11 girls never lie down, and true to form fought to the final whistle. Naomh Jude were too strong on the day. Beidh lá eile!  The final score was Naomh Jude 2 goals 7 points to 1 goal for Naomh Mearnóg.

U12’s: Our U12 girls enjoyed a lovely day out in Croke Park on Sunday morning. The Camogie Association had organised a countrywide tournament to celebrate 110 years of camogie. Huge excitement on the bus ride in (all we we were short of was a pair of Garda motorcyclists to escort us!). The girls went shoulder to shoulder with the cream of u12s from all over the country, playing Navan O’Mahoneys, Clara (Kilkenny), and O’Loughlin Gaeils, winning two out of three matches. Great performances all around, and what a beautiful day to play on the hallowed turf of Croke Park.