Last Sunday St. Brigid’s U12 Camogie panel along with their mentors travelled to Dublin having been invited to play Kilmacud Crokes U12 team. The fully occupied bus departed Tom Ryall Park at 8.30am.
On the day that was in it, Kilmacud Crokes were hosting a number of other hurling/camogie teams so all pitches at their club grounds were in use. Fortunately, they also have the use of additional pitches in Deerpark and this is where our match was played. Although pitch conditions were not ideal here, the rain held off. St. Brigid’s dominated throughout the first half assisted by a strong breeze. Whilst much of the play centred round the forwards, a few positional changes in the second half ensured all players participated well. Injuries to both Tara Ronan & Sarah Harrison prevented both from playing on the day, however, there was no shortage of support and encouragement from the sideline as a result. When the final whistle blew, St. Brigid’s were comfortable winners and the end of match score was 4 goals & 3 pts to 1 goal & 1 pt.
Afterwards the team and mentors were invited back to Kilmacud Crokes clubrooms in Stillorgan for refreshments which were very much appreciated by all given our early start. Thank-yous were once again echoed by all the St. Brigid’s crew as we departed and made our way to the main attraction and focus of the day – Croke Park.
We must extend a big thank you at this stage to our Bus Driver, Sean Dermody who successfully navigated us to a parking spot very close to the “hallowed ground”. Not content with just arriving there, the girls wanted to make sure that once inside the stadium they could be heard, so a necessary stop to pick up some very loud foghorns ensued! We made it in just before half time in the Minor game. There was great support from St. Brigid’s for local star Billy Ryan. Having nailed that one eventually in extra time, we prepared ourselves for the excitement of the Senior game. Through hailstorms and deluges of rain St. Brigid’s continued to roar on the Cats to success, managing thankfully to stay dry themselves in the process.
Leaving the stadium with very happy hearts and having safely arrived back at our bus we commenced our journey home, not before Sean, who was ably assisted by his co-pilot Cian, patiently got us through some very heavy match traffic. With a hungry bus in tow we arrived to Supermacs Carlow and after some intitial delay sat down to a much welcomed meal. Delays were soon forgotten as burgers and chips never tasted so good! Again a big thank you to Paul and his team in Supermacs for looking after us in what was one of their busiest days of the year.
We arrived back to Kilmanagh at 10.30 pm, fourteen hours after our departure but fourteen hours well spent by all on board. A huge thank you to Josie Ronan and the Camogie Club for helping to organize the day, a day the girls will remember for some time to come, made all the sweeter by securing minor & senior wins. Many thanks also to Sean Dermody who got us up and back safely despite intermittent noise pollution !!! Our mentors John Caldbeck, Stephen Delaney, Mary Ronan & Mary McCluskey deserve special thanks also for making sure everything happened on time on the day and ensuring the safety of all who travelled.
Finally the last Thank You must go to the girls themselves. St. Brigid’s Camogie Club can be very proud of their U12 panel. A real credit to their parents & teachers. Camogie days are looking good for St. Brigid’s Club with girls like these on board !!!!
Panel: Dearbhla Cullen, Caroline Brennan, Kate McCluskey, Caoimhe Butler, Sinead Murphy, Margaret Maher, Caoimhe Cahill, Kelly Lanigan, Tara Ronan, Sarah Harrison, Aoibhe Murphy, Abbey O’Keeffe, Roisin Casey, Cliona Teehan, Katie Dunne, Isabelle Caldbeck, Caragh Keating, Lucy Egan, Faith Delaney, Kate Everard, Molly Butler, Reece Delaney, Ellie O’Neill
Report by Mary McCluskey