Camogie

HISTORY OF CAMOGIE IN NA PIARSAIGH

Contrary to popular belief  a camogie team was first fielded in the late fifties. After an auspicious inaugural season in which the championship semi-final was reached interest in the game seemed to fade after only one year.  In 1969 a ladies committee was formed and they were prompted to revive camogie in the club. A junior team was entered in competition and the club became affiliated at the Cork Camogie  Convention in 1972.

The camogie teams first success at adult level was quick to follow when they won the Junior County Final in 1979 under the captaincy of Marie Coughlan. As a consequence of this success, the team was upgraded to Intermediate  and  under the captaincy of Marian Twomey won the Intermediate County Championship  in 1981 thus entering the senior grade. The clubs first year in senior ranks was not as successful but in 1983 the Senior County Final was reached but a more experienced Killeagh team proved too strong on the day. The club continued to compete at senior level until  the mid nineties. Due to a fall in numbers at adult level a decision was made to disband and continue our efforts at underage level.

An underage section was also formed and to every ones delight the u14s won the Feile Na nGael in 1976. Into the bargain they made history by being the first camogie team to win in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Feile Na nGael became a household name for the camogie section of Na Piarsaigh as a very young Deirdre O Shea took the honours of winning the Feile Skills in 1979 and again in 1980. Jean Kent completed our trio of success by also winning in 1983. Our next generation of u14s were just as successful as they too took the title of Feile Na nGael winners in 1982.

REVIVAL AT ADULT LEVEL

In 2004 it was decided to enter a junior b camogie team in both league and championship. Within a few short years the league final was reached in 2008, 2009  and 2010 but without success. Finally in 2011 on a bright summers evening in July our luck was about to take a huge turn. The honours of League winners was bestowed upon us after defeating Castlemagner  in an epic final. From there this gave us the drive and determination to take on our next task, the championship. After a very successful and progressive championship campaign the team qualified for the Final. The game was to be played on Sept 10th in the Cork Camogie grounds in Castle Road, Mahon and the opposition was Sliabh Rua. Na Piarsaigh lined out a very strong and experienced team and with a strong wind to their advantage in the  first half they got off to a dream start with a goal in the opening minutes.  With a halftime lead of  1.04 v 0.01 Na Piarsaigh knew that Sliabh Rua would put up a strong attack in the second half  and with gale force winds behind them. In a dramatic finale Na  Piarsaigh secured their first Championship win at adult level in 30 years on a score line of 1.4 to 1.03. The dream was realised and Na Piarsaigh Camogie were back were they belong in Cork Camogie after winning the double under the guidance of Trevor Coleman and Trevor Allen.  2012 will see Na Piarsaigh contesting at Junior A level.

Due to our double success after a lapse of 30 years, the junior b team were awarded October  2011 Winners of The North City and District Sports Awards sponsored by The Ambassador Hotel.
A luncheon was held at the hotel on Tuesday 11th September where members of both the junior team and committee attended. The Award was accepted by Catherine Allen(chairperson) on behalf of the camogie section.

UNDERAGE SECTION

Na Piarsaigh Camogie Club boast of a very strong underage section. With an ever increasing membership of approx 150 members, the club currently fields teams from under 6’s through to under 18s. The underage section once again made history on March the 6th by being one of the first u12 camogie teams to play under the Go Games rules in Croke Park. An 11-a-side  display game was held at half time of the All Ireland Clubs final. Na Piarsaigh were also represented both last year and this year in the Feile Skills competition. Erin Mc Elhiney took 5th place last year and a fantastic 2nd place this year beaten by the narrowest of margins.

ANNUAL EVENTS

JOSIE MC DONNELL TOURNAMENT

For the past 20 years the camogie section have been running the Josie Mc Donnell Tournament. Josie was a long outstanding member of the camogie section and served as an officer and selector for many years. A plaque was presented to the camogie section in memory of Josie by the ladies committee. All kids aged 6 to 10 participate .Usually there are 6 teams all of which are named after past and present women who were and still continue to work in the camogie section eg Joan Guest, Ca Martin, Anne Coade and Joan Goggins. This event is ran over 6 weeks on a league basis with the finals usually held a few weeks before Christmas. Members of to the Mc Donnell family are always there to present the cup with John Gardiner to present the medals. But the highlight of the day is the visit they get from Santa.

NOREEN KENT SKILLS COMPETITION

Noreen Kent was a member of the ladies committee and was also a member of the first adult camogie team of 1972. For many years Noreen continued to play a vital role with the camogie section both on and off the field. Because of Noreens daughter Jean winning the Feile skills in 1983, the Kent family thought it a fitting tribute to Noreen by presenting the camogie section with a cup in her memory. The Noreen Kent Skills was first held in 2008. Rebecca Sheehan was the winner and the cup was presented to her by Noreen’s husband Michael(Mike). This was a special day for the family as it was to be the last time Mike would present the cup. The Noreen Kent Skills is held every year and is good preparation for the Feile Skills competition. Other winners are Emma Buckley and Sinead Simpson.

MAY O CONNOR

May O Connor was a member of the ladies committee back in the fifties and continued to work for the club for many years both with the ladies and the camogie section. In 2006, the O Connor family  donated a cup in memory of their mother and so the May O Connor tournament started. It is usually held in October for the u10 grade and clubs around Cork City and County participate. Previous winners of the cup are ourselves, Milstreet and last year St. Finbars.

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