Castlebar Mitchels Hurling and Camogie Club and the World Summer
Games.
With the Special Olympics World
Summer Games coming to Ireland later this year, it was a unique opportunity for
the members of the Hurling and Camogie Club to offer their assistance in some
tangible way to this most worthy cause.
There are many aspects of these games which deserve support but the club
decided to try and help the local situation. With Western Care participating at many
levels, it was decided to offer the proceeds of the club’s weekly lotto for the
St Patrick's weekend, to Western Care World Summer Games. A magnificent effort was organised by Fr
Michael Murphy, Ray and Mary Coy and all the members who undertook to sell
tickets that week end. The response
was amazing and a sincere thanks to all involved, both sellers, and especially
the general public, who responded so generously. The Hurling and Camogie Club are
delighted to be associated with this historic occasion and wish all the athletes
the very best of good wishes. The
success of these games is the participation of so many from all parts of the
world and the experience, for both participants and their families, will long
endure. These surely are the true
sportspeople.
Hurling Team Coaches
Club Coaches
Gavin Keary & Ger Whyte
Senior :
Mark Deely
U-18
Daren Greaney, Donal Horan
U-16
Steve McKeogh : John Kennedy : Freddie Collins : Seamus
Dowling
U-14
Tony Gavin : Steve McKeogh : Aiden Keane : Paul
O’Meara
U-12 Gerry
Lane : Sara Casey : Andy Neary : Tom Dollard : Tom Brophy :Paddy O’Brien : Liam
Osbourne :Sean O’Donnell
U-10 Vincent
Sheerin : Conal O’Domhnaill : Maeve
Murphy : Martin Greaney : Mick Connolly
U-8 Peter
Sheridan : Michael Howley : David Byrne : Barry
Murphy
Camogie
Senior Kevin
O’Connor
Underage
Noreen Heston : Vera Mannion : Marian Silke : Mary Morgan : Lilly Whelan
: Maeve Murphy
Under Age
Registration
Registration Day
is Sat 5 Apr between 3.30 and 5pm at An Sportlann. Registration is €10,
whilst hurleys and helmets can be purchased at a special subsidised
rate.
Training for U-8 ,U-10, U-12
commences on Wed 9 Apr @ Mc Hale
Park from 6 to 7 pm.
There
will be a Juvenile meeting on Wed 2 Apr @ 8.30pm in An
Sportlann.
Camogie
Back in the 1880s, and following
the footsteps of their male counterparts, the ladies of Ireland, freed
themselves of the shackles of an age which frowned upon the active participation
of women in sport to add a new dimension to an Irish Ireland - the game of
Camogie. It is believed that
camogie had its origins in the Keating Branch of the Gaelic League in Dublin
about 1903. The first public camogie match ever took place between two Dublin
clubs Cuchulains and Keatings in Navan on Sunday 17th July 1904, with Keatings
winning by a goal to nil. In 1905 An Cumann Camogaiochata was officially
inaugurated at 8 North Frederick St, Dublin on February 25th, with Máire Ní
Chinneide as President. In 1932 a
re-organisation was required as some clubs began to play the game according to
the Camogie Rule Book, with others following Hurling Rules. On 25th April a
special Convention in the Gresham Hotel attended by sixty delegates sorted this
problem and this marked the arrival of Cumann Camogaiochta na nGael, as we know
it today. The All-Ireland Championship came into being. 1959 saw Mayo lose to
Dublin in an All reland senior Camogie League Final. In 1966-67 Una O'Connor of
Dublin received the Texaco Award , whilst another great exponent of the game,
Sue Cashman, Antrim was honoured by Caltex in 1967. They are the only two
camogie players ever chosen for these awards. In 1976-77 the National Senior League
was introduced with the first final being played in '77 with Tipperary taking
the title by beating Wexford 4-2 to 1-3. Also in '77 the first Purcell Cup
Competition (for third level colleges) was held with Mary Immaculate, Limerick
being the victors. Camogie celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 1979 when a
National League was inaugurated for the counties of Junior status. Armagh were
the first winners of An Corn de Burca, just piping Kildare 2-5 to 2-3 after a
thrilling final. On the 1st of August 1980, Jo Golden became the first Oifigeach
Forbartha of the Association. With the support of the GAA, which provided an
office in Croke Park, Cumann Camogaiochta na nGael finally had its own
headquarters.
In 2002, Castlebar
Mitchels Hurling Club took on the task of inaugurating Camogie in the town and
under the astute directorship of Chairman Fr Michael Murphy and the leadership
of Noreen Heston a camogie club was started. With a panel of enthusiastic girls the first
steps were taken last year. Kevin O
Connor undertook the daunting task of coach and with skill and craic, a team was
assembled. This team took its first
competitive outing two weeks ago against Carnmore of Galway followed by a visit
to Oranmore last week. The ultimate goal is Croke Park and who is to say that
they cannot follow in the footsteps of their footballing
sisters.
Sponsorship from
Reilly Brothers was gratefully received and the Mitchells jersey will now host
the logo of ‘Reicon’. We wish both
the sponsors and the girls all the very best in the future.
Level I
Coaching
The level 1 coaching course
commenced on Thu night last in An Sportlann. Gery Spelman will be the coordinator and
will be assisted by Gavin Keary.
There was a fine turnout on the first night and we wish the participants
the best of luck.
Lotto
Winners of the weekly lotto which was held in
McCarthys Pub last Sun night were as follows:
House Draw – John Kennedy : €20
Michael Kilcoyne and Regina McTigue.
Eamonn Shaughnessy spun the wheel and despite the attendance of
counsellors, advisors and an admiring fan club he was unable to land the wheel
on target. Being the good sportsman
that he is, he did not leave the other patrons out in the cold. Next week Paul Basquill will have the
pleasure of spinning the wheel, which will take place in Coynes pub about
1030. Come along and enjoy the
craic – who knows you might even win.
Guess whos coming to
Town – watch this space for exciting
news.
