ADARE GAA CLUB NOTES
Camogie Champions.
What a weekend for the Adare Camogie Club as Adare are crowned Junior A County Champions!! Bhí an lá linn!!
Final Score:
Adare 2:12
Galbally 1:06
Adare took to the field in Effin GAA pitch on Saturday undefeated, against a strong Galbally side with an equally impressive track record this season. Galbally was the team to beat this year and stakes were high as the winner would take all. Galbally having lost last year’s country final to Monaleen were not looking for a repeat.
Adare met Galbally in the first round of the 2020 Junior Championship with only 14 players on our team sheet. We led at half time but Galbally inevitably pulled away with 20 mins to go & never looked back.
2021 was a different season. Adare was equipped with a full complement of players, having season debuts from Carla Griffin, Ciara Dunne and Amy Mullins who joined the junior ranks from U16’s, Claire Roche from Minors & Galway golden girl Aislinn Connolly who came out of retirement.
Aislinn was a guest trainer for our final training session last year before we bowed out of the championship against Monaleen. She was so impressed with the comradery, attitude and team spirit that the seed was firmly planted to make a return. Having a true role model such as Aislinn, new recruits who joined ranks with seasoned veterans and leaders spanning many decades proved a winning combination for Adare. Five of the players who lined out on Saturday were asked along to watch the first adult camogie team play in Adare in the mid 90’s and ended up togging out! Anette Casey, Laura Hourigan, Claire McNamara, Grace McNamara and Evette Walsh have been playing with every adult team since!
Despite playing in the depths of November, the pitch in Effin was in great condition. It remained dry throughout the game, the wind picked up at times, in Adare’s favour in the first half & returned the favour to Galbally in the second half.
Adare had a tentative start leading 0-3 to 0-1 by the first water break. Nerves were showing at times (to be expected when the stakes were high) but we had unbelievable support in the stand & Adare settled into their rhythmin the second period of play. Aislinn Connolly scored a fabulous goal from play & Caoimhe found the back of the net with her razor sharp free taking. It was 2-8 to 1-2 at half time.
Galbally had an uphill battle in the second half. But as true competitors, they came out fighting. We led 2-10 to 1-4 by the second water break. It was a matter of bringing it home for the final period of play. Adare were able to bring on four subs in the final quarter with Ava Kiely was about to go on for Ciara Dunne when the ref blew the final whistle. Adare leading by 2-12 to 1-6.
It was fantastic to see so many young girls in attendance at the country final to see their heroes lift the cup. Club President, Lizzy O’Dea, was there to witness the occasion. Chair of Limerick County board Grace McNamara had the pleasure of presenting her team mate Sophie O’Callaghan with the cup. Testimony to the professionalism Grace has brought to Limerick county board, there was a medal ceremony for the referee, linesmen and umpires on the day.
Sophie O’Callaghan who was presented with Player of the Match has had an outstanding season as captain. She has been a great role model, especially for our younger players and she is widely respected by our Senior girls. Comhghairdeas Sophie!!
Adare are fortunate to have leaders all over the pitch. Caoimhe Costello’s track record as highest free taker for the club will remain safe for a few years to come at this rate. We are fortunate to have had a considerable amount of our panel play with their respective Limerick county teams at U16, Minor, Junior and Senior.
We are delighted to have a healthy pipeline of players coming up the ranks next season from under 16 and we hope they will make their debut in the Junior League in 2022 before we make the step up to Intermediate for the 2022 Championship.
Adare had 8 girls on Saturday who are looking to do the double this coming weekend when the Adare LGFA team take on Athea in the Junior A county final in Askeaton GAA pitch on Sunday 28th November at 3pm. We wish the girls every success! Go n-eirí an tadh Libh!!
Team: Evette Walsh, Emily Butler, Louise Butler, Amy Mullins, Hannah Sweeney, Sophie O’Callaghan (Captain), Maeve O’Halloran, Marie Butler, Ciara Dunne, Annie Giltenane, Caoimhe Costelloe, Lauren Ryan, Carla Griffin, Aislinn Connolly, Grace McNamara.
Subs: Mary Carey (Annie Giltenane), Laura Hourigan (Carla Griffin), Annette Casey (Grace McNamara), Claire McNamara (Lauren Ryan), Shauna Lohan, Ava Kiely, Claire Roche, Sarah Carey, MaryAnn Canty, Chloe McCarthy.
Scores: Aislinn Connolly 1-4, Caoimhe Costello 1-8 (1-4 from Free’s).
Team manager: Michelle Gallagher
Strength & Conditioning / Coach: Tony Dunne
Selectors & Mentors: Seamus Giltenane and Tom Butler
1st Aid: Kay Kiely
Covid Supervisor: Angela Dunne
Team Captain Sophie O’Callaghan
Additionally the club would like to thank everyone who travelled to Effin to support the team – it was great to see and hear you all there! and of course the Fitzgerald Family at the Woodlands Hotel who looked after us all so well.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh!!
Munster Championship Medal holders in the club……
Rounding off a fantastic weekend for the Adare Camogie Club, the county board presented the 2020 & 2021 Munster Championship medals at the Camogie County Final in the Gaelic Grounds today.
Comhghairdeas to…
Hannah Sweeney who received her 2020 U16C Munster Championship medal
Carla Griffin & Ingrid Cussen who received a 2021 U16B Munster Championship medal
Emma Mullins who received a 2021 U14A Munster Championship medal .
Well done girls! The future is bright for Adare Camogie.