MINOR CAMOIGE 2020——— we remained in ROINN A and we had expectations for the class of Minor 2020. The challenge to be competitive was made more difficult for all due to COVID 19. However, we had a bunch of girls who had shown great character over the past few years (U16 Roinn A Champions 2018) so we had expectations of ourselves. One of keys to success was staying injury free so losing Kate McCluskey was a cruel blow to this group. This injury on top of others leading up to the Semi Final v Dicksboro obviously became too much on the day and we failed to meet our expectations. That was a pity but this group have a huge amount to look forward to as they develop their camogie careers.
Only five teams entered ROINN A 2020, no amalgamations, so we were in great company with favourites Thomastown, Gowran, Dicksboro and Clara.
Training this group was always going to be a challenge as we had half the team over 16 and balance were under 16. As a club, under 16’s trained as underage while over 16 girls trained with the Senior Team.
August 2020
First match was at home against Thomastown and after a great battle we lost out 5-11 to 3-10. Next up was CLARA away and we had a great win 4-13 to 2-4, a great team performance. Round 3 we had the dark horses for MINOR-U21-SENIOR camogie in 2020, Gowran. What a match as we fought tooth and nail for every ball and lost out to a last minute goal on a score line of 4-11 to 4-9. St. Brigid’s were delighted with their performance against a top team, the younger girls didn’t look out of place, the likes of Moya O’Brien, Claire Doheny, Lauren East, Robin Delaney, Lauren Ronan, Ava Brett and Katie Maher while the older girls, Tara Ronan, Isobel Caldbeck, Molly Butler and Kate Everard offered us great hope for the remaining year.
Round 4 was up against DICKSBORO who were unbeaten in the year to date and this was a match both wanted to win, for BORO to top the group and for St. Brigid’s to regain some confidence after our great performance but loss to Gowran. On the day we came with a great attitude as the team were now starting to gel and play with some confidence. A great match which had some great individual battles ensued and St. Brigid’s came out on top in the end St. Brigid’s 4-10 Dicksboro 1-16.
So we ended with 2 wins and 2 narrow defeats in League-Championship.
So the Quarter Final beckoned and we had to play CLARA who came with huge energy and pride. Great displays by Ellie O’Neill, Roisín Casey, Recce Delaney, Leah Brett and Maggie Maher backed up by the rest of the group ensured we survived and reached the Semi-Final on a score-line of 5-13 to 3-6. What a last 15 minutes we gave here as it was level going into last quarter.
ThebSemi Final v Dicksboro: What a pity as we promised so much, especially with our two previous displays. It was always a banana skin game as we had already beaten DICKSBORO in August and they were hurting as they felt they were poor on the night and some of their girls had possibly thrown away an U16 A final in 2020. We know we shouldn’t make excuses but we have to mention the niggley injuries to a few leading into game, the tough few weeks our U16s had in the previous 2 weeks and the loss of Kate McCluskey all came to haunt us. On the day we lost out to a better more focused DICKSBORO on a score line of 2-12 to 2-3.
We can’t forget the memories this group gave us over the last 10 years, highlights being Roinn A Schools Final in 2015 and of course that famous County Final win U16 v Thomastown in Bennettsbridge in 2018. Without a doubt this group have been a great group to work with especially the panellists and because of COVID 19 didn’t get much game time as there was no LEAGUE just a Championship. These girls seldom missed a training session the likes of K LANIGAN, S HARRISON, A MURPHY, A O’KEEFFE and C KEATING.
Gowran and Dicksboro contest the 2020 MINOR Final best of luck to both teams.
So that was Minor 2020 for ST. BRIGID’S———- are we a TEAM that likes a dry day? Our performances over the years suggests possibly!! We were all disappointed the way it ended, we didn’t do ourselves justice, that’s sport! We wish all our Minors of 2020 the best of luck especially the LEAVING CERTS OF 2021. These girls have so much to look forward to in the Camogie world over the coming years.
Huge thanks to all players, parents, supporters, umpires, camogie committee, Maurice(Gussy) and all the Ronan family, Covid Officer Ann-Maire and of course communications officer to Minors, Josie Murphy.
TEAM V DICKSBORO: Ellie O’Neill, Kate Everard, Roisín Casey, Robin Delaney, Molly Butler, Isobel Caldbeck, Moya O’Brien, Tara Ronan, Lauren East, Ava Brett, Recce Delaney, Claire Doheny, Lauren Ronan, Margaret Maher, Leah Brett. Replacements: Aoibhe Murphy,. Abby O’Keeffe, Caragh Keating, Ellie Lanigan, Aoife Power, Katie Maher. Injured Kate McCluskey, Sarah Harrison,. Kelly Lanigan.
Mentors Adrian Ronan, John Caldbeck, Ann Marie Hoyne Stephen Delaney.