48 CRAUGHWELL CAMOGIE A well known past Craughwell camogie player (Niamh Rooney) said recently 'If ever a song could represent a club over the past 18 years it has to be Chumbawambas 'I get knocked down but I get up again!''. This without a doubt has been the Craughwell Camogie clubs mentality and attitude for nearly the past 18 years where despite numerous attempts success at the adult ranks has not been an easy feat. Yet it was this attitude and mentality that stood at the hands of this winning side as they tasted their first piece of victory after an era of getting knocked down, on an early May afternoon in Tynagh of this year. That day was filled with what was to be the beginning of one of the most joyous victorious years that Craughwells adult camogie team and club has tasted since its founding. Indeed under an excellent training squad of Thomas Porter, Michael Connolly and Marie Kelly this story could not have ended in any other way. Craughwelll team set about resting the demons that have been hounding them for some time in finally defeating their nearby south Galway rivals Ballinderreen in the Junior League Final on a scoreline of 0-8 to 0-6. Indeed who would have known that five months later the two same teams would battle it out again to gain County Junior Championship honours. The day was set for Kinvara on October 20th 2012. Players were nervous and excited. Some playing in the last adult final Craughwell won under the charges of John Keane (Rip) in 1994, others not even born back that far and playing in their first ever final for their club. Either way, generations apart, Craughwell were one unit on the day with a combination of experience and youth. As predicted very little separated the sides throughout the game and this County Junior camogie decider developed into something of a lack lustre affair to begin with. Craughwell went in at half on a deficit of 1-3 to 0-3 but began immediately clawing back this deficit in the second half. The final moments were lased with excitement and tension with the pendulum swaying excitedly from side to side. Craughwells persistence eventually broke through the Ballinderreen defence with Lisa Hynes grabbing a point at the end of normal time to level the sides. This was followed on with a Henry Shefflin styled point from Sinead Gaffney. Gaffney who had already caught the ball twice scored from off the hurley the one point victory in the depths of injury time. Craughwell 0-9 Ballinderreen1-5. Victory at long last and well deserved too. For this was not any random victory but one that has been developing in the pitches of Craughwell for a long time. Indeed the victorious achievements did not end on that day and Craughwells quick celebrations were exactly that, quick, as they were requested for training the following morning at 10am! They had a Connacht Junior final to attend to the following weekend. Their opponents were the well established Roscommon team Athleague who's parish pushes into the boundaries of Galway. The game was fixed, to Craughwells delight in Gilligan Park, Craughwells home venue. A great turn out of home support followed the excellent performances of the Craughwell ladies on the day, especially sharp shooting free taker Shauna Burke and the outstanding Raychel Kelly & Jamie Giligan. Well taken goals by Marie Kenny and Emma Coughlan and points from a variety of players ensured that the Connacht Cup was going to be lifted by the ever influential Craughwell captain Carol Plower on that day on a scoreline of 2-12 to 1-11. Indeed victory could not have been achieved were it not for the competitive panel Craughwell have had throughout the year. The Porters sisters, Lisa, Linda and Laura shone persistently throughout the year along with contributing forwards Rachel Cahill, Sinead Larkin & Ammie Flaherty. An excellent defence that included Josephine Farrell, Erin Dolan, Sarah Connolly and the forever consistent Shannen Freaney & Jamie Gilligan ensured scores were kept to a minimum. As the saying goes 'reap what you sow' and the seeds have been planted in Craughwell camogie for quite a while now with a magnificent input into the training and coaching of underage teams. 'Seeds' such as Shauna Burke, Laura & Linda Porter, Debbie Kenny, Lisa Hynes and Sinead Gaffney are beginning to blossom into wonderful camogie players and are no doubt players to watch out for, for the future. On a final note we, the players, wish to thank all the people who have helped develop this wonderful club throughout the years and have put their endless time and effort into helping out, many without an end result. Many thanks to our management squad of Tom Porter, Michael Connolly and Marie Kelly whose time and effort has been immeasurable throughout the year. Thank you to our committee of Claire Connolly, Miriam Monaghan and Geraldine Kelly who organised so much throughout the year and to the Craughwell GAA for providing us with top class facilities as always. A special thanks to our sponsors especially Cawleys Bar in Craughwell who have finally got a return for all their input! Míle buíochas do gach duine. Ní neart go cur le chéile! BY ERIN DOLAN CRAUGHWELL Back row left to right: Niamh Connolly, Marie Kelly, Ammie Flaherty, Nicola Concannon , Debbie Kenny, Josephine Farrell, Niamh Connolly, Rachel Cahill, Emma Coughlin, Carol Plower, Erin Dolan, Lisa Porter, Aisling Cawley, Raychel Kelly Front Row left to right: Jamie Gilligan, Shannen Freaney, Linda Porter, Kate Dundon, Rosie Moran, Orla Callanan, Paula Hynes, Sinead Gaffney, Lisa Hynes, Laura Porter, Shauna Burke, Sarah Connolly, Meghan Bryan, Marie Kenny All-Ireland Camogie Final Parade of all Galway U14 finalists
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MzM2OTY=