As the first adult camogie team in over 20 years takes to the pitch next Tuesday away in Erins Isle, we look back on the development of camogie in Clontarf GAA Club since it was reintroduced seven years ago. 2021 is the first year we have teams playing at every age group from adult down to U9s. The last adult camogie team to play for Clontarf was 22 was in 1999 (this team won their championship in 1993). This is our first year since then that we have an adult camogie team within the club.
We have many people to thank for the reintroduction of camogie to the club. It started with Stephen Behan and Anne O’Mahoney who worked hard behind the scenes to bring the game back. Stephen then went to Darren Ryan and David O’Neill, who were the coaches for the U10 and U9 girls at the time. These two teams were the first to start playing camogie again in the club due to their matches being on alternative weekends. They are now the minor team and the U16 team. Ger Dinan, who was our subsequent GPO worked hard to promote camogie around Clontarf, getting young girls interested in the sport and Will Lillis, our current GPO is continuing the great work of Stephen and Ger. A special thanks to Eoghan Hannigan, who not only coaches the adult, minor and U12s teams, he also helps other age groups with camogie when required and always works hard to keep girls interested and having fun while playing.
We have come a long way since 2014; not only do we have teams playing at all ages, but the U15s and U14s have two camogie teams each (U15A playing Div 1) and U13 now has three teams playing. We look forward to seeing how all the teams get on over the next few months and are very excited for the future of camogie in Clontarf!
Mairead O'Neill,
Minor/Adult Camogie Player and Pr Óg.