Bumper Senior Camogie Championship to start this week
Sponsor's of the Carlow camogie club championship ,AZAP Print's Jimmy Barcoe and Ger Brennan with Carlow camogie club captains from senior, intermediate and junior clubs at the Carlow Camogie Club Championship Launch. Photo: Pat Ahern
“It is the first time we have had all ten clubs in the adult championship,” said Fixtures Secretary, Linda Kenny, at the launch of the Carlow Camogie Championship in Carlow Town Hurling Club last Monday week.
The weather played its part and the organisers were able to hold proceedings outdoors where Carlow GAA Photographer, Pat Ahern, took quality shots of the players, who were representing their clubs.
“I would like to thank Jimmy (Barcoe) and Ger Brennan from AZAP Print for their support of the championship,” said Kenny who also expressed her appreciation to the Carlow Nationalist for covering the event.
She also pointed out that this was a celebration which highlighted the growth of the game in the clubs on this historic occasion.
“I wish everyone the best of luck in the championship and thank you for giving your time by being here tonight. It is great to have three grades now. It will be an exciting championship,” predicted the highly decorated officer who has served the game well at club, county and national level.
All three championships at junior, intermediate and senior level promise to be close and exciting.
No doubt, Myshall seniors will be hell-bent on regaining the title they lost to Mount Leinster Rangers last year. The reigning champions and Naomh Bríd will have something to say about that. Rangers were worthy winners last year and will be out to prove this was no fluke. They must be favourites to complete a two in a row but all three other clubs, Ballinkillen, Naomh Bríd and St Mullins have credentials too.
There are only three teams in the intermediate but Burren Rangers, Setanta and Muinebheag have not just got designs on winning a championship, they want to play at senior level. Setanta won the junior last year too and they are ambitious.
The junior sees Carlow Town return to championship fare for the first time in over 30 years. Picking a winner is akin to backing a horse with no real favourite in the race. At the launch there was talk of it possibly being Kildavin-Clonegal’s year. Such whisperings are sometimes worth listening to?
Predicting winners is far from an exact science. Maybe Mount Leinster Rangers at senior level? Muinebheag at intermediate and Kildavin-Clonegal to lift the junior title? Let the race for championship honours begin.
Captain: To be selected Manager: Sean Sheehan Hopes for season: “Probably to push on more than we have the last number of years. We have always been on the outskirts of the semi-finals so we want to be competitive in every match,” says Rachel O’Brien.
If you don’t win the championship, who will? I can see Rangers winning it for the second year in a row.
League form: Ballinkillen didn’t play in the league.
Players in/out: “Everyone is in except Orla McDonagh who is gone travelling. Tegan Wall is also out.” How have you managed with training during the hot spell? “We took plenty of water breaks and tried to be as efficient as possible with the water and knowing what we could manage.” First game: At home to Myshall.
Captain: Not selected yet.
Manager: Frank Foley and Shea Hayes Hopes for season: “We want to get back into the county final and take it from there,” says Martha Dolan.
If you don’t win the championship, who will? It is very equal now. Not sure.” League form: Rangers won the league.
Players in/out: “The same panel as last year with a few younger players coming in.” How have you managed with training during the hot spell? It has been good. We sometimes trained early in the morning or late in the evening.” First game. Away to St Mullins.
Captain: Michelle Nolan Manager: Damien Cleere from Kilkenny Hopes for season: “To win the county championship,” says Michelle Nolan.
If you don’t win the championship, who will? “Mount Leinster Rangers or Naomh Bríd.” League form: “We were happy with the league form. We got to the final and were beaten by a point.” Players in/out: “The same panel as last year.” How have you managed with training during the hot spell? “Loads of water and electrolytes. Sleep well. That is it basically. It is good training in hot weather.” First game. Away to Ballinkillen.
Captain: Helen Roche.
Manager: Eanna Holland and Johnny Tallon Hopes for season: “To win a county final. We were disappointed last year,” says Helen Roche.
If you don’t win the championship, who will? “You would have to look at Rangers and Myshall.” League form: “We narrowly missed out on a place in the league final. There were plenty of positives to take from the league with some of our minors making their senior debuts.” Players in/out: “Lisa Abbey is not with us this year which is a big loss. Laura Regan has returned from her travels.” How have you managed with training during the hot spell? “We pushed it out to later in the evening and stayed out of the sun on the days we were training.” First game. A bye in the first round and away to Ballinkillen in the second round.
Captain: Kate Doyle Manager: Pat Mosey Murphy and Maurice Aylward.
Hopes for season: “We want to get back into the county final. In the last few years we have been in semi-finals and haven’t performed. A county final is our aim now,” says Kate Doyle.
If you don’t win the championship, who will? “Rangers opened it up last year and will be close again. It is wide open for other teams to come.” League form: “We were not that far away from Naomh Bríd when we played them. We were missing players who were with the county panel plus a few more. Some of our juniors played in the league. ” Players in/out: “Siobhan Elmes is gone to Australia and Michelle Boland is living in Fethard and playing down there. Margaret Brennan has a long term injury. We do have some young players coming up from junior but it hasn’t been confirmed yet.” How have you managed with training during the hot spell? “Electrolytes is the key. It is hard to have an appetite in the hot weather so having light meals before training is important. Plenty of water breaks too.” First game: At home to Mount Leinster Rangers.
Myshall v Ballinkillen in Myshall 8pm
St Mullins v Mount Leinster Rangers in Bahana, St Mullins 7pm
Mount Leinster Rangers v St Mullins in Borris 7pm
Ballinkillen v Carlow Town Hurling & Camogie Club in Ballinkillen 7pm
Mount Leinster Rangers V Ballinkillen in Borris 7pm
Naomh Brid V St Mullins in Superbowl 7.30pm
Mount Leinster Rangers V Kildavin Clonegal in Borris 11am
St Mullins V Carlow Town Hurling & Camogie Club in Bahana, St Mullins 7.30pm
