CARLOW U16 CAMOGIE TEAM - Outstanding Achievement Award

Sunday 4 August 2024 was an historic day for Carlow camogie when the county’s Under 16 side beat Down to take the All-Ireland Under 16 B Final.

This win didn’t just happen. In previous years a lot of good decision making and careful planning created the platform where Carlow could come to a final and feel that if they played well then they could win it.

After all most of that team were on the under 15 side which won a national title the season before. That side went on and played the top counties such as Kilkenny, Wexford, Offaly, Meath and Dublin in Leinster. There was set-backs along the way too where Laois beat them well in a Shield Final.

It was a learning curve for the players but they took it all in. The management team would say there were no individuals. They had skill and were committed to what they did.

In the group games in 2024, they easily accounted for Roscommon, Westmeath and Down to make the semi-final. In the last four, Kildare awaited but Carlow swept the Lily-White challenge aside with a 2-11 to 0-5 win. And so they faced the Mourne players again in a winner take all at Abbotstown.

They would not be denied. All around the pitch players produced and played to their potential. Grainne Grennan scored an early goal and at half-time, Carlow led 1-7 to 0-2.

In the second period, Down rallied but could never pull back the Carlow lead. A Kate Burke goal from a free was vital for the eventual winners. A superb defence ensured Down would get nothing easy.

And when Amy Doyle raised a third green flag for Carlow they just had to avoid accidents. This they did but it was close. Even Doyle’s second goal didn’t ensure victory but at the end a 4-7 to 1-10 victory for the Barrowsiders saw the underage championship title coming back to their county with a never to be forgotten victory.