Rangers out to retain title while Naomh Bríd eye up first senior crown since '99
Naomh Bríd's Katie Gary Murphy is possession as nd Mount Leinster Rangers's Martha Dolan gives chase during last year's Championship meeting between the teams. Photo: Pat Ahern
Mount Leinster Rangers won the AZAP Senior Camogie Championship Final in stunning fashion last year and backed that up by booking a return ticket to this year's final. Waiting for them is a Naomh Bríd side itching to their hands on the trophy for the first time since 1999. Kieran Murphy spoke with both camps.
After chasing a senior title for many years without success this year Mount Leinster Rangers find themselves in a position where they are togging out in defence of their crown.
Last year they were in a position that Naomh Bríd find themselves in this time but now that a senior title has been won, there are different challenges to be faced.
Rachel Breen of Mount Leinster Rangers doesn’t accept that there is an added pressure on the side as they face into this final.
“I suppose we would never feel under pressure. We are all in the same boat. Every match is important. We are just glad to be back to where we were last year. We are taking it in our stride and taking every match and every day as it comes,” she explains.
“It is going to be a very close game. Everyone is there for the same reason. It is an exciting week and should be an exciting match,” she says.
The champions certainly got a reminder from the side that they beat in the final in 2026 when Myshall got a modicum of revenge when coming out on top in the group stages.
When the dust had settled, Naomh Bríd, Myshall and Rangers all ended up with six points each. Points difference meant the champions didn’t top the group so they faced Myshall in the semi-final.
“There is such competition in Carlow camogie which is brilliant to see. No matter what the semi-final is it is going to be difficult. We had a close game against Myshall which we knew we would. We were glad to get over the line.” In that game supporters of Rangers were not sure whether they were three or four points up as the game went into the closing stages. In fact many of them believed they were only three ahead when they were actually four. Onlookers were nervous.
“Until the final whistle goes, I don’t think you can ever relax,” Breen points out.
So far the squad have not picked up any serious injuries as preparations continue. Anna Breen with a dislocated shoulder and Lorraine Bible with a cruciate issue are long-term but that is all.
Naomh Bríd last won a senior title as far back as 1999. It is a stat which everyone is acutely aware of in the club as Eanna Holland points out.
“We were the last team before Myshall went on their run,” says the key member of the back-room team.
“I hope there is something in it for us. This group have been in a few finals but just couldn’t get over the line. The girls are a little bit older and more experienced. Hopefully this will be our year.” Many of the squad have experienced county final football success with Old Leighlin this year. Dual status ensures both clubs are involved at the business end of the season. Naomh Bríd were comfortable winners over St Mullins in the semi-final “It is a testament to the work they players are putting in and the work they have done over the years,” points out Holland.
“We had a good performance against Myshall in the group. The games are becoming better and better since we got the girls back from county football. We have been building and are very happy since the St Mullins performance. This will be a different prospect now,” suggests Holland.
A week after the semi-final camogie win, Old Leighlin were convincing winners over Bennekerry-Tinryland in the senior football final. Remarkably, despite so much activity, Naomh Bríd should be able to draw on a full strength team for the final. Emma Brennan did pick up a knock against St Mullins but it was not football related.
“There are 13 on the panel that are dual players. Some are on the intermediate panel so there is the guts of 20 players. Managing them and the minutes they are training is a tough task at times,” agrees Holland.
He says that individual players and as a group an entire squad have been making the correct decisions.
“That is down to the group of players. They are very committed. They are out five nights a week between the two but between a management and a coaching point of view when you have them it is a matter of not over-working them.”
