Camogie-ClubOur Trip To Croker – Huge congratulations and well done to our U12 Camogie Team who took part in the Camogie Associations ‘Camán to Croker’ Initiative in Croke Park on the 8th August last. The Club entered Hurl Smart Week back in June and as a result were delighted to be selected to take part in this year’s event. With the first game scheduled for 10am the bus set out from Cullohill and Durrow in the early hours and headed to the hallowed grounds.

A very enjoyable day saw the girls take to the famous pitch for three games over the course of the morning. The opposing teams were St. Kevins of Dublin, Donaghmore/Ashbourne of Meath and Ballynestragh of Wexford. And how they rose to the occasion! All 19 players played out of their skins, putting on a tremendous display of skill and talent and achieving great success. ‘A joy to watch’. A most exciting day also for Molly O’Connor who refereed two games.

Following the excitement on the pitch, the girls, their mentors, parents and other family members went on a guided tour of Croke Park where they walked in the footsteps of legends as they visited the team dressing rooms, warm up areas, private lounge and media centre before going pitch-side via the players’ tunnel. They entered the Hogan stand via the winners steps and looked back down to the pitch and we’re sure many of the girls secretly imagined themselves taking the very same steps to hold aloft the All Ireland Cup sometime in the future. Then to the VIP area where they were given a detailed history of Croke Park and the naming of the different stands. They entered the upper tier on the Canal end and got to see Hawkeye and a bird’s eye view of the whole Park.

The group then got to explore the GAA Museum with its new exhibition galleries that vividly illustrate the story of Gaelic games from ancient times to the present day. They saw various medals and awards, including Sonia O’Sullivan’s and Katie Taylor’s Olympic medals. They also got to test out their skills in the interactive games zone. This was a fantastic occasion for all the U12 players and their mentors, parents and the travelling supporters, they had a great day which will remain in the memory for many years to come.

Camán to Croker is a fantastic initiative which focuses on a very important group, players under 12 years of age. It provides them with an opportunity to experience the skills and fun of the game and leaves them with fantastic memories of playing in Croke Park, a place where all young players aspire to play.

Team: Brid Drennan, Rachael Deegan, Aislinn Townsend, Abbi Townsend, Katie Healy, Blathnaid Deegan, Lucy O’Connor, Emma Delahunty, Cara Henderson Ella Henderson, Abbie Gibbons, Lisa Kirby, Una Brophy, Eva Dunphy, Rachael Dollard, Orlaith Whyte, Emma Delaney, Caoimhe Doheny, Amy Lacey.

Mentors: Padraig Henderson, Kay O’Connor, Joan Dollard.