ONTHEBALL THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE CAMOGIE ASSOCATION Spring/Summer 2016

AIB DECISIONS CLUB DECISIONS FINALS DECISIONS Milford hat-trick Coaching Corner Cahir in dreamland with Damien Young OUR SPORT, OUR FUTURE National Development Plan

+ VOLUNTEER AWARDS

Facebook.com/officialcamogieassociation @officialcamogie www.camogie.ie WELCOME – PRESIDENT CATHERINE NEARY Year to Date It has been a busy start to 2016 for the Camogie Association, on and off the pitch. President Catherine Neary reflects Camogie President Catherine Neary is introduced to the Milford players before the AIB All- Senior Camogie Club Championship on the year so far. Final at Croke Park – page 6

OUR SPORT, OUR FUTURE VOLUNTEER AWARDS What we’re really trying to do is Without our volunteers, games just meet the needs of our own players, wouldn’t happen. Volunteers are the members, clubs and people outside bedrock of our Association and they do THE CAMOGIE ASSOCIATION of the camogie community so that an incredible amount of work to ensure Croke Park, we can make sure we meet the that the Association is as strong and St Joseph’s Avenue, requirements of working in a new era vibrant as it is. Dublin 3. and moving on from where we have Tel: 01 865 8651 www.camogie.ie been previously. FIXTURES REVIEW Securing a broadcast deal and two One of the big issues we have this COPYRIGHT NOTICE commercial deals are big things for us. year is a fixtures review. This will look No part of this publication may be used or The important thing is for people to see at fixtures across the whole spectrum reproduced without written permission of the our game and to put our players front Camogie Association. If such permission is and the impact of inter-county granted, the source must be acknowledged at time and centre so that people can see the games on club games. We want to and place of use. skills. If you don’t see the game then have meaningful games with good you don’t really know about the game. structures. We want to make sure that DISCLAIMER each player can play at a level that’s The Camogie Association does not accept responsibility for, nor necessarily, agree with any AIB CLUB FINALS suited to their skillset. of the views expressed, statements or claims made The great thing about the All-Ireland in any articles, news items, or advertisements club finals is that it’s a community BEING PRESIDENT published in or with this publication. day. It’s also a celebration of the club One of the nice things about being EDITORIAL player and their chance to play in an President is that you get invited to a Brendan Coffey All-Ireland Final. To play in Croke Park lot of medal presentations at clubs. is huge because every kid growing That’s where you get to meet the real CONTRIBUTORS up who is in any way involved in workers on the ground. I think it shows Caroline Murray, Daragh Ó Conchúir camogie or hurling or , you the significance of the honour PHOTOGRAPHY everybody wants to play in Croke Park of being President when you see the INPHO at some point and not everybody can enthusiasm of people and the welcome get to do that. The fact that you can that you receive. I’ve been up as far DESIGN be there as a club player makes a as Donegal and it’s wonderful to feel EMCreative.ie huge difference and we saw that this that welcome. You realise the love that year with the excitement of Cahir and people have for the game of camogie FRONT COVER IMAGE: Cahir’s Kirsty Arbuckle Milford. You can see the significance and the importance of camogie in their celebrates after the final whistle at the AIB All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Club Championship Final of it for them. life.

2 • ON THE BALL • Spring/Summer 2016 NEWS IN BRIEF Camogie4 Teens 2016

amogie4Teens is a new and exciting initiative specifically for teenagers. C Johnstownbridge players pose for selfies at Croke Park on AIB Club Finals Day The Camogie Association were one where they were honoured for their All-Ireland Junior Club victory of five national governing bodies to receive funding for a project from the Coca Cola Thank You Fund. County Boards have already applied for the cluster of five that is chosen within The aim of this unique programme the programme and the 20 counties a county will host an element of the is to cluster Camogie clubs together in chosen are as follows: programme for the teenegers involved. a county in order to provide targeted Phase 1: Dublin, Meath, Carlow, Programmes include: Coaching programmes for their teenagers (15-18 Westmeath, Derry, Antrim, Cavan, Course, Referee Course, Admin/PR year olds). Galway, , Cork. Course, Lifestyle & Blitz days. Tutors There will be five clubs clustered Phase 2: Wicklow, Offaly, Wexford, for the courses will be organised by together for each programme. Each Kildare, Down, Armagh, Donegal, the Camogie Association through the club will be able to nominate 6-8 Roscommon, Clare, Tipperary. Regional Development Co-Ordinators. teenagers for the initiative. There will be 20 programmes in total and they will Five clubs will be chosen within each For more information contact: be run over two phases. county for the programme. Each club in [email protected]

AIB ALL-IRELAND AIB PROVINCIAL CLUB PLAYER AWARDS BILL & AGNES CLUB FINALS CARROLL CUP AIB, sponsor to both the GAA and Camogie Club Cork club Milford and Tipperary’s Cahir Championships, honoured 11 club players from camogie, The silverware on offer to the winner were the big winners at this year’s AIB football and hurling at the 20th AIB GAA Provincial Club Player of this year’s AIB All-Ireland Senior All-Ireland Club Finals. Awards. Club Championship Final had a new While Junior champions Killimor’s Susan Keane was the first star to be honoured at name. Johnstownbridge were also honoured on the ceremony hosted in Croke Park. The Galway sharpshooter Bill Carroll presented the cup the day at Croke Park, Cahir and Milford took home the Connacht camogie award. The Ulster camogie anonymously and it was only after he had the thrill of climbing the steps of the club gong was awarded to Emma McFadden of Loughgiel died that the trophy took on his name. Hogan Stand. For Cahir, it was especially Shamrocks. Leinster winner Ciara Storey, daughter of 1996 Now though, he will be joined by his sweet having known final heartbreak last All-Ireland winning captain Martin, followed in his footsteps as late wife to be remembered annually December. she skippered Oulart-The Ballagh ladies to back-to-back Leinster on one of the biggest days of the A total of 17 members of the panel were success. Milford stalwart, Ashling Thompson, scooped the camogie calendar, when the Bill and involved when Cahir lost the intermediate Munster camogie club player of the year award. Agnes Carroll Cup will be on offer. ladies football decider by two points but they got to experience the other end of the spectrum with this nine-point victory over Eyrecourt, 0-14 to 1-2. SPORTSWOMEN AWARDS In the Senior final, Milford collected Cork dual stars Briege Corkery and Rena Buckley were both recognised with the Irish Times/ Sport Ireland their third title in four years following a Sportswoman of the Year award for 2015. 2-8 to 1-3 victory over Killimor. Second Corkery and Buckley played starring roles in the Cork teams that won both the All-Ireland camogie and half goals from Maria Watson and Laura women’s football titles last September. It brought their individual All-Ireland medal tallies to 16 – six each in Stack, in response to Claire Conroy’s camogie and 10 each in football – and no GAA player has ever won more than that. They were also the first joint- 32nd minute major, set the seal on a well- winners of the award now in its 11th season, beating off the other 11 monthly award winners, including boxer deserved victory for the North Cork outfit. Katie Taylor, golfer Leona Maguire, rugby players Sophie Spence and Niamh Briggs, and jockey Katie Walsh.

Spring/Summer 2016 • ON THE BALL • 3 ALL-IRELAND INTERVARSITY FINALS Joy & despair on St Valentine’s Day

ASHBOURNE CUP was heightened when Mackey After another dramatic finale to found the net once more and the Ashbourne Cup, University the sides were level with five of Limerick claimed their sixth minutes remaining. title thanks to an injury time UL edged a couple of points goal from Sarah Fryday. clear once more thanks to It was heartbreak for UCC Diggin but UCC got their noses on St Valentine’s Day in Gort in front for the first time, and as Fryday’s late strike gave apparently with impeccable UL a sensational victory, timing, when Mackey registered 3-12 to 4-7. It looked like her third goal. But that was the Cork contingent might reckon without the desire and have snatched the honours character of the Shannonsiders, themselves when turning a six- and when Diggin dropped point deficit around to lead by a late free into the square, two after a very late goal from McMahon got the final touch Cork All Star Catriona Mackey. to snatch the honours with the However the conclusion was game’s final act. typical of the ebb and flow of the decider. PURCELL CUP Favourites UL went two Cork IT won the Purcell Cup, points clear early on but UCC defeating Maynooth University thundered into life with a goal 1-12 to 0-4. Points from Wexford from the ever-threatening player Linda Bolger and Cork Mackey. UL bounced back underage star Michelle Murphy with a goal from Fryday and a helped establish a five-point point from Kerry sharpshooter, interval lead, 0-8 to 0-3. Bolger Patrice Diggin to extend their continued to find the target and lead to four. UCC halved that by it was comfortable in the end. the interval and the spoils were still up for grabs, 1-5 to 1-3. FR MEACHAIR CUP The margin was still two Trinity College emerged when Fryday struck for her victorious in the Fr Meachair second goal in the 44th minute Cup, winners by five points and another point from player on a scoreline of 1-10 to 0-8 of the match Diggin, who against Athlone IT. finished with a tally of eight The sides were deadlocked points, put six between them. at half time, 0-7 to 1-4, but with JUMPING FOR JOY: Back came UCC once more, the defence holding firm and Jacinta Crowley and with another Cork panellist, Dublin forward, Aisling Maher Claire Tyndall of CIT Hannah Looney with a goal 11 keeping the scoreboard ticking celebrate winning minutes from time. The drama over, it was Trinity’s day. the Purcell Cup Final

4 • ON THE BALL • Spring/Summer 2016 O’NEILLS ALL-IRELAND POST PRIMARY FINALS Top of their CLASS

SENIOR A 0-3, S O’Dwyer, R Kelly 0-2 St Brigid’s, Loughrea 2-6 each; E Keoghan, C Dowling Loreto, Kilkenny 0-9 0-1 each.

The double dreams of Loreto POTM: Patricia Manning PARTY TIME: St Brigid’s College players celebrate after College, Kilkenny were winning the Camogie Senior Schools A Final dashed by a second half rally SENIOR B from St Brigid’s of Loughrea, Scoil na Tríonóide, who left MacDonagh Park Doon 4-10 SENIOR C Augustine’s, Dungarvan. in as the Senior A St.Joseph’s College, St Joseph’s, Doyle was responsible for champions. Lucan 0-3 Rochfortbridge 1-8 1-7 of the winners’ tally. Loreto looked well on the Mercy, Roscommon 1-7 way to bagging the honours It was one-way traffic for Our Lady of Lourdes Scorers: as they led by double scores A Kirwan 1-0, O Doyle 1-07 Scoil na Tríonóide against St Joseph’s, Rochfort- at the break, 0-6 to 0-3. Aoife St Augustine’s Scorers: M St Joseph’s, Lucan in the B bridge enjoyed a one- Hannon scored three points Curran 1-2, K Tobin 0-1 final, who laid the platform point victory over Mercy for Loreto but St Brigid’s had for their win with a stunning Convent, Roscommon at been terribly wasteful, failing POTM: Oonagh Doyle, Our first half display. Mountmellick. The brilliance to capitalise on possession. Lady of Lourdes The Limerick outfit made of Hannah Core, who was They made no mistake full use of a strong outfit and named player of the match, in the second half though JUNIOR B none more so than Gráinne saw St Joseph’s edge it by and with Patricia Manning Regan, who helped herself to 1-8 to 1-7. Colaiste Choilm, giving a tour de force that a hat-trick of goals. Ballincollig 3-6 earned her player of the Molly Hammersley added POTM: Hannah Core, Our Lady’s, Terenure 3-2 match honours, they another and there was no St Joseph’s threw everything at their way back from a 4-6 to 0-2 The Junior B decider opponents. interval deficit for their SENIOR D provided plenty of Goals from Aisling Lucan rivals. entertainment in the form Connolly and Katie Manning Our Lady of Lourdes, of six goals and some turned the tide in St Brigid’s Wexford 2-7 Scoil na Tríonóide Scorers: G wonderful play by the young favour, leaving Loreto’s St Augustine’s, Regan 3-0; E McDonald 0-5; girls but Ballincollig’s hopes in tatters. Dungarvan 1-3 M Hammersely 1-1; L Leonard Coláiste Choilm always 0-2; G Fox, J Kelly 0-1 each looked the likeliest winners. St Brigid’s Scorers: S Healy Our Lady of Lourdes, 0-5; A Connolly, K Manning Wexford were propelled POTM: Grainne Regan, Scoil POTM: Eimear Ni Chadhala, 1-0 each; S Spellman 0-1. by Oonagh Doyle to a na Trionoide Colaiste Choilm Loreto Scorers: A O’Carroll seven-point win over St

Spring/Summer 2016 • ON THE BALL • 5 MY CLUB AND I: SARAH SEXTON, MILFORD ‘Camogie was our first love’ Milford captain, Sarah Sexton, led her club to their third All-Ireland Senior title in March. Injury kept her out of the final but having suffered four county final defeats in Milford captain Sarah Sexton and six years, every success is sweet. By Brendan Coffey Lisa Healy lift the cup at Croke Park

ike so many girls from Milford, Sarah it one more year and try and get back.’ fourth provincial title on the trot. LSexton developed the camogie habit Then we’d get back to a county final and “Our success will bring on the young. we wouldn’t be able to do a job on the younger crowd again,” said Sexton, “Camogie was our first love, we didn’t day.” reflecting on their third All-Ireland have anything else really,” she says. Despite so many losses, their belief victory in March. “It needs to be “It was instilled in us from a very early never wavered. “We always knew it was nurtured because we were nurtured. age. We started in ’97 with Ann Watson within us, that was the thing. We knew And that’s the only reason we’ve been and Sheila Thompson. We did a lot of that there was one county title in us and successful because we were nurtured Community Games and mini-sevens we thought if we could get one we’d be and taught the good habits years ago.” and that kind of stuff and Mosney was away and that’s what happened.” Some habits die hard though. the big thing of course. We started from Their breakthrough success came “If I’m not training, if I didn’t have there and it started building and we’ve in 2012. The All-Ireland followed and something to do on a Wednesday night, been going from strength to strength they’ve hardly known defeat since. a Friday night or a Sunday morning, ever since.” “Last year we said if we got another you’d be like, ‘oh my God, what am I Initially, success was all they knew. county we’d be happy but once you get going to do?’” says Sexton. “And for “We won everything growing up from that, you’re looking for more. It’s pretty myself, because I’ve been out injured, under-12 to under-18. Then we won a amazing.” the whole idea is to get back. Please Senior B but for ages the only thing that Winning back-to-back All- God I will and hopefully we’ll win we couldn’t get was a County Senior (2013 and 2014) gives you a taste another county.” title. We had lost four county titles in for the big time. When Milford won Milford may be a small place but their six years. People kept saying, ‘we’ll give Munster again in 2015, it was their passion runs deep.

6 • ON THE BALL • Spring/Summer 2016 “We’d die on the pitch for each other”

A Dream Come True

MY CLUB AND I: AISLING MCCARTHY – CAHIR

hen Aisling McCarthy first played camaraderie we have, we’d die on the “It’s a bit sweeter winning because Wcamogie, the club in Cahir was pitch for each other.” we lost the football. You know the only getting off the ground. In the All-Ireland Final against hurt that there is and just the absolute “I started playing camogie when Eyrecourt, Cahir just had too much excitement and to go up the steps of I was six or seven,” the 20-year-old class for their Galway opponents. the Hogan Stand and all the people Cahir captain recalls. “The club only Winners by nine points, they were an in your community are congratulating started 15 years ago and I suppose it’s unstoppable force. you. I think that there’ll be a buzz the girls that are about 25 now, they “I just think that we really wanted around the town now for a good while. were on the first team. They wouldn’t this one,” said McCarthy. Even though It’s a fantastic day for the club,” said have won a match really but they just success has followed closely behind McCarthy, whose grandparents were kept going.” throughout her career, it was the in Croke Park to witness her latest From humble beginnings to All- memory of defeat that inspired the success. Ireland glory in Croke Park, it’s been final performance. A second year physiotherapy one hell of a journey for the Tipperary “We lost an All-Ireland, 17 of us, in student at (UL), club and McCarthy has been there December and we weren’t going back McCarthy won an Ashbourne Cup most of the way. into a dressing room like we were in medal last February. Already, she’s “It’s a dream come true to even play December,” said McCarthy, who was looking to the future. in Croke Park with your clubmates, on the Cahir ladies football team that “I think we showed winning an never mind winning,” said McCarthy lost the intermediate club final at the Intermediate All-Ireland that we in the aftermath of victory at this year’s end of 2015. could have a good chance at senior in Intermediate club final. “We’re just a Redemption came courtesy of Tipperary. We’ll give it a rattle and see family really, we’re best friends. The camogie. where we go.”

Spring/Summer 2016 • ON THE BALL • 7 NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Camogie Association launches new dynamic four-year plan The Camogie Association unveiled a new national development plan at the AIB All- Ireland Club Finals in Croke Park on 6 March.

ntitled ‘Our Sport, Our Future’, the sports organisation and remains at the partnerships will also play a part in Eplan outlines a four-year vision for forefront of women’s sport in Ireland. promoting Camogie. In recent years the future of the game with growth “With this national development the game has benefited hugely from and development at the heart of the plan, the aim is to build a prosperous the involvement of sponsors like AIB agenda both on and off the pitch. It and high-profile future for Camogie and Liberty Insurance, and I think is a result of a lengthy consultative without letting go of the game’s proud there’s a lot of other brands out there process between the Camogie heritage and history,” said Neary. “We looking at the growth and the potential Association and its many stakeholders, want to make sure Camogie remains of Camogie and thinking that is especially its players. as a strong voice within the national somewhere they’d like to be. The feedback received has led to a sporting conversation, and part of an “Change is also firmly on the series of targets designed to secure a inclusive family into the agenda, and we have committed to a more modern and sustainable future future. series of organisational and structural for Camogie as part of the wider Gaelic “The plan today is a product of a changes that are designed, ultimately, games family. huge analysis process undertaken by to benefit clubs and players,” she said. In particular, the Association the Association with its stakeholders. “The more support we can give our intends to place a greater emphasis The opportunity to collect both players, the happier they will be and on commercial partnerships and positive and negative feedback by the more new recruits we will attract to promotions designed to raise those most invested in the game Camogie – that’s what we are working awareness of the game and encourage has ensured that we can work more towards.” more girls and young women to take collaboratively on delivering on and Under the terms of the four-year part. addressing any issues that exist over plan, the Camogie Association will There are four main elements to the next four years,” she said. also seek to integrate more closely the plan: On the Pitch; Off the Pitch; The four-year plan intends to place with the GAA with the support of In the Public Eye; and Strengthening a greater emphasis on its current and facilitators. The integration process Relationships. Work has already future players to help raise Camogie’s will be measured by the number of begun in a number of the areas profile for future generations. clubs adopting the ‘One Club’ model. identified, with all targets scheduled “Promoting the game is a key part “We’re proud to be part of the GAA for completion or to be established by of the plan, and we’re really keen family and we’re very happy to work 2019. to leverage the profile of individual closely with our fellow members where Presenting the plan, Camogie players by positioning them as role the overall aim is to benefit the game Association President, Catherine models at a local and national level for of Camogie,” said Catherine Neary. Neary, said the main purpose of the girls and young women who might like “That work has already started and it strategy was to ensure that Camogie to take up the game,” Neary added. will help to deliver a bright future for moves with the current trends as a “Developing new commercial everyone connected with our game.”

8 • ON THE BALL • Spring/Summer 2016 Getting more teenagers playing camogie is one of the goals of the National Development Plan

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Inspiring people to play, empowering them to stay Our Sport, Our Future is the third National Development Plan to be published by the Camogie Association. Including targets around on and off-the-pitch activities, this four-year strategy (2016-2019) is designed to grow awareness and participation levels

n the pitch, it was a famous day “There’s a momentum and an heart of what this association is about Ofor the clubs of Cahir and Milford interest and a drive around women’s and players’ voices and interests and as they tasted All-Ireland glory at Croke sport that certainly wouldn’t have been concerns feature in how we shape the Park, but it was another significant day there 10 or 15 years ago,” said Ard direction of the Association over the off the pitch for the Camogie Association Stiúrthóir Joan O’Flynn. next four years,” said O’Flynn. as President Catherine Neary launched Our Sport, Our Future is the third The plan identifies seven values for the latest National Development Plan on national development plan for the the Association –innovation, leadership, Sunday, 6 March. Camogie Association and came about voluntarism, fun, integrity, excellence Sport Ireland CEO John Treacy was through a consultation process that and inclusiveness. also present to witness the launch and involved more than 1,000 people. The “They are the things that will shape spoke about the growth of women’s majority of participants, 66 per cent, our decision-making in the future. And sport. identified themselves as players. they’ll also hopefully be the values that “The gap between the men and “Player are at the heart of what allow us to be a sustainable, relevant the women is closing in terms of this game is about, players are at the and modern organisation going into the participation. Before the gap was 10 future,” added O’Flynn. per cent and now it’s close to three or Among the specific goals of the four per cent,” said Treacy. “We all need KEY POINTS plan are an increase in participation to make sure that we are all the time • 4-year strategy, 2016-2019 numbers for teenagers and adults talking about women’s sport and making • Aim to grow awareness and participation over the age of 21. The Association is sure that it does get into the minds of levels also targeting more revenue through the media and the minds of people that • Includes targets around on- and off-pitch commercial partnerships while the matters follow sport.” pursuit of a broadcast deal is a major • Camogie Association will integrate One of the key pillars in the national further with GAA ambition. development is the promotion of • Developing commercial partnerships key VISIT WWW.CAMOGIE.IE camogie. to its future

Spring/Summer 2016 • ON THE BALL • 9 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Volunteers the bedrock of Camogie In 2012, the Camogie Association established the County Volunteer of the Year Awards to acknowledge the tremendous work carried out by volunteers within the Association. The County Volunteer Awards recognise people who have played an integral role in the development of camogie. Each year the 29 award winners are honoured at a gala presentation in Croke Park. The 2015 winners received their awards at Croke Park on 20 February, where more than 200 guests attended. On the day, the 12 referees who officiated at National Finals in 2015 were also presented with their medals. A Lifelong Volunteer Awards 2015

Antrim Kieran Convery Armagh Ann O’Hare Britain Bridget Hehir Passion Carlow Mick Lillis CAMOGIE AND ME: MARY CONNOR (LOUTH) Cavan Catriona Byrd Clare Catherine O’Gorman started playing camogie in 1964 with right up until my late 30s. It would be Cork Joan Casey ISt Anne’s in Co Louth and I’ve been unusual now but it wasn’t at the time. Derry Emmet McMcCloskey involved ever since. There was a young I have three children and they tell me Donegal Fergal Doherty priest in the parish, Fr Patrick Kennedy, they were brought up on the sideline! who started a camogie team. It was a They loved it. I was very lucky that my Down Bernard McKee rural parish and there was nothing for mum and father were big into it so I Dublin Anne Noctor girls at the time. I remember we used always had family support. Galway Seán Geraghty to cycle around to different fields to I’ve held every position in the club Kildare Aileen Kelly-Rafferty play because we had no set pitch. and I’ve been county chair and chair Kilkenny Sinéad Quigley Once I started playing, I had a love of of Leinster as well. I refereed two Laois Danny Gorman the game. My three sisters – Geraldine, All-Irelands in ’79 and ’81 and I was Limerick Paul Doyle Connie and Eileen – all played as well. a selector for the Camogie/Shinty Louth Mary Connor We were immersed in it. My three game in 2009. If I had given the time brothers played football with Naomh to a business that I gave to camogie I Mayo Rosaleen Duggan Fionnbarra. My whole family was would be worth a fortune but I wouldn’t Meath Teresa Clince involved in the wider GAA family. change it for the world. The fun that Monaghan Catherine Greenan At 18, I became secretary of St you have and the friends that you make New York Ger Lavery Anne’s. There were no phones so - you end up being part of a bigger Offaly Frances Teehan I used to cycle around the parish, family. Roscommon Geraldine Beattie dropping off notices about games and I’m still very involved with my club Tipperary Mary Howard meetings. It would take all evening but and I’m chairing the National Child Tyrone Tony Cassidy it was the done thing at the time. I was Welfare Committee. It’s hard to move Waterford Derek Healy one of the fitter players on the team! away from it. I still love to have the hurl The highlight for me was winning an in my hand on a summer’s evening. Westmeath Mary Glynn All-Ireland with Louth in 1982. I played Wexford Jacinta Roche alongside my three sisters. To run onto Mary Connor was one of the 29 Wicklow Trish Kehoe the pitch at Croke Park was magical, it County Volunteer of the Year Award was like nothing else. I played camogie winners in 2015

10 • ON THE BALL • Spring/Summer 2016 CAMOGIE FINALS REFEREES 2015

Referees who officiated at Under 16B: Justin Heffernan National Finals in 2015 were (Dublin v Waterford) presented with their medals at Under 16C: Aoife Woods this year’s Referees, Volunteer (Antrim v Westmeath) and Media Awards Dinner at Croke Park. NATIONAL LEAGUE FINALS Division 1: Owen Elliott ALL-IRELAND (Cork v Galway) CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS Division 2: Éamon Cassidy Senior: Ray Kelly (Cork v (Laois v Waterford) Galway) Division 3: John Dermody Intermediate: Jenny (Carlow v Dublin) Byrne (Kildare v Waterford) Division 4: Michael Ward Premier Junior: Gráinne (Kerry v Meath) Coulter (Laois v Roscommon) Junior A: Richard McNicholas ALL-IRELAND CLUB (Carlow v Kerry) CHAMPIONSHIP Minor A : Ray Kelly FINALS 2014 (Kilkenny v Tipperary) Senior: Cathal Egan (Mullagh Minor B: Philip McDonald v Oulart-The Ballagh) (Derry v Meath) Intermediate: Peter Dowd Minor B Shield: Julie O’Neill (Lismore v Piltown) (Antrim v Laois) Junior: Ger O’Dowd Minor C: Pat Kehoe (Four Roads v Kilmessan) (Armagh v Roscommon) Minor C Shield: Peter Dowd INTER-PROVINCIAL (Cavan v Monaghan) Under 16A: Liz Dempsey Junior: Jenny Byrne PRO OF THE YEAR: (Cork v Galway) (Munster v Ulster) Róisín Hartley, Waterford PRO

Camogie Association THE WINNERS BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA Media Awards #JointheJourney (Waterford) The Camogie Association Media Awards and Mick PHOTOGRAPHY Desmond Loughrey (Derry) Dunne Memorial Award recipients for 2015 were recognised at a gala presentation in Croke Park on PRO OF THE YEAR 20 February. Róisín Hartley (Waterford) MATCH PROGRAMME óisín Hartley received the PRO of the Year accolade while Waterford’s innovative Clare Camogie Board Rsocial media campaign #JointheJourney which followed the fortunes of the county’s All-Ireland winning season was awarded the Camogie Association Best Use of Social Media Award. LOCAL RADIO KFM and the Southern Star were named as the Mick Dunne Local Radio and Local KFM Newspaper of the Year respectively. Clare Camogie Board collected the accolade for Match Programme. Desmond Loughrey from Derry won the Photograph of the Year LOCAL NEWSPAPER award. This was the 10th year of the Camogie Association Media Awards. Southern Star

Spring/Summer 2016 • ON THE BALL • 11 COACHING CORNER So many decisions, so little time How many times does a player have possession?

CHAOS THEORY: How much time does a player have in Players learn to survive in the wild and possession? When Damien Young investigated, chaos of the game by playing a game the answers caused a surprise. By Brendan Coffey.

idway through Damien Young’s Young, addressing the audience. Life is comfortable. Eva lives in the Mpresentation at this year’s GAA The title of Young’s presentation – So wild. Every single day, Eva has to go Games Development Conference, there Many Decisions, So Little Time – is a and find her food. If she wants to eat, was an audible gasp in the room. neat description of the challenge facing she’ll have to run and chase down her Young’s analysis of last year’s All- players when they step onto the pitch. prey. Even with all her strength and Ireland hurling and camogie finals Take TJ Reid’s 17 possessions. skill, she’ll only be successful one in revealed some remarkable stats. “17 times he had to make a decision 20 times. If she doesn’t find food, she Kilkenny’s TJ Reid, player of the year, about what to do, where to hit it, when doesn’t eat. If she doesn’t find water, took just 0.8 seconds to score his goal to hit and who to hit it to,” said Young. she doesn’t drink. She has to learn in the final against Galway. Orla Cotter, “You have to be really adaptable for how to protect herself, she has to learn player of the match for Cork, had different environments.” how to adapt in order to survive. What possession 18 times in the camogie For Young, the challenge for coaches would happen if we put Zola into the final. In a match that lasted 63 minutes, is to improve the decision-making of wild, how long would she survive? She the most influential player on the pitch players. How do you prepare a player hasn’t developed the skills necessary to had possession for 39 seconds. for the chaos of a game? find food, to protect herself.” “You have limited time to “We learn the game by playing a For players and coaches, it boils make decisions on the ball. game,” said Young. “If we keep telling down to one thing – the game. Players have to execute players what to do can they think for “Tigers learn to survive in the wild under pressure from time themselves?” by being in the wild,” said Young, and opposition. The rest of To illustrate his point, Young summarising his presentation. “Players the time they’re making compared life in the zoo with life in the learn to survive in the game by playing decisions off the ball, jungle. a game.” they’re reading the play. “Zola (a tiger) lives in the zoo – They have to be really every single day John the zookeeper DAMIEN YOUNG skill efficient. If you brings her breakfast, lunch and an From Drom-Inch in Tipperary, Damien Young have limited time and evening meal. Even if she’s not has played senior inter-county hurling with limited possession, hungry, she’s fed. Every evening his native county and has also worked as they (players) have her cage is open, she goes in a Performance Analyst with the Tipperary to be really, really and she has protection from Seniors. Young is a lecturer on the Sports skilful to execute all the elements. Every day is Strength and Conditioning Course at Limerick that skill,” said Cork star the same, every day is easy. IT and Setanta College. Orla Cotter ‘THERE IS SO MUCH TO THINK ABOUT’ – GEMMA O’CONNOR In last year’s All-Ireland Final, Cork midfielder Gemma O’Connor was one of “You do so much work on the pitch – you’re running, you’re thinking. You the most influential players on the pitch. However she only had the ball in think that you’re more involved than what you actually are. It certainly teaches her hands 13 times and her total time in possession was just 29 seconds – an you that when you are on the ball it’s really important to distribute it well and average of 2.23 seconds per possession. not to be making crucial mistakes because you don’t know when you’re going “If I was asked to guess, it definitely would be more than two seconds. You to get on the ball next. would never think that you only have the ball 13 times. It really means that “There is so much to think about when you’re playing – are you going you’re not really on the ball that much compared to what you think you are,” to make a run or give the ball off straight away? Are you going to carry it? I says O’Connor. suppose a lot of it just comes from instinct.”

12 • ON THE BALL • Spring/Summer 2016 Cork star Gemma O’Connor is facing and how do you counteract it. I enjoy into her 15th season trying to out-smart the other team.” In terms of the league, which is now building towards a conclusion, the mindset has not changed much. “I still think the league is used to try out new players and different strategies. It’s not taken as seriously as the championship for obvious reasons but people would be lying if they said they didn’t want to win a league. It’s a great way to try out new things.” In other areas, the lack of change frustrates. “I think camogie is a long way away from where it should be and where I would like it to be. The coverage is still kind of back in the dark age, if CAMOGIE: THEN AND NOW you compare it to ladies football we’re miles behind because they have great PR and they have TG4. You won’t get what you want in terms of PR unless ‘It’s become like a it’s going to be televised. As long as games aren’t being televised, camogie is going to lag behind. I probably won’t game of chess’ see it in my generation but for players in the future it would be nice to see some of those championship games Ten years ago Cork beat Tipperary to win the Division televised.” 1 league title but even at that stage, Gemma O’Connor To that end, the Camogie Association are pursuing a broadcast was well established in the Cork side. Facing into deal during the lifetime of their latest her 15th season, O’Connor reflects on the changing development plan, which runs from 2016 until 2019. landscape in camogie. By Brendan Coffey. “If they (camogie) want to compete with other sports in the country, it’s or Gemma O’Connor, the most to bring that onto the training pitch. going to have to be televised, there’s Fnoticeable change during the Everything has a reason now. It’s no bones about it. I think the sport course of her career has been on the definitely for the better.” deserves the coverage.” training pitch. The increasing demands at training For now there are more pressing Camogie, like all sports, has become are an obvious difference since she matters. Another championship as much about science as skill. first started playing. It is not the only looms and Cork have another All- Progress is not always linear but there change. Cork, maybe more than any Ireland to defend but beyond that lies is a logic to what happens behind the other team, have transfomed the way uncertainty. scenes. the game is played. “I’m happy enough being involved “There is a lot more training now, “The days of just going out and again this year, I don’t know what you have four nights a week and gym playing and marking your opponent the future will hold after this year,” programmes on top of that. People are are gone,” says O’Connor. “Everything she says. “I’d like to think that I’d be more aware of what they’re doing now. has a strategy and a plan. I enjoy that involved in coaching in the future. It has changed for the better. It’s a lot side of it. It probably suits the older Maybe I’ll test the waters at club level more intense now than it was 10 years players as well!” first.” ago,” says O’Connor, who has been at Self-deprecation aside, the tactical If there is an ominous tone in her the coalface for 15 seasons. side of the game is something that voice, it would be easy to understand. “Training and physical fitness has genuinely intrigues. However it’s hard to imagine evolved. Sport now is more science “It’s become like a game of chess in O’Connor without a hurley in her based than anything and we’re trying a lot of ways, what move do you make hand.

Spring/Summer 2016 • ON THE BALL • 13 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

XXX

This year’s Caman to Croker takes place on Monday, 8 August

taking part in the programme. On this draw to go to Croke Park. Also any club day both parents/guardians and their that runs a Hurl Smart Week this year Athenry Hurl with Me 2015 daughters will take part in a fun day of will also be put in the draw to attend blitzes/games. the Camán to Croker event. HURL SMART WEEK: 6-12 JUNE PROVINCIAL BLITZ DAYS U14 NATIONAL BLITZ DATE Hurl Smart Week aims to increase Under-12 blitz days for clubs will be Last year more than 1,200 girls activity levels at all ages in the run in each province again this year. participated in the national under-14 community by providing a programme Last year these events took place in Blitz Competition in Dublin. 51 teams of events in the local Camogie club for , Galway (24 clubs), from 29 counties took part in the the week. Clubs will be able to register Newry, Down (35 clubs), O’Connor competition across five divisions. to take part in Hurl Smart Week this Park, Tullamore (43 clubs) and Semple The date for this year’s event is the year and will be put into a draw for a Stadium, Tipperary (48 clubs) with Saturday, 10 September. chance to take part in the Camán to 150 clubs from 27 counties taking part Croker day on 8 August. over the four locations. 3,750 girls took U15 NATIONAL BLITZ DATES part in this initiative in total. Provincial HURL WITH ME PROGRAMME Last year, two phases of the under-15 days will be run again this year before Blitz took place with 20 counties and NATIONAL DAY: SATURDAY 25 JUNE Camán to Croker Day (8 August) with 23 teams taking part in the event in This programme is for girls in your draw to decide who participates. total. The dates for Phase 1 Counties club aged 7-10 and their parents/ this year is Saturday, 13 August. guardians. The programme will be CAMÁN TO CROKER: 8 AUGUST for six weeks and held in 24 clubs Last year 64 under-12 club teams took For more information on any around the country. A tutor will coach part in this one day event in Croke of the development projects the basic skills of Camogie to the Park sponsored by Torpey Hurleys. The listed above contact: parents/guardians and girls aged 7-10. date for this year’s event is Monday, Caroline Murray, Project & Initiatives Co- A national participation day will be 8 August. Teams who apply to attend Ordinator with the Camogie Association held on 25 June in Dublin for all clubs their provincial dates will be put in a [email protected]

14 • ON THE BALL • Spring/Summer 2016 GREAT SHOTS THE AGONY & THE ECSTASY

Sport can be an emotional rollercoaster and when the stakes are high, the emotions come flooding to the surface. It is said that sports do not build character but reveal it. And when the final whistle goes we are left exposed, overwhelmed by the agony of defeat or overjoyed by the ecstasy of victory. At this year’s inter-varsity finals on 14 February in Gort, Co Galway INPHO photographer Donall Farmer captured the moment of victory for Jacinta Crowley (above) as she celebrated CIT’s success in the Purcell Cup Final. For the players of Loughgiel Shamrocks, there were very different emotions at the end of their AIB All-Ireland Senior Camogie Club Championship Semi-Final against Killimor at St. Tiarnach’s Park, Clones on 31 January. Once more INPHO photographer Donall Farmer captured the moment with this evocative image (below) of the Loughgiel players.

Spring/Summer 2016 • ON THE BALL • 15