The Down camogie team ended an 11-year wait for national honours recently when they claimed the National League Division 3 title, and delighted to be associated with their success was team sponsor Tinnelly Demolition. Down will go into this year's Ulster senior camogie championship on a real high after their thrilling 0-15 to 2-8 victory over Laois in the National League Division 3 final at Ashbourne, Co. Meath on Easter Sunday last. The final whistle bore witness to joyous scenes as the Down camogs celebrated their first major success at adult level in 11 years. Their victory certainly augurs well for the championship which gets underway for the Mourne County in a few weeks' time against Derry. The Tinnelly family had plenty of reasons to be cheerful as not only does the family business Tinnelly Demolition sponsor the Down team, but mother-and-daughter Lillian and Karen were directly involved in selecting and playing capacities. "It was a big day in our house," explains Damien Tinnelly, who is a director of Tinnelly Demolition. "My wife Lillian was a selector and my daughter Karen lined out at left half back. It was a great win for the team and fully deserved because they had put in a huge effort since last December. Hopefully, this is just the start of it and they will have more success to look forward to in the championship." Tinnelly Demolition first sponsored Down in 2006 when they won the All-Ireland minor 'B' title with Karen playing and Lillian in the role of joint-manager along with Kitty Fagen. Karen was named Player of the Match for her performance in the final against Antrim, and was subsequently nominated for an All-Star award. "They were looking for a sponsor at the time and we were delighted to help out," Damien recalls. "And we couldn't have asked for a better start to our sponsorship as the minors won the All-Ireland that year. We got a huge amount of publicity from it and have been on board ever since. It's a real family affair you could say." Damien and Lillian's other daughter Ciara is a member of the Down under 16 camogie squad, while their son Ciaran lines out for the Ballyholland under 12 football team. Lillian, who joins manager Joe Baldwin and Ray Cunningham on the management team, was delighted to see so many of her 2006 proteges involved in this year's league triumph. "It's great that so many of the girls have made it this far and are continuing their camogie careers at such a high level. Joe Baldwin, who has done brilliant work with this team, introduced a good few of them this year and they blended superbly with the older players on the team. We had the perfect mix of youth and experience in my opinion," she says. "This success was a big breakthrough for Down camogie and gives us a lot of confidence going forward. Two years ago, many of the girls were on the losing side when Waterford beat us by 1-18 to 2-13 in the National League final, so this day had been coming for quite a while. "They proved themselves when the pressure came on, and I'm thrilled for all of them who worked so hard over the past few months." Down's only defeat in the divisional campaign was to Laois, but they made amends in the final after the O'Moore County had beaten Offaly in a play-off to qualify. Conditions in Ashbourne were perfect for camogie, and Down drew first blood when Catherine McGourty slotted over a '45. Down were on the attack again when Lisa McCrickard's shot hit the crossbar, and a relieved Elaine Mahony was on hand to clear the danger for Laois. The O'Moore County took the lead in the ninth minute when Sarah Cuddy rifled to the net. Down were soon level, though, thanks to two frees from McGourty before Sarah Louise Carr - daughter of Down football manager Ross Carr - restored their lead. Louise Mahony replied for the midlanders, only for McGourty to find the target again and give the Mourne girls a 0-7 to 1-1 lead at the break. Pre-match favourites Laois improved in the second half, though points from Sarah Louise Carr and McGourty kept Down ahead. Joe Baldwin's side were five points to the good when Sarah Ann Fitzgerald pounced for Laois' second goal, and Aine Mahony immediately followed up with a point to leave the minimum between the sides with less than 10 minutes remaining. But two further frees from McGourty eased Down nerves, and despite conceding the last two points of the game, they held on for a dramatic 0-15 to 2-8 victory. Based in Newry, Tinnelly Demolition is a division of John Tinnelly & Sons which is celebrating 50 years in business. John Tinnelly & Sons, which also incorporates Tinnelly Recycling and Tinnelly Environmental, was founded by John Tinnelly and is now run by his son Patsy. Patsy's seven children - Damien, Dessie, Martin, Patrick, Gareth, Roisin Franklin and Joanne Campbell - are all group directors. Tinnelly Demolition specialises in demolition and dismantling, asbestos removal, facade retention, metal recycling and architectural salvage. Tinnelly's extensive experience includes major site clearance, the safe removal of asbestos and other dangerous substances, dealing with emergency fire and bomb damage and even ship demolition, and façade retention of preserved and listed buildings. The company carries out contracts throughout Ireland and the UK, with a client list of Blue Chip companies including Guinness/Diageo, Irish Cement PLC, John Sisk & Sons and Treasury Holdings. In conclusion, Damien says: "On behalf of Tinnelly Demolition, I would like to congratulate Down on their National League success and wish them all the best in their forthcoming Ulster championship match against Derry." The Down camogie team which captured the National League Division 3 title was: Marian McAleenan; Laura Brennan, Fionnuala Carr, Grainne O'Higgins; Maria McNally, Lisa McCrickard, Karen Tinnelly; Karen McMullan, Ciara McGovern; Catherine McGourty, Nicola Braniff, Kelly O'Higgins; Orla McGinn, Sarah Louise Carr, Peggy Matthews. Subs used: Niamh Mulhern, Joanne Fitzpatrick and Emma McCormick. Tweet

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