Camogie club review

November 30, 2009
2009 has been another progressive year for many camogie clubs in Meath. On the playing fields most clubs have been enjoying success at different grades and all players and mentors must be congratulated for their terrific work and commitment. By Mary Burke

A huge effort was put into developing and prompting the underage section of club Camogie, there is a competition at almost each every age group from 8 yrs up to Senior. Since the start of the summer months, girls varying in ages from 5-8 years have been taking part in Under 8 blitzes which were held once a month, they girls get to practice their skills and have some fun. Summer camps were also organised for any girls interested in playing Camogie, they were held in Trim, Kilmessan & Donaghmore/Ashbourne and all proved hugely enjoyable and entertaining for all they girls that took part.
Our adult competitions produced some impressive performance in the senior, Intermediate & Junior Championships. Na Fianna won their first Junior Championship title as did Kiltale when Debra Wigglesworth collected the Intermediate Cup on behalf of her team & mentors. Kilmessan travelled home on a high after winning the Senior Camogie Crown, John Watters team accepted the Fag & O'Regan Senior championship cup from Meath Camogie Chairperson Valerie Curtis, after losing their crown last year to Blackhall Gaels, Kilmessan's task I am sure was straight forward, nothing less than a win was going to be good enough as they wanted to add to their success of recent years. Their opponents Trim were left to ponder over their final performance and some players will wonder what they will have to do, to win that exclusive Senior Championship Title. Both teams meet earlier in the year in the Senior League Final and on this outing is was Trim who set the pace for the majority of the game, Kilmessan had to push to the limit in the last quarter to edge ahead and win the title.
Donaghmore/Ashbourne club will be happy with their achievements in 2009, the Intermediate Championship was always going to be their target having pick up the Junior League Title in the beginning of the year against a gallant Dunderry team, Donaghmore/Ashbourne wanted to make a good account of themselves having reached the Intermediate final, their opponents Kiltale on the other hand playing in their third Intermediate Final in a row, and with a good team and experience behind them they believed that it was all about what happens on the day, with the heartbreak of losing the last two titles, they used this as their driving force and clinched a win over Donaghmore/Ashbourne who were beaten by a more determined team.
Almost neighbouring clubs and old rivals Na Fianna & Boardsmill painted the picture for the Junior Championship this year, with some clubs opting out of this competition mid season it left the remaining clubs with more time to improve and build on training and challenge games, although championship games is what every clubs wants, the remaining clubs to their credit kept the Junior Title as their goal and never wavered from that. Dunderry defeated Na Fianna in last year's decider and maybe that was a good thing as it gave Na Fianna more of a focus this year, Boardsmill came through to the Junior final and their preparations were as good as you could want, but they meet a more composed Na Fianna Team who had some fine performances and their more physical presents won out on the day.
For all clubs participating at under age , there were so many exciting and most enjoyable games from the under 10's right up to the Under 18 championship final, it is what every club wants to see, more girls playing and enjoying the game of camogie. To see Under 10's giving it everything to try and get that goal, the pass that they might make or the shot missed. Relatively new clubs Kildalkey & Drumree had wins this year which was great to see. More established clubs Dunboyne, Donahgmore/Ashbourne, Dunderry & Ratoath also had achievements at underage. All clubs want to progress and with all the hard work and commitment that is put in by so many individuals within our Camogie clubs, and with the increase of our competitions at underage the future looks bright for camogie in Meath.

Table below of all championship & League Winners & Runners up this year.
The under 21 is at the Final will be between Blackhall Gaels & Dunboyne
Competitions Winners Runners up
Senior League Kilmessan Trim
Junior League Donaghmore/Ashbourne Dunderry
Senior Championship Kilmessan Trim
Intermediate Championship Kiltale Donaghmore/Ashbourne
Junior Championship Na Fianna Boardsmill
Under 21 Final not played yet
Under 18 Kilmessan Dunboyne
Under 16 Ratoath Kilmessan
Under 15 League Ratoath Kiltale
Under 14 A Dunboyne Kiltale
Under 14 B Ratoath Donaghmore/Ashbourne
Under 14 C Drumree Killyon
Under 13 League Dunboyne Dunderry
Under 12 A Ratoath Boardsmill
Under 12 B Dunderry Na Fianna
Under 12 C Kildalkey Ratoath B
Under 11 League Ratoath Boardsmill
Under 10 A Ratoath Kildalkey
Under 10 B Drumree Dunboyne
Under 10 C Donaghmore/Ashbourne Killyon

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