It was a fantastic year for camogie in the county as the Leinster Minor B title was won, while celebrations of the Camogie Centenary centred on Pairc Tailteann. One hundred years down the road our Meath Minor B Team captured their first ever Leinster Minor Camogie Championship title with an emphatic victory over Carlow, on a scoreline of Meath 4-7 Carlow 1-3. The team put in a tremendous performance against Carlow on a sun drenched day in Batterstown on Saturday the 22nd May 2004. The duo of Jane Dolan and Debra Wigglesworth contributed enormously to the success of the team both delivered powerful displays, while Emily Mangan up front always threatened the Carlow defence. Meath went in at half time with a four point lead. Carlow 1-1 Meath 2-3. Substitute Katie Hackett for Meath made an instant impact when she found the net with almost her first touch after the resumption. That goal deflated the Carlow girls, although the pace never slackened Carlow threatened but failed to make any impact against an uncompromising defence in which Linda Delaney, Louise Donoghue, Denise Fitzsimons and Kelly Matthews were to the fore. Meath came out worthy winners of their first ever Leinster Minor Title. Meath Minor Team: Niamh Brady, Blackhall Gaels; Sarah Heary, Navan O'Mahonys; Denise Fitzsimons, Killyon; Aine Sheridan (Capt.), Kilmessan; Kelly Mathews, Kilmessan; Louise Donaghue, Kiltale; Linda Delaney, Blackhall Gaels; Jane Dolan (Vice Captain) 0-2, Blackhall Gaels; Katie Ni Choilean, Kilmessan; Ciara Ashe, Trim; Debra Wigglesworth, Kiltale 2-4; Mariead Finn, Donaghmore/Ashbourne; Katie Hacket, Trim 1-0; Emily Managan, Blackhall Gaels 1-1; Sarah Doheny, Navan O'Mahonys; Yvonne Maguire, Kilmessan; Elanna Madden, Kiltale; Nora Benville, Donaghmore/Ashbourne; Holly Gereaghty, Blackhall Gaels; Julie Anne Stevens, Kilmessan; Fiona Madden, Kiltale; Sarah Clarke, Kilmessan; Anita Corrigan, Killyon; Sinead Hughes, Blackhall Gaels; Orla Doyle, Kilmessan; Sarah Jane Brady, Blackhall Gaels; Roisin Williams, Donaghmore/Ashbourne; Ciara Lynch, Kilmessan. It was also fitting that the Camogie Association celebrated one of the major centenary events of the year at Pairc Tailteann, Navan, when on the 17th July 2004 to the date, Meath intercounty players past & present re-enacted the first ever public game of Camogie played back in 1904, at Pairc Tailteann, which was then more commonly known then as the Meath Agricultural Show Grounds. The Meath Players doned the long black skirts and white blouses to rekindle that game of 100 years ago. A plaque was unveiled by Uachtarian of Cumman Camogaiochta na Gael Miriam O'Callaghan and Minister for Education Mr. Noel Dempsey. As well as the Commemorative game one hundred children, dressed in the Meath colours, came onto the field and formed the figure of 100 to the tune of Congratulations. This took place after the All Ireland Minor B semi-final between Meath and Antrim, unfortunately this was the end of the road for our Meath minors as the went down to Antrim 4-7 to 1-5. An exhibition game at half-time of the Minor B Semi Final also took place played by a selection of Under 14 girls for all clubs in Meath. To finish the days celebrations the Foras na Gaeilge Senior championship match between Antrim and Galway closed the days festivities on which was a very enjoyable and memorable day for camogie in Meath. Our Senior County Final for the first time ever was played at Pairc Tailteann, a location was appropriate for Centenary Year. Kilmessan, who were bidding for there fourth title in a row, shaped up to Killyon, who were aiming to end a seven year drought. Killyon, who have never won a title since the 15 a-side game was introduced on the full length pitch, were looking to make amends on last years defeat. Both teams served up a sizzler, overall this was an exiting decider as goals proved crucial on the day, Killyon won with only a point to spare. Final Score Killyon 2-4 Kilmessan 0-9. The Clubs of Meath and Dublin joined forces in bringing a torch from Pairc Tailteann, to Croke Park on the 18th & 19th September 2004. As Navan was the Venue for the first ever official game of camogie the torch was relit there on the 18th September 2004 and the Clubs from Meath carried it to Kepak, Clonee, then handed it over to the clubs of Dublin, the Dublin clubs completed the run on All Ireland Camogie Final Day before handing it over to Stephanie Gannon, Galway, winner of the Women's Poc Fada competition who finished the run onto Croke Park. The scene in Croke Park on the All Ireland Camogie Final day when over 2,500 Children from under age Camogie Clubs and Primary Schools from all over the County created a human formation of C 100 to symbolise 100 years of Camogie, was just magnificent. Meath were delighted to have girls from all our under age Clubs participating and the truly enjoyed the day. While this was taking part Aine Sheridan, Captain of the Meath Minor B Team, along with the three other captains of the provincial Championship winners held the Camogie Centenary Logo Flag aloft out on Croke Park. When going to press the Meath County Board were organising a Dinner Dance to honour its Meath Minor Team and also make a special Presentation to the Meath Junior side from 1965 who won the Leinster Championship The team was as follows.: Mary Gannon, Pauline O'Reilly RIP, Sheila McEnroe, Jane Gorman, Dolores Donoghue, Louise O'Sullivan, Bridget Donnelly, Nora O'Donnell, Mary Morris, Marie Martin, Betty Brady, Mary Mulvey, Noleen Campbell, Margaret Shields, Mary Quinn, Kathleen Smyth, Maeve Shields RIP, Anne Mooney, Nora Duffy, D Cribbin, Marie Fulham, Marie Morgan. Meath Camogie Championship Winners 2004 U12 - Ratoath., U14 - Kilmessan, U16 - Kiltale, U 14 Shield - Killyon, U10 Blitz - Kiltale Junior: Navan O'Mahonys, Senior :Killyon The Meath County Board is currently undergoing, in conjunction with the Meath Local Sports Partnership, a strategic plan to develop Camogie in Meath and their long term goal is to increase and maintain numbers participating in the game in this county. For anyone interested in playing or joining a camogie club here is a list of the Camogie Clubs currently in Meath: Trim, Boardsmill, Killyon, Dunderry, Kiltale, Kilmessan, Navan O'Mahonys, Donaghmore /Ashbourne, Ratoath, Blackhall Gaels and Dunboyne. Tweet

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