Meath holds an historic and highly significant place in the history of the game of camogie, as the first ever match was played in Navan almost a century ago. That was in 1904 and 100 years later, in July, 2004, the centenary of the occasion is likely be marked with the unveiling of a plaque at Pairc Tailteann and the playing of a match. All in all, it should be a day to remember for camogie enthusiasts in the Royal County. The Camogie Association's Central Council have been in talks with Meath Camogie Board regarding the marking of the centenary of an event which clearly aroused considerable interest the best part of a century ago. An article from the Camogie Association's official guide describing the happenings back in 1904 certainly makes interesting reading. It states that the history of the foundation of the game of Camoguidheacht dates back to the year 1904. During that year the Keating branch of the Gaelic League, Dublin, was foremost in the Irish-Ireland movement and, along with popularising the national language, did much in favour of national athletics. At that period the branch held regular meetings and the first Camoguidheacht practice was held in the Phoenix Park on July 13th, 1904. This was a preliminary to the first game which was played at Navan at an Aeridheacht on the 18th of that month. The Aeridheacht was held under the auspices of the Navan branch of the Gaelic League and there were two thousand spectators present. Such an attendance in that era surely demonstrates the level of interest the match generated among the public. "A Camoguidheacht match was played, which is regarded as a novelty, and may be remarked as the first inter-club contest ever played in Ireland," a press report of the historic game stated. "Both teams were composed of cailini and belong to Dublin and the game, which aroused considerable interest, resembles hurling, the ground being marked out something like an ordinary football field. The camog, or hurling stick, however, being much lighter and less dangerous than the ordinary camans." Later practices of the Keating team took place at the Phoenix Park grounds and on 8th October, 1904, another game was played at the Thatch, Drumcondra, and was one of the features of the Oireachtas of that year. "An attractive feature of the day was the match for the girls in the new game of Camoguidheacht - a game first played a few Sundays ago in a town not too distant from Dublin, and yesterday's match was the first played in Dublin," a report dealing with that particular game stated. "A numerous gathering of the delegates to the Oireachtas from the country districts had remained over to witness the match and the hope is expressed that, as a result of what they saw yesterday at Drumcondra, they will endeavour to introduce the game into their native districts. "A further game was played at the same ground during the course of a Seilig. The attendance numbered two thousand. The game was immensely enjoyed by the spectators." It's only right that Meath should mark the centenary of 1904 in a fitting way, as the county undoubtedly holds a highly significant place in the history of the game of camogie. Unfortunately, the Royal County didn't enjoy a particularly successful 2003 on the inter-county scene and they will hope for better fortunes in 2004. They didn't field a team in the Leinster Junior Championship for a combination of reasons, which was disappointing, while the under-14 and minor teams both bowed out of the provincial championships against Kildare. However, the camogie followers of Kilmessan certainly had a year to remember with satisfaction and considerable pride as they dominated the club scene in the county, highlighted by their third successive triumph in the Senior Championship. They defeated Killyon by 3-7 to 1-5 in the final at Dunsany in early August on an evening when Ann Marie Dennehy turned in an outstanding performance for the winners at centre half-back. Kilmessan had eight points to spare at the final whistle and there was no doubting that they deserved their success, but it was only in the last five minutes of an exciting encounter that they managed to put the issue beyond doubt. Aileen Donnelly top-scored for Kilmessan with 2-1 and Colette Rowan also found the net for the winners who held a 2-3 to 0-3 advantage at half-time. Substitute Fionnuala Clarke, who enjoyed success at intermediate level in Monaghan, scored the Killyon goal and it revived their hopes early in the second-half. But Kilmessan eventually pushed clear again to claim their first Senior Championship treble. Kilmessan went on to enjoy a very good run in the Leinster Junior Club Championship ( a competition previously won by Killyon in 1996) and reached the final where they were edged out by just two points against Offaly and reigning provincial champions Drumcullen at Rath, Co. Offaly. It was the first year for an All-Ireland series to be played in that particular competition, so it was a pity Kilmessan didn't get the opportunity to play on the bigger stage. However, advancing so far represented a fine achievement and suggests that Kilmessan will be very difficult to stop as they go for a fourth successive county senior title in 2004. Indeed, Kilmessan's future as a camogie force in the Royal County looks assured if their tremendous run of success at under-age level in the season gone by is anything to go by, as they added the under-12, under-14 and under-16 (minor) titles to their senior triumph. The only championship they failed to win was the junior as they lost the final to Donaghmore-Ashbourne. The fact that they contested every championship final in 2003 demonstrates what a remarkable year they enjoyed and the strength of the camogie talent at all levels in the club. Kilmessan's first under-age triumph of the year came in early July when they defeated neighbours Kiltale by 1-1 to 1-0 in a low-scoring under-12 final at Kiltale to lift the title for the third successive year. Sarah Weldon put Kiltale ahead with a first-half goal, but this was cancelled out by Sarah Clarke's strike for Kilmessan which had the sides level at the interval. Julie-Ann Stephens proved to be Kilmessan's heroine as her point two minutes from the end earned them the title. Kilmessan added the under-14 title the following weekend to also take that particular crown for the third successive year. This time it proved to be a runaway final victory over Ratoath at Dunsany as they won by 6-2 to 0-0. Katie Ni Choileain starred for Kilmessan and won the 'player of the match' award. The hat-trick of under-age championships was completed in September when Kilmessan defeated Kiltale by 5-4 to 1-2 in the under-16 final at Kiltale. Ni Choileain helped herself to two goals and Stephanie Horan, Ciara Lynch and Tracey King also found the net for the winners. LONG WAIT A very interesting occasion on the Meath camogie front in 2003 was the presentation of a Junior Championship medal to former Moynalty player Della Munnelly by Camogie Board chairperson Brigid Carney at a special presentation organised by the board in Trim in October. Nothing terribly unusual about that, you might think. However, the fact that Della had won the medal way back in 1936 gives an indication of the significance of the presentation. Sixty-seven years is certainly a long time to wait, but it was undoubtedly worth it. Della was a member of the Moynalty team which defeated Dunboyne in a junior final at Pairc Tailteann in the autumn of '36 and her sister Molly captained the victorious side. It's likely that the camogie authorities simply couldn't afford to purchase medals in those days when money was scarce, though Della did receive a medal in '37 when she was a member of the North Meath team which defeated South Meath in a match which was played as part of the Feis na Midhe. As the 1930s and '40s were years of economic hardship, many young Irish women emigrated. Della Reilly, as she was then, went to England to work as a nurse. She eventually came back to Ireland, married Tom Munnelly and they settled in Gibbstown where they brought up a family of seven children. It was Della's son Tom, following up on some of his mother's memories, including those of playing in the junior final in '36, who contacted the Camogie Board and they felt they should present her with a medal. Della may have received it all of 67 years after the final, but what a precious possession it must be and what great memories of far off days it must bring back. Tweet

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