Kildare Camogie Board Clogherinkoe/Broadford GAA 20th September 2008 Senior Camogie Championship Final St. Laurence's v Celbridge 1.00 p.m Reiteoir: Alan Lagrue (Naas) Intermediate Championship Final Cappagh v Sarsfields 4.00 p.m. Reiteoir: Ciaran Quigley (Celbridge) See below for preview St. Laurence's will seek to defend their senior camogie championship title against League champions Celbridge at 1.00 p.m. on Saturday next, 20th September 2008, in Broadford/Clogherinkoe GAA grounds at Balrennet, Carbury. Both teams reached the final after the most competitive championship in several years. A total of 20 games, including a playoff, were played in a round robin format. Five teams, Johnstownbridge, Celbridge, Clane, St. Laurence's and a combination team of Cappagh/Naas started out on the championship trail in July. Newcomers Clane showed the emerging strength of camogie in the county by reaching the semi-final in their debut year at senior level. However, the old order of St. Laurence's and Celbridge survives until the bragging rights are decided next week. This final pairing will intrigue camogie followers in the county. An exciting, tough and competitive game is in prospect because the rivalry between these teams bubbles away from match to match. They have already met three times this year. St. Laurence's emerged victorious on two occasions - once in the league and once in the championship. However, Celbridge are the ones with silverware in 2008 when they just edged the Senior League title for the second consecutive year. St. Laurence's though have had the more impressive path to the final, coming through unbeaten. Early in the championship, Celbridge lost to Clane and were then forced into a playoff against them to reach the final. These sides know each other very well and many of the players will have faced each other over the years at various underage levels as well as playing alongside each other when representing Kildare. Celbridge will be hoping for big performances from Deirdre Corcoran and Niamh Concannon in defence, with the former coming off the back of an All Ireland Junior Final appearance for her native Clare last Sunday in Croke Park. Aisling Maher, Hannah McDonnell and Mary Murtagh offer pace, mobility and good ball delivery into the forwards and in particular to sharpshooter Susie O'Carroll. Celbridge will also hope that dual player Angela Lyons will be fully fit after injury and that younger players such as Sinead Halstead, Triona Byrne and others will keep up their consistent form. St. Laurence's have a depth of experience unlike any other club in the county. The Treacy trio of Melanie, Reiltin and Ruth continue to give exceptional loyalty to the club jersey and consistently play a competitively high standard of camogie. Melanie, in particular, has given sterling performances this year for both club and county and must be amongst the leading contenders for player of the year. Niamh Breen and Lorraine Bowes are other Laurence's players who have been very consistent performers all season with Breen blossoming as a tight marking defender who makes few mistakes. Around the middle of the field Ciara Tallon can be relied to rise to the occasion while Carol Nolan is starting to show glimpses of her best form. Add in Paula Keatley's know-how in defence and Louise Keatley's pace and vision in attack for the Larries and it emerges that the stage is truly set for a showdown worthy of any county final. Naas' Alan Lagrue will control the whistle and, in the event of a draw, extra time will be required as the winners go forward the following week to face Westmeath champions Raharney in the quarter final of the Leinster Club Championship. The hosting of the final in Clogherinkoe/Broadford GAA is a special occasion for the Broadford parish, camogie club and the Conway family. Sean and Annie Conway were both stalwarts of Broadford camogie while Sean was both a county selector with Kildare and a referee. Both passed away in recent years and the Broadford Camogie Club, in their memory, are presenting a new Perpetual Cup for the Senior Camogie Championship. The Cup will be awarded for the first time next Saturday to the county champions. A special presentation will also be made to each player of the winning team, along with the Player of the Match Award. The Senior Championship final will be followed by the Intermediate Championship final when Sarsfields and Cappagh challenge each other for county honours. Through the day a series of under age mini games will also be played involving underage players from Broadford, Johnstownbridge, Cappagh and Kilcock. Action starts at 1.00 p.m. with the day's showpiece between St. Laurence's and Celbridge. Camogie Development Initiative for Kildare Secondary Schools Cumann Camógaíochta na nGael is delighted to introduce the Green CARD referee course to 2nd level colleges in Co. Kildare. The Green CARD (Colleges Applied Referee Development) course introduces Transition Year students to the different elements involved in becoming a competent and dedicated referee. The course consists of a one-day theory course, followed up by a practical session and assessment. On completion, qualified Green Carders will be given the opportunity to referee during a Kildare Schools Blitz. These newly qualified referees will hugely benefit their clubs and schools and will hopefully become the new generation of Camogie referees. All schools are invited to bring teams of 1st and 2nd year students to a CPD (County Participation Day). These Camogie players will receive an intensive coaching session followed by a blitz. Information and Application forms for the course have been distributed to all 2nd level schools in Kildare. Male and female Transition year students are invited to apply. Venue Date Time Green CARD Course Naas GAA Thurs. Sept. 18th 10am - 3pm Green CARD Practical and Assessment Naas GAA Wed. Sept 25th 10am - 1.30pm Kildare County Participation Day Naas GAA Tues. Sept. 30th 10am - 2pm For further information contact Camogie Post -Primary Development Co-Ordinator Jennifer Steede 0876436579 [email protected] Tweet

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