Shinty/Camogie comes to Wicklow!
April 07, 2015
On Easter Sunday an altogether new sight awaited the many fans who made their way to the GAA Centre of Excellence in Ballinakill.
The Scottish cousin of camogie/hurling in the form of the longer and skinnier but teak hard stick with a history similar to our own and based mainly in the Scottish Highlands made its way to Wicklow.
A selection of Wicklow's Minor and U16 County Camogie squads took on the visitors from Aberdour Shinty Club in a challenge match.
The holiday week-end facilitated the visit but also accounted for many of the Wicklow players being unavailable. The Shinty team play 12 a side so with a squad of 20 present Wicklow rolled players on and off.
After a quick run through the Compromise Rules with Referee Con O Ceadaigh both teams took to the field behind the Scotland and Wicklow flags to the cheers of the fans.
The Wicklow girls were quick to adapt to their new rules, with no catching or kicking of the ball. This served to bring out some untapped stickwork that the WW girls didn't know they possessed! After pre match warnings to get in close for the tackle they most certainly heeded that advice! It was a well fought game from both teams.
The Scottish girls had the upperhand on the scoreboard however. With 5 Scottish Internationals on board-they knew how to find their way to the net! Katie Booth, Kirsty Deans, Katie Drain, Vicki Henderson & Niamh Donnelly (ex Wicklow camogie playe) have all played for the Scottish National side and play their Club Shinty in the Scottish National First Division...
The highlight of the game had to be the final 10 mins when both sides swapped sticks.
The Wicklow girls showed some excellent shinty skills especially ariel stops. Ailbhe Dowling took a 'shie' (shinty sideline) where the ball is thrown up over your head and you strike overhead with the flat back of the bas. This is a difficult skill but no bother to Ailbhe!
The Scots missed the top 12 inches of the sticks as they were now playing with hurls but the Wicklow girls who adapted faster had a brilliant 10 mins. With the crowd cheering them on the pressure built. Niamh McCormack in defence and Erynn O Brien in attack showed great aptitude with the new stick as did Laura O'Keeffe & Leanne Hannon. The excitement built as the WW girls got to grips with the shinty sticks and in the final minute they were awarded a penalty after the Scots goalie fouled the ball. The shot taken by Megan Kennedy forced the keeper over the line and Wicklow finally made the score sheet. An appreciative cheer and a warm round of applause greeted both teams as the final whistle blew.
Final score Aberdour 4-1 Wicklow 1-0.
- a great morning's entertainment for all present.
Wicklow panel on shinty duty: Ailbhe Dowling, Marie Lawless, Lillie May Cullen Dunne, Aoife O'Brien, Katie Daynes, Laura O'Keeffe, Sinead Roche, Ava Condon, Leanne Hannon, Megan Kennedy, Sheenagh Byrne, Lyn Fenton, Niamh McCormack, Erynn O'Brien, Mary Kate Condren, Lauren Burke, Aoibheann O'Neill, Jessica Driver, Tanya Carter, Anneliese Dunne and Ellen Doyle.
