Camogie club in Offaly hosts Lads and Ladies challenge

THE Lads and Ladies Hurling Camogie Challenge match took place under lights in O'Brien Park last Saturday to celebrate 120 years of the Camogie Association. This is the second year of the event and marks a year since the passing of Alo Lawlor and Jim Larkin, two revered past members of Tullamore GAA. Playing on the night were members of both the Lawlor and Larkin families. Tullamore Camogie Club fielded U16players, senior club players and a few social camogie players from the Camán ‘n’ Chat group. Donations on night were for Friends of Tullamore Hospital. A total of €1,100 has been raised to date.

To ensure fair game play for all on the night the first task was choosing the teams. The Lads played in White and the Ladies team played in Blue. With the men out numbering the women on the night there were a few who volunteered to play with the Tullamore Camogie girls. Two referees oversaw the match Seán Aherne and Miriam O Callaghan. With devil’s fork in hand Miriam had no hassle signalling an infraction on the pitch.

For the women Stephen Lawlor manned the gaols with Edmond Finnerty in goals for the Lads. Reacting with speed and accuracy to the opposition’s challenges Stephen kept the opposition from scoring on many an occasion. Similarly, Edmond Finnerty met every challenge but couldn’t defend the points that the women sent high over the crossbar.

The Woman of the match award was presented to Jennifer Rigney who played a mighty game. Quick to pick up the ball, turn to out manoeuvre the opposition marking her Jennifer got the ball away up the field with great determination and accuracy. One of Tullamore Camogie Club’s U16 players she was also joined on the pitch by fellow U16 teammates, Ella Cantwell, Katie McDermott and Katie Fogarty.

Man of the match on the night was awarded to Adrian Mordan. In the last minutes of the game Adrian took to a solo run making his way towards Stephen Lawlor. As he drew near, he took a shot at goals. Much to Adrian’s disappointment but to the relief of Goalkeeper Stephen and the defenders on the Ladies team the sliotar hit the crossbar and bounced wide. Another day another time and it could have been a sweet goal at the end of a match.

There was plenty of action at midfield. Alan Martin, a Tullamore U12 Camogie Coach, was taken down in a rugby style tackle by Lisa Gorman and Clare Cantwell. Dermot Cunningham, Tullamore U16 Camogie Coach, showed great style with his knee-high stripy socks. Tullamore’s retired senior goalie Damien Fox, returned to the pitch for the night and played in the forwards. In the second half Emer Keegan came on to play. Her old form was back, driving the sliotar forward and putting pressure on goals, breaking her hurl in the process. The U12 Tullamore Coaches of Louise and Keiran Kelly (who also coaches U11 Tullamore boys) were very competitive in marking one another.

This year it was a win for the Ladies bringing the tally to 1 win each for Lads and Ladies. It is unclear how many players were playing on the pitch towards the end of the match. It probably exceeded an All-Ireland quota. There were smiles all round for the group photos at the end of the match. It was a night with great camogie and hurling skills on show. As the floodlights were turned off and darkness settled over O Brien Park the players retired to tell tall tales. A big thanks to everyone who participated this year. Another match in 2025 perhaps? Let’s hope so!

Finally, Tullamore Camogie Club will contest the Minor A Shield final on Sunday 10^th November in Dr. Kelly’s Field, Tullamore at 2pm against Birr. All support welcome to cheer on the girls.