July 24th ‘12
Championship Fever hits the headlines once again when Clontibret and Castleblayney meet in the first round of the Royal Jade Senior Championship on Tuesday evening. With just three teams namely Inniskeen, Clontibret and Castleblayney contesting the Championship, it will run on a round robin series.
These two teams met in the League just over a week ago and on that occasion Castleblayney had the upper hand winning on a score line of 4 – 7 to 0 – 9. But Clontibret who will be aiming for their 8thsuccessive title to equal Kilanny’s achievement when they were in their hayday, have been known to throw caution to the wind when it comes to championship.
In a nailbiting match which could have gone either way, the Castleblayney finished with a one point deficit to Clontibret in last years final on a scoreline of 3- 7 to 3 -6. So an exciting game is expected on Tuesday next in Drumhowan with a throw in for 7.30pm.
Fixtures for Royal Jade Championship
Tuesday 31st July Clontibret V Castleblayney Venue Drumhowan @ 7.30pm.
Sunday 5th August Castleblayney V Inniskeen Venue Killanny @2pm.
Sunday 19th August Inniskeen V Clontibret Venue Oram @2pm.
Sunday 24th August Final
Clontibret Camogie News
Senior training on Friday evening was livened up by the presence of a number of new faces all of whom were anxious to try out our great game. Ursula Treanor, Laura McGinn (sister of Michaela) and Mairead Tomany (sister of Catherine) proved very willing and capable pupils! But then rumour has it that Mrs Tomany has been giving grinds in the ´back field´ at Croghan now that the silage is cut and saved!!! There´s enterprising for you!
Of course no better woman than Nora, formerly Connolly of Whitecross, Co. Armagh, as her name and camogie exploits are still revered among camogie players in Coleraine where she was a student and former captain of the college camogie team- a carefully bestowed honour on any player in the year the college is hosting the Ashbourne Cup. Sadly a serious accident cruelly cut short her sports career otherwise she could have been lining out with Catherine for Clontibret! Supposedly now that this silage is got rid of, Michael ´mans´ the gate, Kevin referees, Sean takes bookings, Catherine acts as 2nd official and Mairead makes the tea!! Applications in writing only!
Speaking of referee, our seniors were forced to return home from Granemore without a match on Monday evening, in the Armagh League, as the match official failed to show up. A disappointing outcome indeed as the girls were relishing the prospect of a match. Training however continues as arranged with John.
And in another strange case of officialdom in action (or perhaps in action, but in reverse gear!) a text was received from the Louth Camogie Secretary, fresh from her holidays, requesting the outcome of the U-14 Camogie Final, which is long-awaited in and by Clontibret! Patience is definitely a virtue at times.
On Tuesday evening our U-14 team play Crossmaglen in Clontibret. Best wishes girls.
Tuesday also sees our seniors in action in the opening round of the´2012 Senior Championship, against Castleblayney, at 7.30pm (venue to be confirmed). The girls expect a very stiff challenge once again as ´Blayney will be bolstered by the return of Eileen McElroy and Regan Lynch. However our own panel will be at full strength with the exception of Karen (see below) and as the saying goes ´forewarned is forearmed!´
With one more match pending in the U-12 Armagh League on Monday July 30th, parents are asked to notify Marie of their child´s availability asap. Last week we had to concede to Cullyhanna as we could not muster the mandatory 11 players (Armagh bye-law) after they re-scheduled the match to 5pm.
Finally every good wish to yet another of our senior players, Karen Kieran, who went the way of so many of our panel this year, in picking up a fairly serious injury on Tuesday evening last. Karen broke her finger in a number of places and the only consolation was that, contrary to the initial opinion of the consultant, further X-rays ruled out having to ´wire´ her finger. Mind you this option is something we should look into for the few remaining players who have not picked up an injury so far! Hopefully Karen will continue to train with the panel as her good humour and hearty laugh is as good as a tonic some evenings. Welcome back to Helen Moen who has got the ´all-clear´ after she broke her thumb 2 months ago.
By michael Wed 25th Jul
