History

CUMANN CAMOGAIOCHTA MÍSEAL

MYSHALL CAMOGIE "BLUES"

A team started in Myshall in the early 30’s called Myshall Crusaders and members of this team were:

Maggie Murphy, Myshall; Kathleen Murphy, Myshall; May Murphy, Myshall; Bridget Murphy (Mrs. Dunne Myshall); Molly Fox, Shangarry; Katie Fox Shangarry; Kathy O’ Neill; Maggie O’ Neill Shangarry; Margaret Bennet, Ballaghmore; Mary and Annie McDonald Moneygrath; Julia Cleary Ballinacrea who played in goal, Agnes Keogh Coolasheegaun; Mai Keogh Aclare.

This team only lasted a short time and they joined the “Blues” or gave up playing altogether.

 
Myshall "Blues" Camogie team from times past
 

In 1933 Fr. Michael Kennedy P.P. helped start a team in Myshall called the Myshall Blues. This team trained in Mattie Nolan’s field in Cappawater. The girls wore blue gymslips and white blouses and like the Garryhill Rovers girls they made their uniforms themselves. There is a photograph of the Myshall Blues taken after a Feis in Carlow in 1935 and on that team were:

Bridie Brien, Knockbarragh, Tess Nolan, Ballaghmore, Marie Clowry (Mrs. Kelly Ballaghmore), Mary Fox (Molly Whelan), Katie Fox (her sister), Margaret Connors (Mrs. Ryder Knocklonogad), B. Kavanagh (Babby Nolan, Myshall), Lil Shaughnessy (Mrs. Clowry Ballaghmore), Nan Shaughnessy, (Mrs. Atkinson, Kilmyshall), Celia Clowry, Mrs. Jordan, Ballinshancarragh, Kildavin, Bridie Kavanagh, (Mrs. McLean), Mollie Nolan, (Mollie Browne Shean), Mary Nolan (M Torpe), Kathy Shaughnessy (Mrs. Hogan, Rathoe) and Maria O’Rourke, Knockbrack, (Mrs. Drea Athy)

Ger Nolan, Shean and John Nolan, Rosslee helped train and manage the Blues. Mary Foley nee Nolan who played during the 30’s was a player of note. Other teams participating around the area at that time were: Drumphea (records here are very scant), Skeogh, Kildavin, Carlow, Kilgreaney, Rathrush, Royal Oak, Leighlin, Ballon, Fighting Cocks. Some of the “Nationalist” reports from the time are very interesting: “A most interesting and exciting match was witnessed on Thursday at a tournament in Myshall, the contestants being Myshall Blues and Drumphea Independents. The game was fast and some brilliant play was displayed. It was evident from the beginning that Myshall Blues were the more stylish and accomplished team, excelling in teamwork, a factor lacking in their opponents, they being wholly unable to resist the Myshall defenders the latter team consequently deserving their good win of three gaols one point to nil”. The Myshall Blues are described as “sturdy cailini from the mountain village” who “possessed the real spirit of the Gael, a spirit which would readily accept defeat as they would victory”. The matches were played at “fever pitch” where “attendances exceeded all expectations” and the Blues always seemed to “show quickness and excellent team-work”

In 1939 over 300 people were present in the village Hall Myshall to enjoy a dance under the auspices of the local camogie club. The happiest moment of the night was when Rev. Fr. Flood C.C. presented the Myshall Camogie team, the winner of the 1938 Co. Championship with a beautiful set of medals. Those who received the medals were:

Misses Marie Clancy (Captain), Marie O’ Rourke, M. Clowry, A. O’Shaughnessy, L. O’Shaughnessy, M. Bolger, A. O’ Donohoe, M. O’ Donohoe, B. Kavanagh, M. Nolan, M. Fenlon, J. Keating, B. Murphy, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Nolan.

The girls playing at the time from the parish whether with Garryhill Rovers, Shean (again information is scant), Myshall Blues, or Drumphea Independents were reported to be doing their bit towards the promotion of Gaelic games and their efforts were rewarded by the co-operation of the public. On one occasion Carlow played Shean and “every stroke was fought and every score hard-earned on both sides”. Carlow won in the end by a margin of one point – final score Carlow 5 goals, Sheen 4 goals and two points. One camogie tournament at Myshall saw “some very close and interesting matches” played with eight teams from different parts of the county attending to do battle for a beautiful set of silver medals. It appears a first class pitch, splendid weather and a fine sporting spirit in every game combined to make a most enjoyable evening’s sport. From the large number of spectators it was evident that camogie was gaining popularity and the newspaper continues “if the enthusiasm of the different teams on Sunday is any criterion in a short time we will have first class exponents of the game all over the county and imbued with the true Gaelic spirit the cailíní will do much to banish foreign games form our midst. We hope that the enthusiasm which prevails at present to foster the “Games of the Gael” will continue and that those who have undertaken the good work will not relax their efforts until camogie which is now in its infancy is firmly established”.
 

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