Sporting Clubs

CUMANN CAMOGAIOCHTA MÍSEAL

MYSHALL CAMOGIE CLUB 1977-PRESENT DAY

Myshall Camogie Club was reformed in 1977 after a lapse of over 30 years. The officers of the club were: Chairperson – Mary Foley (Quirke); Secretary Joan Fenelon (Doyle); Treasurer – Bernadette Fenelon; Vice chairperson – Mary Quirke; P.R.O – Marie Fenelon (Quirke).

Eamon Quirke and Ger Foley were the first trainers. One of the first matches they played was a practice match against Carlow Town with Myshall winning on a score line of 6-2 to 2-0.

The club won their first senior Co. Championship in 1979, beating Carlow Town in the final. Trainers were Ger Foley and Carmel Meaney. Captain of the team Breda Foley in full back position played an outstanding game and inspired all the girls in the Black and Amber to play their part in making this a memorable day.

Winning the Championship in 1980 and 1981, Myshall reached for the 1st time the Leinster Club Final being defeated by Camross in Mountrath by a single point, a memorable and disappointing day for the club (the Myshall mentors having carried and erected the goalposts for the game)

The following year the club again won the county final and successfully reached the Leinster Club Championship Final. Mary Ryan (Smyth) came to work in Borris Voc school and joined the Myshall Club, she was an outstanding player who played with Kildare and went on to play for Myshall for a number of years, later transferring to Naomh Bríd (1988/89) where she now lives. Opponents on the day were St. Anne’s (Louth) and in what was a fantastic final Myshall won their first ever Leinster Club title. Final score Myshall 2-3 St. Anne's 2-2, a point from Mary Quirke only seconds from the end of the game clinched the title. Again Ger Foley and Carmel Meaney trained the team. They then went on to play St. Paul’s (Kilkenny) in the senior semi-final and played out of their skins, almost pulling off a shock defeat leading at half time, on a score line of 2-5 to 1-1. Losing out, after a storming second half by the great Downey sisters.

It must be noted in 1982 also the Myshall club team had every member of the team playing for the County team and Carlow that year reached the All Ireland League semi final meeting Tyrone in Myshall. Indeed the Tyrone team came down the night before and stayed with the Myshall (Carlow) team. On the day a large crowd attended the game and unfortunately the Carlow team lost by a single point to their Northern opposition.

In 1983 the Myshall team retained the Leinster Club C-ship title in convincing style beating Avoca (Wicklow) in Myshall on a score line of Myshall 3-10 to Avoca 3-3. Scorers: Geraldine Doran 1-2, Pauline Doran 1-0, Nuala Smithers 1-1, Mary Ryan 0-2, Mgt Ryan 0-1, Sadie O’Brien 0-4.

In 1984, '85 and '86 Myshall again won the County C-ship and in 1985 and 1986 they added Leinster Club C-ship titles back to back bringing their tally to 4 Leinster and 8 County titles. By now the club was one of the strongest on the club scene in Leinster and was widely recognised, with most of the club team playing for the County team.

The senior team again won the County Final in 1987 and in 1988 they won the U-14, U-16 and Senior County titles.

In 1989 the club had probably one of the most successful years since forming, winning the U14, U16, U18 and their 11th senior title in a row and the Kilrush tournament. Pat Kelly (RIP) was trainer this year. Ger and Breda Foley retired after many great victories and tremendous work throughout the years. Nuala Quirke returned from America and Mgt Ryan married James Hogan.

For the first time in 12 years 1990 was the year Myshall lost their county title to Leighlinbridge and again in 1991. The juvenile teams of the club kept the spirits up with some great performances and the U18 team claimed their county title.

It was 1992 when the senior team won back the county title defeating Leighlinbridge on 0-10 to 0-5, also that year the U14 team were too good for Ballymurphy beating them in their final.

Retaining the senior titles in 1993 and 1994, the club was putting a huge effort into the training of underage teams which would be rewarded in the coming years. It was with great sadness that the club learned of the death of one their senior players Breda Foley following an accident in the US. She was a valued member of the club.

The summer of 1995 is a year Myshall senior team will remember for a long time. The sunshine, heat wave, - playing 4 matches in 6 days – as the headline in the paper states ‘From county final to Leinster final in six days’. John Byrne training the team. They defeated Leighlinbridge in the county final after a replay, then defeated Kilkerely (Louth), Drumcullen (Offaly) and met Camross (Laois) in the Leinster final which was a great victory for the club winning on a score line of 1-11 to 2-7. This game was played in Myshall and the support from the locals was inspiring for the team. Captain Trisha Stacey received the cup amid tremendous support and celebrations. They weren’t finished yet meeting arch rivals St Laurences (The Larries) in the Senior C-ship, the game went to a replay after controversy and they defeated The Larries 4-5 to 1-10. The summer came to an end with defeat to Rathnure (Wexford) in the Senior Final. Also that year the juvenile teams had great success winning U-10, U-16 and U-18 Championship. The 10’s claimed their 2nd county title in a row beating Kildavin that team was:

The senior team defeated old rivals Leighlinbridge now known as Naomh Brid in all 3 finals ’96, ’97, and also won the League. The U-10’s and U-12’s won their co. final in ’97. The U10 team won their co. final in ’98, with the U-12’s and U-14’s losing their finals. Myshall National School won the County Blitz.
 


Leinster Camogie Finalists in 1998

1998 saw the senior team defeating Naomh Brid in the county final to retain their title 7th in a row and 18th in total. In the Leinster final they played old rivals The Larries on their home ground in Ballytore. On a very windy day Myshall emerged winners on a score line of 1-7 to 2-3, a one point victory. ‘The supporters thought the referee’s watch had stopped’. Joanne Lawlor captained the team and proudly lifted the cup, she also captained the county team that year who defeated Wexford in the Leinster Final.

The club and County were represented by Elaine Fox in the Féile na nGael skills in 1999 who came third overall, a great achievement. Again the U10’s won their championship, now having won 5 out of 6 titles. The U12 championship also came to Myshall after they defeated Mount Leinster Rangers. This year saw a change from 12 a-side team to 15 a-side teams and to a full sized playing pitch. Losing the senior championship the girls fought hard and ‘Won the League’ Also reaching the final of two 7 a-side competitions in Clane and in Kilmacud Crokes. The National school won the mini 7’s for the second year in a row and Pamela Whelan was chosen to play in Croke Park during semi-final.

2000 The Millennium Year saw Myshall regain their coveted title after they had a two point win over Naomh Brid. Treasa O’ Neill proudly lifted the cup in front of a huge crowd. The U12’s played brilliant to win their county final, with the U10’s unlucky to lose out in their final.

Myshall U-14 team represented Carlow in Feile Competition in 2001 when they travelled to Cork and did the club proud. Sheila Ryan and Peter O’Rourke were the trainers of this skilful group of girls.

This year also the U-10’s were runners-up, the U-12s, U-14’s, U-16’s were all successful in their championships and the senior’s did their bit by winning the championship and league finals.

In 2002 the senior team defeated Mount Leinster Rangers in the county final on a score line of 4-7 to 0-4, bringing back to Myshall the new Tom Nolan cup but also bringing back the clubs 22nd County Championship title out of a possible 25, a record that won’t be matched by many clubs in the country, a record that the girls who wore and who will wear the black and amber jersey, juvenile or senior can be most proud of.

The club had another successful year in 2003 with the U14 team winning county Championship, Community Games and Féile Competitions. The team and mentors Nuala Quirke and Trisha Stacey travelled to Ashbourne in Meath where they played some impressive camogie. The senior team defeated Mount Leinster Rangers in their championship final and winning the league final against Naomh Brid. The U-10’s won their championship in a very exciting game keeping up their excellent record. A new Ground Camogie competition started for U-9’s and U-11’s in the county with both Myshall teams doing very well.

2004 marked the Camogie centenary year and the club had another enjoyable season, the senior team reached their 26th final to beat Naomh Brid making it a remarkable 23 county championship titles for the club, with three of those players Sheila Ryan, Mary Nolan and Nuala Quirke playing for the club since the late 70’s. This record is a credit to each one of them- a record not to be matched by too many sports people throughout the country. These three players won their first senior championship medal in 1979 and all three played in the final and won yet another medal in 2004. What an achievement!

Again the U-14’s had a very successful year winning their County championship, Community games final and the Féile na nGael competition to go on and represent their club and county in a fine fashion playing their host club Leixlip (Kildare). After arriving home from Féile the girls played Rathnure (Wexford) in the first round of Leinster Community Games, in what was a very close encounter, some excellent camogie and in extra time Myshall showed great heart and determination to win by 2 goals. Unfortunately Thomastown (Kilkenny) were too strong for them in the next round, but can hold their heads high with their exceptional victories. The U-10 team yet again showed they could take the pressure and pulled out all stops to win the championship after a most exciting replay. With the U-16 team winning their championship defeating Kildavin and the U-9 team winning the ground camogie competition the future was looking good for the girls wearing the Black and Amber.
 
 


Myshall Camogie Senior Team


Myshall Camogie Senior Champions 2006
 


Myshall Camogie U-14 2006
 


Myshall Camogie U-12 Championship Winners 2007
 


Myshall Camogie Senior County Champions 2008
 

In 2005 Myshall had teams taking part in competitions at all age levels and also fielded a junior team. All lot of work was done in training underage teams the skills of the game and teamwork. Resulting in the U-10’s, U-12’s and U-14’s reaching their finals and with the U-16’s, U18’s and Seniors winning their finals. The U-18 win was a very important win for the club as it was the first time in a number of years to bring home a U18 title. The panel was Aileen Ryan, Amy Ryan, Pamela Whelan, Claire Fenelon, Zoe Foley, Gillian Nolan, Tara Wilson, Nikita Dooley, Lydia Tracey, Niamh Quirke, Marion Doyle, Annie Tracey, Helena Kelly, Ann Marie Fenelon, Coleen Mc Cabe, Edel Fenelon, Linda Whelan, Ashling Smithers, Evelyn Barron, and Lorraine Pugh. The U-14 team represented Carlow in the Feile na nGael in Cork in 2005.

The 35th Pan Celtic was held Letterkenny in Donegal in 2006 with teams from Munster, Leinster and Connacht taking part and it was the Myshall girls to bring back the first Pan Celtic trophy back to Carlow winning the Senior B title (a good start to the year). They went on to defeat MLR in the Senior Championship final later in the year on a score line of 2-11 to 2-4.

The U-14 girls took part in the Community games camogie and representing Carlow they played and beat the Kilkenny champions in Bunclody in what was a thrilling game from start to finish. They went to meet a much stronger Offaly team in their next game. Back on the club scene the U10 team were keeping things bright for the future with them winning their final against Ballinkillen.

The U-10 Panel: Roisin O Neill, Caitriona O Hara, Eilish Byrne, Laura James, Alison Rutzchisco, Ruth Foley, Michelle Nolan, Breege Nolan, Shannon Byrne, Clare Cummins, Ciara Daly, Nikita Nolan, Ashling Rooney, Emma Cogan, Sharon Duffy

2007 saw the counties of Carlow – Kilkenny host the Feile na nGael with Myshall Camogie club hosting Keady from Armagh. All teams took part in a huge parade in Kilkenny city on the Friday night. It was a great weekend for all involved. The U-8 and U-10 girls took part in the Go Games during the year and showed some great skills in their games. The U-12 team picked up the first silverware of 2007 when they meet Ballinkillen in their County final and after some strong defending by the Myshall backs; they got the breaks up front to come out with a victory on the day. The U-18 team added to silverware when they came out winners in what was a hard fought final. From the throw in both teams played with great team spirit and with only a puck a ball in it at times Myshall kept plugging away and proved too strong for MLR on the day. The Senior team won their 8th title in a row, a great achievement in any sport.

The 2008 year got off to a good start at underage level with the U-14 team again taking the Feile honours within the county. Contesting a number of underage finals and putting in a lot of work at training the younger members of the club the future is looking good for the Myshall ladies. However the Seniors had to dig deep this year as MLR brought them to a replay in the first game but they made no mistakes second time round and won.

2009 will be remembered for ‘10 in a row’ a DECADE of glory for Myshall camogie was brought to a glorious conclusion at a rain-soaked Dr. Cullen Park on Sunday August 30 2009 when the undoubted queens of the game in Carlow won their tenth successive Senior Championship title. Adding ever further lustre to that ten in a row is the fact that this is their 29th title in 32 years, a phenomenal record, with Sheila Ryan a proud holder of all 29 medals.

The Myshall panel: Mary Nolan; Trisha Stacey, Sheila Ryan, Fiona Jordan; Treasa O’Neill, Marion Doyle, Joanne Joyce; Ciara Mullins, Tara Wilson; Niamh Quirke (.-.f), Olivia O’Neill, Kate Nolan; Nuala Quirke (.-.), Olivia Maye (.-., .-.f), Ciara Quirke ( Subs: Mairead Doyle for Ryan, Edel Fenlon for K Nolan.
 

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