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The Ballincollig
Camogie Club was founded in 1974.
The parish was growing and at
the time there was very little sports available for girls. All
the girls attended secondary school in the City. So a wise
number of ladies under the guidance of Fr.Kieron Twomey set up
the camogie club.
The first team to represent the club were at
Under 14 (The first under age team at that time) the club
colours at the time was brown and orange (I know!!!). With the
growing number the club expanded to Under 16; under 18 and
progressed to adult level at Junior B. Nell Hennigan - our
present President - was part of the initial committee and was a
wonderful mentor who showed the girls, no matter their ability,
that they belonged and were welcomed; and as the saying goes
from a little acorn grows a strong tree. That is how the Club
has progressed.
In the early 80's the Club was very strong and
competed for County Titles both at under age and also adult
level. But they never captured the illusive title. The Club
ambled along into the 90's and it was in the late 90's that the
Club reached an all time low with membership around 25. A small
group of active members took the reign; Mary (Hennigan) Weste as
Chairman; Teresa Morrissey (Secretary); Mairead (O'Sullivan)
Donovan - Treasurer and Lillie O'Sullivan (RIP) PRO and Club
delegate to the County Board and also County Board
Registrar. From here the Club began the hard road back. Mairead
began training the girls in Scoile Mhuire where they won their
first camogie Sciath na Scoil title and this increased the
membership and some of these girls are the present Senior
players (Maria O'Donoghue and Denise Cronin) - it was an
exciting time for the Club and the revival continued.
By the
turn of the century we were competing in at Under 12; 14; 16;
18; and Junior B. We won our first Under 16 B League County
Title and this paved the way for the progress of the Club. We
competed well at adult level but the County Title was illusive.
However, a brave decision by the Club in 2007 where the club
decided to play in the Junior A competition despite not winning
at the B grade (having played and lost in 2 finals). The
decision was the right one we competed in the Junior A
Championship Final and were beaten by Killeagh, but secured the
League title. 2008 we finally broke through and won the Junior
A championship title and also the Junior Shield Championship not
one but two adult titles were ours. This was built on in 2009
and the Senior B title was won and elevated the Club to SENIOR
status. While our adult teams were doing well our underage were
competing in Muskerry winning under 13 and 15 titles. We also
won our second Under 16 title but this time in the
Championship.
2009 was a special year for the Club we competed
in two under age finals at Under 11a (a first for the Club) but
lost this one; and at Under 13b and this was a win. At Under 18
we competed for the fifth year in a row the Under 18 County
Final but didn't win the title despite a gallant performance.
The excellent Senior B win bring the club a new status within
the County and a great What a fantastic few years. The players
are fortunate to belong to a small but proud Club. The green and
white jersey is worn with pride and distinction at all ages and
the original ethos that has guided the club of inclusion is
still as important now as when founded in 1974. Seeing our girls
giving their all gives the members, mentors and supporters a
great feeling and long may it last.
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