Rathnure rejoice
Camogie club celebrating 50 years
TICKETS ARE still on sale for the Rathnure Camogie Club 50th anniversary dinner dance which will be held in the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, this coming Saturday, November 24, starting at 7.30 p.m.
The first meeting was held on February 29, 1968, and on that date is was decided to form a club and the first officers were elected.
Marcella Redmond was the club’s first Chairperson, while Eileen Ryan (nee Doyle) was appointed Secretary and Patricia Codd (nee Murphy) became Treasurer.
It was only a couple of years later when the club made its breakthrough into adult level camogie, winning its first Junior title in 1972, captained by Betty Hearn.
Success had already been tasted by the club winning the Minor (Under-16) county championship the year before, and this was the start of a glorious six-in-a-row winning streak at that level.
In 1973 the club entered a team into the Community Games competition. Winning first at county and then provincial level, they qualified for the All-Ireland semi-final and final weekend, held in Butlin’s, Co. Meath.
When they beat Roscrea (Tipperary) in the final, they became the first camogie team to bring All-Ireland club success to Rathnure and Wexford. Carol Higgins was presented with the ‘Milk Merit Award’ for player of the tournament.
Rathnure had more success at adult level in 1973 as they won a first Intermediate county championship, attaining Senior status which they still hold to this day.
The following year, 1974, the first camogie Féile na nGael was held in Co. Limerick. The club had the honour of representing Wexford in this huge event which, throughout the following years grew in prestige and popularity.
By overcoming the Limerick champions Ahane in the final by 5-0 to 0-1, they became the first camogie team to win the competition, bringing another All-Ireland title to Rathnure.
After many wins at under-age level throughout the ‘80s, the biggest success arrived in 1989 when the Senior team were successful in dethroning 14 times Senior champions, Buffers Alley.
Unfortunately, the title was lost once more in 1990 but regained again in 1991, and with wins in 1992 and 1993, the club completed the three-in-a-row.
In that era, Rathnure also won a first Leinster Club championship, beating Lisdowney of Kilkenny in the 1992 final. After wins at the quarter- and semi-final stages, they reached their first All-Ireland Senior final but unfortunately fell short to Glen Rovers from Cork.
Success finally came in 1995, travelling to the home venue of Toomevara in Co. Tipperary where they became Senior All Ireland Club champions for the first time.
They followed on by winning county championships in 1996, 1999 and 2000. Success didn’t come again at this level until 2008, when they beat the successful Oulart-The Ballagh who were chasing a six-in-a-row at the time. This brought their level of top honours to nine county Senior titles, four Leinster titles, and one All-Ireland Club title.
Another breakthrough was made at under-age when the Minors (now Under-18) win six Premier titles in seven years (2010 to 2013, 2015 and 2016), and most of these players are now part of the Senior panel.
Following on with Junior success in 2016, they now field both Senior and Intermediate adult teams, and at every level under age.
For a small rural club set at the foot of the Blackstairs Mountains, Rathnure have enjoyed many great years of success since its formation 50 years ago. They have been very competitive throughout the years at club level, and represented the county with distinction at every level.
Many of their past and present players have represented Wexford, while also bringing back Leinster and All-Ireland glory to the county.
They also boast an All Star play- er in Claire O’Connor, while her sister, Ciara, also gained the honour of being a Soaring Star winner during Wexford’s three-in-a-row All-Ireland Senior run of 2010 to 2012 when the Intermediate title was also annexed.
To celebrate this momentous year, club officials have held several events throughout 2018. These include an art competition in the local National School, running the Fr. McDonald eleven-a-side tournament, and purchasing commemorative gear.
The culmination of the year’s celebrations will be this gala dinner dance to be held on Saturday, November 24, in the Riverside Park Hotel.
Officials would like to extend their thanks to all those who have helped to shape the club to what it is today. Go raith maith agaibh go léir.
Music at the celebrations on Saturday will be provided by The Heartbeats Band, and the national camogie President, Kathleen Woods from Armagh, will be guest of honour. Tickets cost €35 and may be purchased from committee members or by contacting rathnurecamogie@gmail.com