St Fanahan’s camogie to recall last 50 years
THIS Saturday night St Fanahan’s Camogie Club will hold a get together at The Tavern in Mitchelstown where they will show slides of the many events over the past 50 years. Different jerseys used by the club over the last half century will be on display and many members will meet up with club players they may not have met for a number of years.
While outright success was not as much as one would expect, the winning of two County Junior camogie titles were significant. The first was in 1988 when St. Fanahan’s were crowned County Junior B League champions when they defeated Inniscarra in Grenagh. On their way to the county final they recorded good wins over Sarsfields and Bishopstown. In the county final their defence were very solid. Liz O’Neill had the opening goal. Eileen Boyd in goal made some very good saves. St. Fanahan’s with Tina O’Brien and Kathleen Lane impressing at midfield continued to dominate. League title in 1996. The final was were Caitriona Sheehy, Grainne where she played and won Senior the first competitive competitions Kay Nolan pointed two frees. delayed and played in May 1997 Sheedy, Claire Nolan, Eleanor League and Championship in the parish.
Inniscarra had their first score a against St. Finbarr’s in Rathcormac. Kenneally. Other panel members honours with Celtic. Una moved Despite a tough struggle down pointed free. Eileen Coffey goaled Played in wet conditions, were Caroline Lawlor-Casey, Susan back to Mitchelstown in 1953 and the years and outstanding players for the Mitchelstown side. Mitchelstown both defences were very solid. St Harding, Deirdre Coughlan, she revived the Galtee Girls. Many moving on the club had for the continued to do well in Fanahan’s had a goal by Georgina Una Courtney, Mairead Ryan. of those have now gone to their first time in their history to reach a the second half. Inniscarra had a Finn in the 19th minute. Barr’s In 2017 St Fanahan’s reached eternal reward. It was then decided Camogie County final in 1979. In goal but there was no denying St. equalised with a goal in the closing the county Junior B League final to cultivate young players. Mary 1980 they reached the knockout Fanahan’s their success on a final moments that saw them level at the losing to St Vincent’s. Over the Toomey and Kathleen O’Keeffe stages but lost out to Cobh. score of 2-3 to 1-1. break 1-0 each. St Fanahan’s did years the club lost a lot of finals but won their first medals at 10 years The club were greatly indebted
The winning team was Eileen well on the resumption but found they won the North Cork Under-11 of age while Kay O’Donnell and to the Presentation Sisters for the Boyd, Catherine Lomasney, Mary scores hard to come by. Jacqueline final in 2018 beating Kilworth in the her sister Mary started playing at use of their playground for training Toomey, Elaine O’Donnell, Kathleen Sheehan pointed a free. The final. Their Under-12s were beaten the age of 8 years. on Wednesday and Fridays. The Lane, Tina O’Sullivan, Jean City side replied with a goal that in the county final by Millstreet. Early officers were Chairperson older girls trained in O’Connell Dawson, Kay Nolan, Bridget Clahane, edged them ahead. Georgina The present committee include Eileen Boyd, Vice Chairperson Kay Park. At that time they fielded Under-14, Liz O’Neill, Eileen Coffey, Finn with her second goal edged President Kay Nolan, Chairman O’Donnell, Hon Secretary Una Under-16 and Minor teams Margaret Toomey, Cliona O’Donoghue, Fanahan’s ahead 2-1 to 2-0. Both Paddy Coleman, Vice-chairman Toomey, Treasurer Mary Toomey. who all reached county semi-final Una Toomey, Linda O’Neill, sides missed a few chances with Michael Casey, Hon Secretary Camogie was played in Mitchelstown stages three years running. Sandra Donegan and Patricia the Mitchelstown girls sealing Timmy O’Sullivan, Assistant Secretary under the banner St. Fanahan’s St. Fanahan’s had a very strong Skinner. victory with a late pointed free by Tom Tierney, PRO Damian since 1968. The club was side in the 80s with their Junior
The winning of this county title Jacqueline Sheehan 2-2 to 2-0 at Cremins, Assistant PRO Edel founded in Church St. It stemmed panel consisting of Rose O’Gorman, was the realisation of a life long the final whistle. Outstanding on Mullins, Treasurer Janet Norris from boys and girls from the street Tricia Skinner, Mary O’Donnell, dream for Una Toomey who founded the evening were Georgina Finn Assistant Treasurer Pat McDonnell, playing hurling in Mrs McEnally Mary O’Neill, Mary Toomey, St Fanahan’s in 1968. Whilecounty and Esther Murphy. Registrar John Conway, Child back garden. Una Toomey commenced Bridget Clahane, Una Toomey, titles had eluded them up The winning team was Eileen Welfare Officer Triona Byrne. to train Colette Cotter, Eileen Boyd, Kay O’Donnell, Tina to 1988 they had numerous area Slattery, Kay Nolan, Triona Griffin, Una Toomey started her the Roche and Kent sisters. It O’Brien, Marie O’Doherty, Eileen finals, several trophies and wins Elaine O’Donnell, Ann Cahill, Jacqueline camogie career in 1947 with the gathered momentum so fast that Slattery, Breda Tatton, Kathleen in tournaments over senior and Sheehan, Cliona O’Donoghue, Galtee Girls but that gallant group the activities had to be brought to O’Gorman, Georgina Lomasney, intermediate teams to their credit. Mary O’Connor, Ann Marie broke up in 1950. Most of the O’Connell Park where matches Michelle Scanlon, Mary McGrath,
St. Fanahan’s next big achievement Nolan, Georgina Finn, Esther Murphy, team moved out of town and against the boys were arranged by Stephanie Dunne and Bernie was the county Junior B Catriona Bermingham. Subs Una Toomey moved to Dublin the late Florrie Cotter. These were Brosnan. Deplorable pitch surface forces Pairc Uí Chaoimh to close temporarily