Tinahely girls do themselves and county proud

by Zoe Katus and Tara O Keeffe

QUALIFYING for Féile Peile na nog this year wasn’t easy. We went up to Balinakil in the pouring rain then was told it was to be moved to Bray due to the pitch conditions.

Despite the weather the team came out on top and qualified for Feile 2018. We got a trophy and a chance in a lifetime to play teams all over the country, as well as America.

On the 29th of June, we headed up to Louth to start the weekend. On the way we stopped at Crowne Plaza in Dundalk for some food, we got a choice of veg, pasta, chicken, tomato sauce and potatoes.

When we finally reached our host Cooley Kickhams pitch, outside Carlingford, we warmed up for our first match against St Pat’s of Louth. The team played great in this match a convincingly won on a scoreline of 9-13 to 0-0.

Second match on Friday evening was against Kilcullen of Kildare. Our team had the beatings of them but the heat and travelling got to us and we lost to them 1-4 to 7-5.

We put the loss behind us and met our hosting families for the weekend. Cooley Kickhams was a lovely team and made all of the Tinahely girls and supporters feel very welcome.

On Saturday morning we were in a parade with the Cooleys girls, the Cooley lads and their team they hosted from Sligo. We marched behind the pipe band and all supporters cheered us on. After the parade we played our hosts. We won 3-6 to 1-0 which meant we entered the cup quarter-final.

Before the quarter-final the Tinahely girls and Cooley girls got to play footgolf. This was great fun and both teams became closer together.

After footgolf we got word that we were to play New York. We were all very excited to play a team from another country. When this began Tinahely had the most possession.

At half time it was 0-2 to 0-0 for Tinahely. When the second half began New York got two quick goals and our thoughts of beating New York were gone.

New York did not travel that far to not get to play on the Sunday , the game ended as 2-2 to 0-2 in favour for the American team.

Tara and I were brought to a “magic hill” by our host. We drove to the bottom of a hill, turned the car fully off, and the car started going back up the hill.

When we got back to our hosts house we got showers and dolled up for the disco. Before the disco there was a presentation and food for everyone. The disco started and all teams were up dancing to the Macarena.

On Sunday we got to support the Cooley girls in their semi-final which they won. Sadly we could not go to their final but we wished them the best of luck.

We headed down the the Dr Cullen pitch in Carlow to support the Wicklow girls in their Leinster final against Laois. After the final we got Supermacs. We were all tired and hungry and couldn’t wait to get back home. When we reached Tinahely, supporters all cheered us on and we got off the bus.

While on the bus we found out that Kilcullen and New York were in the final. This showed us how well we had done to only have lost to the two finalists.

We all headed home to rest and soon we’ll be back training hard for league and championship.

We would all like to congratulate the other teams representing Wicklow in Feile, the Baltinglass girls, Arklow lads and St Nicholas lads.

A big well done to a close Carlow team, St Brigid’s Clonmore for winning the Division 7 Shield.

We have many people we’d like to thank, our coaches Eugene, Colette, Bernard and John for their hard work running up to this weekend, to all of our supporters for going up to Louth to support us, it was greatly appreciated. For all our help fundraising to get new gear and supplies for the weekend.

Our water boys and girls, and of course our hosts Cooley Kickhams. Lastly we want to say a big well done to the girls, you all played your socks off and you should all be proud of yourselves.

Megan Whelan, Eimear Breslin, Molly ODare, Tara McDonald, Hannah Doyle, Aoibhe Lancaster, Livia McDonagh, Aobha Harmon, Shauna O’Shea, Roisin Byrne, Aoife Connolly, Aoife Campbell, Eimear OSullivan, Zoe Katus, Laci Shannon, Emily Ging, Fay Doyle, Annaleigh O’Neill, Laura Doyle, Kayla Tighe, Aoife Stafford, Saidhbh Byrne, Grainne Lambert, Emma Kinsella, Roisin Donlon, Tara O’Keefe, Ciara OBrien.

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