Camogie club in Offaly holds action packed summer camp

THE highlight of the week for Tullamore Camogie Club's underage groups was the annual summer camp. The three-day action-packed camp gave participants an opportunity to do fun activities, focus on camogie skills and work on their match skills by playing mini games. The mid season transition for underage took place this weekend with the older girls in each group moving up a category. Our Tullamore girls on Offaly teams were busy this weekend with our senior girls Leah Gallagher, Orla Gorman and Becky Bryant playing for Offaly. Tullamore camogie girls were also in action at u16 level and the u14 Offaly development squad. For club games, last week was our quiet week with Go Games Blitz scheduled for the coming week.

Our Tullamore Camogie Summer camp took place last Monday to Wednesday. The three day camp had a fun activity, a camogie skills section and game practice for the three days.

This year the fun activities consisted of bracelet making with Laura Guinan on day 1, a tour of O Connor Park on day 2 and Zumba on day three. Our senior girls Leah Gallagher, Orla Gorman and Becky Bryant visited the summer camp to put the girls through their paces with high octane mini skill challenges for the girls. The obligatory posing for photographs with senior and underage players was an enjoyable and memorable part of the first day.

Day 2 of the camp was a tour of O Connor Park access all areas. We were treated to the Offaly Rover sung by one of the underage girls as it rang across the pitch on the PA system. Dan Bourke from the u20 Offaly Hurling team chatted to the girls in the stand and happily answered questions. However, no trip to O Connor Park is complete without the team photo. This was followed by a mini-game on the hollowed turf of O Connor Park.

On the last day, Day 3 of the Summer camp the Tullamore girls all took to the floor of O Brien Park social centre with Dorinda for some Zumba. The day ended with a serving of ice-cream for all participants. Another successful camp completed. To all those who helped organise the event, to those who helped with the running of the camp especially our u16, u15 and u14 club members who helped over the three day and of course the underage girls who attended the Tullamore Camogie camp a big thank you. Go raibh míle maith agaibh uilig.

Our Tullamore senior girls Leah, Orla and Becky were in action for the Offaly Intermediate team last weekend in Semple Stadium Thurles. Offaly were competing for a place in the semi-finals in two weeks time. The challengers Meath had beaten Offaly in the League earlier in the year. Offaly made the game their own with our very own Becky Bryant scoring a goal early in the second half from a long pass in. The final score was a very impressive Offaly 5-18 to Meath 3-6. The girls will go on to play Cork in the semi-final in Semple Stadium. Toradh éachtach a chailíní.

Our u16 Tullamore girls were also in action last weekend against Wexford in Clane GAA. Our girls Katie McDermott, Rachel Cunningham, Ella Cantwell and Katie Fogarty unfortunately lost to a very strong Wexford team. Our girls will return to play club for the rest of the season. The experience the girls gained this year will stand to them next season. Fáilte ar ais a chailíní.

Match schedule for this week:

Monday 15^th July u13 Naomh Bríd vs Tullamore in Coolderry GAA at 6.30pm

Sunday 21^st July u11 blitz in Dr. Kelly’s Field at 10am. Tullamore, Edenderry, St. Sinchill’s and Ballinamere /Durrow.

Sunday 21^st July u7 / u9 Blitz in St. Brendan’s Park Birr at 10am. Birr, Shinrone, Tullamore, Brosna Gaels.

Note – the first round of the minor championship has been postponed. Date to be confirmed.

The Tullamore Camán and Chat social camogie group are inviting past members and past camogie players to join them on a Monday night in O Brien Park between 7 -8pm for recreational camogie. For those wishing to play at least 1 of the following should apply:

1. Never played camogie before

2. Over 25 years

3. Have not been involved with competitive competition in the previous 5 years. https://camogie.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Resource-Booklet-Caman-n-chats.pdf

If anyone is interested in joining, pick up your camán, don the helmet and football boots and join the girls in O Brien Park. Camán and Chat does not play on bank holiday Mondays. For further details contact Miriam 086 383 6283. Bígi linn.