In weather that ranged from utter downpours to ‘I should have put on suncream’, eight eager teams from five schools participated in the Kerry Camogie Spring Blitz. Held in Mercy Mounthawk on the 7th of March, camogie of great skill and enthusiasm was shown by all. As reigning champions of the Kerry Camogie Winter Blitz in November, the 14-woman Presentation Tralee camogie team were keen not to give up their title.
In the first round, Pres Tralee lost a hard-fought battle with Mercy Mounthawk which ended 2-1 to 1-1. After a regroup, the girls were determined to stay unbeaten for the rest of the day as they collectively agreed ‘We’re not going to lose anymore matches today’. Presentation Tralee achieved this goal in the following rounds as they overcame Causeway Comprehensive, two Presentation Castleisland and an ever-improving St. Joseph’s Secondary School Ballybunnion side in the A Semi-Final. Presentation Tralee were to face Causeway Comprehensive in the A Final, where clubmates and friends were on opposite sides.
The 11 a side final turned out to be the closest game of the day with only one point separating the sides. Presentation Tralee had to fight hard to gain two goals with Causeway responding with one point to make the score at half time 2-0 to 0-1. Encouraging words at half-time by coach Ms. Sheehy and the players themselves, focused the squad on the goal they had set out. With a seven-minute second half, both Causeway and Tralee girls had to dig deep as leg cramps ensued. Supportive and fresh substitutes throughout the day were vital. In what seemed to be a sure goal, Causeway Comprehensive’s goalkeeper made an amazing save of Clodagh O ‘Sullivan’s strike to keep tension high. Causeway kept the pressure on and brought their score to within a point of Tralee (2-0 to 1-2). When the final whistle blew, Presentation Secondary School Tralee came out on top by a single point. The girls set themselves a standard to which they attained through hard grit, determination and sportsmanship.
Presentation Secondary School Junior camogie squad:
Caoilinn Hickey, Ailisha Daughton, Aoife Foran, Amy McCarthy, Clodagh O’Sullivan, Alice O’Connell, Shona, O’Connor, Amy Corridan, Chloe Gleeson, Saorlaith Moore, Cara Cullen, Sarah Cantillon, Katherine Quilter and Rebecca O’Sullivan
Coach: Ms.Sheehy
Captain Cara Cullen accepted the plaque from organizer and Kerry Camogie star Laura Collins on behalf of her team.
With an upcoming camogie blitz before the end of the school year, Presentation Secondary School Tralee camogie squad will have their eyes on the three-in-a-row.
Great thanks and appreciation to Laura Collins for her work in organizing the blitzes and her work to promote camogie in Kerry. Gratitude also to Mercy Mounthawk Secondary School for holding the event, providing refreshments and entertainment.
