Historic day for Clare camogie

A HISTORIC day for Clare camogie was favoured with bright sunshine as Fr Michael McNamara Park was officially opened on Saturday in the presence of the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins.

There was a big attendance as Scotland beat an all-Clare Irish ladies’ side in a camogie-shinty game, the first official match played at the new headquarters of Clare camogie.

 

The Tulla Pipe Band entertained the attendance as President Higgins met members of both teams prior to the game.

A more experienced Scottish side dominated the exchanges and emerged as deserving winners of the tie on a 5-6 to 1-2 scoreline.

Prior to the official opening, Orla Considine, chairperson of Clare camogie said it was “a huge honour to be representing Clare camogie at this official opening”. She went on to welcome members of Fr McNamara’s family and everyone who made the day possible. She had a special mention for Clare County Council, who provided the facilities as well as Clare Local Development and LEADER “who have provided the funding which will allow us to develop this facility”.

Mayor of Clare Pat Daly said, “Clare camogie has been waiting over 27 years for this day and it’s a great tribute to Fr McNamara”. He paid tribute to Orla Considine and Michael Maher who, he said, “have done great work in acquiring this pitch. Clare County Council is delighted to be associated with this venture.”

Aileen Lawlor, president of the Irish Camogie Association, said she was honoured to be present to witness the opening of the facility. She recalled the work done by a committee headed by Kitty McNicholas and continued on by Orla Considine and her committee and she said it was appropriate the pitch is named after Fr McNamara who was dedicated to camogie and the GAA.

She expressed the wish that she would attend at the venue “many times during my three years in office to witness many games of camogie and hurling and whatever games are played here because its very important that it be available for all Gaelic Games”.

The new facility was blessed by Bishop Willie Walsh before the late Fr McNamara’s brother, Tom, and sister, Eileen, unveiled a plaque dedicating the grounds to the memory of their brother.

Following the camogie-shinty game, the parade of all Clare camogie clubs took place through the streets of Ennis on to Cusack Park for the second leg fixture in the hurling-shinty international, which was won by Ireland. On the previous night, the Irish U-21 team defeated Scotland at Gurteen in a tie in which Tony Kelly (Ballyea) and Seadna Morey lined out for Ireland.