O'Loughlins u8s Camogie team ended their season with blitz held in Bennettsbridge on Saturday. Playing games against Bennettsbridge, Danesfort and Barrow Rangers these young girls finished their season in style. There were fantastic performances throughout the team demonstrating the enormous progress these girls have made since the start of the year.  

The goal was stoically defended by the brilliant Rachael Waldron pulling off four consecutive reflex saves in the space of a few moments. She was aided and abetted by the warrior type defending of Síofra O'Leary who along with Lauren Conway, Alice and Ava were a wall in defence. Orla Duncan, Sheena O'Keefe, Sara Fitzgerald and Hazel Slattery dictated the play from midfield with some fierce tackling by Orla Duncan forcing the ball forward for the attackers to do their jobs. 

Sheena consistently too moved the ball forward from midfield often acting as a sweeper in the half back line. In attack the tenacious Ena Lawlor and the industrious Amy Lawless made the score sheet a number of times. Esta, Nicole Galvin, Anna Maria and Aoife, were outstanding, and Caoimhe Ryan was busy and clinical in her execution all day and has become one of the central figures in this young team.

The girls are finished now for this season and already they're looking forward to March 2015 when it all kicks off again. All at O'Loughlins will be keeping a close eye on these girls as they develop over the next number of years. A big effort was put into training this year and management wish to thank the students from the Presentation Secondary school , club camogie players, for their help during the year - Caoimhe Treacy, Rachel Lenihan, Aoife Whelan, Sarah Bergin and Aoife McKiernan. Well done to all the girls and all involved in what was a great year for u8s Camogie.


Eoin Lawlor

The O'Loughlins U8s Camogie hosted their summer blitz in St. Johns Park on Saturday morning.  On two pitches, four teams played a series of three matches each with a large contingent of supporters cheering on the girls. It would normally be difficult to play Camogie under such balmy conditions but not these girls. Every ball was contested and gingerly moved up the field into attack.

First up was city neighbours Dicksboro. This was an excellent encounter with some powerful performances by both teams. Orlaith Duncan, Siofra O'Leary and Sheena O'Keefe steadied the ship from midfield with some excellent play, Hazel Slattery kept her cool while net minding in the first half while her replacement Rachel Waldron pulled off what was arguably the save of the day in the second half. Forwards Marie Culleton, Ena Lawlor and Amy Lawless all worked well with some excellent interlink play. Emma Power and Emma Dillon were very busy in defence and their excellent work rate was the platform for an overall great team performance

Next up for the challenge was St. Martins. The O'Loughlins girls got stuck in straight away with some excellent blocking and tackling by the aforementioned Orlaith Duncan. Siofra O'Leary moved into defence and was kept very busy by a strong St.Martin's attack but ably assisted by Lauren Conway and Nicole Galvin the managed to keep the ball away from Rachael Waldrons net very effectively. Good delivery through midfielders Caoimhe Ryan and Sarah Fitzgerald meant that the forwards could do damage to the St. Martins defence up front. Rosa Phelan got herself on the score sheet as too did Ena Lawlor to cap a fine days work by these girls. Aoife Ryan, Amy Lawless and Marie Culleton were relentless and the eagerness to play for the team was epitomised by Marie Culletons willingness to continue even after getting a bad knock on the hand. The game ended in a draw which was a fair result as both teams gave 100%. Well done to both teams

The final match for the O'Loughlins girls was against Clara. Again the girls carried the momentum from their earlier games and powered into an early lead with well taken goals by Ena Lawlor after some excellent collaboration by the O'Loughlins forwards, Amy Lawless, Marie Culleton and Lauren Conway. Caoimhe Ryan, Orlaith Duncan and the two Emma's, Power and Dillon, were excellent throughout the day. Rachael Waldron continued between the sticks with an efficient display while Siofra O'Leary was again very solid. Hazel Slattery, Rosa Phelan and Sheena O'Keefe were super and Sarah Fitzgerald gave a powerful performance from midfield. Nicole Galvin Aoife Ryan and Amy Lawless all made their mark on the day. This was a fine team performance resulting in the best result possible for these girls. Their progress through the summer is very evident by their improved performances. A big thanks to coaches Monica Kearns and Helen Phelan and their team for their work with the girls.

The blitz was a resounding success which didn't go unnoticed by the words of gratitude expressed by the visiting teams and mentors from Clara and Dicksboro Camogie clubs. A big word of thanks to St. Martins too for their contribution to the days events. The girls continue training on Monday evenings at 6.30pm. Well done to all the girls today and keep up the good work.