All – Ireland Senior Camogie Champions 2006
On a bitterly cold Saturday in Mullingar St. Fergal’s senior camogie team won the All Ireland B camogie final for the first time. It was a well-earned victory full of courage and determination, which saw them, finish five point winners over Armagh’s St. Patrick’s High School of Keady.
The seeds of success of the present St. Fergal’s team were sown when Cork teacher Louise Gumbleton, introduced camogie to St. Fergal’s back in 1991. Mr. A Shortall former Principal continued the good work and enthusiasm for the game, grew over the following years.
Fergal Ryan came to St. Fergal’s in 1999 as a woodwork teacher and thus began the journey of this very successful team.
Eight of the present team (Eimear Delaney (C), Linda Moylan, Margaret Kelly, Sinead Sinnott, Marian O’ Grady, Karen Cuddy, Mary Fitzpatrick and Aine O’ Mahony) began training with Fergal in 2000 and with growing confidence took the Junior All Ireland Title in 2003 against Holy Rosary College, Mountbellow. Losing the Leinster Final in 2004 they regained it in 2005 but were unfortunately beaten in the All-Ireland semi-final against Woodford, Galway.
Reaching this years All Ireland Final has been a long and arduous journey for this committed group of girls. They have fought seven fierce battles culminating in their victory over Keady in the All Ireland final. This game was tightly contested with Fergal’s one point down at half time. An early goal in the second half for the Keady girls threatened St. Fergal’s. However, a halt was called to the game ten minutes from the end due to a neck injury suffered by a Keady player. When action resumed Fergal’s came out with all guns blazing and hit 1-5 without a St. Patrick’s response culminating with a goal from Aoife Quinlan and a point by Aine O’ Mahony.
Eimear Delaney, Captain accepted the cup and spoke of how great and honour it was to captain her school. She singled out trainer Fergal Ryan for special mention “There is a great man behind every woman there is certainly a great man behind this group of girls, he has instilled a mountain of confidence in us”.
Some measure of success of these girls undoubtedly lies with the clubs, which have nurtured them, St. Brigids and The Harps. Great credit is also due to many of the mothers and fathers of these girls famously known as “Fergal’s women” who have been so supportive over the years. Tribute must also be paid to Danny O’ Gorman, who not alone has driven them to every match bus has attended practice matches and training sessions also.
However the driving force and inspiration of this team is charismatic trainer Fergal Ryan, a Tipperary man from Borrisoleigh. His commitment to the team has entailed over sixty training sessions all outside school hours, evening, lunch hours and holidays. The girls attribute their ongoing success to his dedication and ability to instill an unquenchable sense of self-belief in them.
Report from St. Fergal’s College Yearbook 05/06.
Copyright © St. Fergal’s College.
Last Years Laois Camogie Player of the Year &
Captain of the All Ireland Winning Team.
The Road to the Final
On a bitterly cold Saturday in Mullingar St. Fergal’s senior camogie team won the All Ireland B camogie final for the first time. It was a well-earned victory full of courage and determination, which saw them, finish five point winners over Armagh’s St. Patrick’s High School of Keady.
The seeds of success of the present St. Fergal’s team were sown when Cork teacher Louise Gumbleton, introduced camogie to St. Fergal’s back in 1991. Mr. A Shortall former Principal continued the good work and enthusiasm for the game, grew over the following years.
Fergal Ryan came to St. Fergal’s in 1999 as a woodwork teacher and thus began the journey of this very successful team.
Eight of the present team (Eimear Delaney (C), Linda Moylan, Margaret Kelly, Sinead Sinnott, Marian O’ Grady, Karen Cuddy, Mary Fitzpatrick and Aine O’ Mahony) began training with Fergal in 2000 and with growing confidence took the Junior All Ireland Title in 2003 against Holy Rosary College, Mountbellow. Losing the Leinster Final in 2004 they regained it in 2005 but were unfortunately beaten in the All-Ireland semi-final against Woodford, Galway.
Reaching this years All Ireland Final has been a long and arduous journey for this committed group of girls. They have fought seven fierce battles culminating in their victory over Keady in the All Ireland final. This game was tightly contested with Fergal’s one point down at half time. An early goal in the second half for the Keady girls threatened St. Fergal’s. However, a halt was called to the game ten minutes from the end due to a neck injury suffered by a Keady player. When action resumed Fergal’s came out with all guns blazing and hit 1-5 without a St. Patrick’s response culminating with a goal from Aoife Quinlan and a point by Aine O’ Mahony.
Eimear Delaney, Captain accepted the cup and spoke of how great and honour it was to captain her school. She singled out trainer Fergal Ryan for special mention “There is a great man behind every woman there is certainly a great man behind this group of girls, he has instilled a mountain of confidence in us”.
Some measure of success of these girls undoubtedly lies with the clubs, which have nurtured them, St. Brigids and The Harps. Great credit is also due to many of the mothers and fathers of these girls famously known as “Fergal’s women” who have been so supportive over the years. Tribute must also be paid to Danny O’ Gorman, who not alone has driven them to every match bus has attended practice matches and training sessions also.
However the driving force and inspiration of this team is charismatic trainer Fergal Ryan, a Tipperary man from Borrisoleigh. His commitment to the team has entailed over sixty training sessions all outside school hours, evening, lunch hours and holidays. The girls attribute their ongoing success to his dedication and ability to instill an unquenchable sense of self-belief in them.
Report from St. Fergal’s College Yearbook 05/06.
Copyright © St. Fergal’s College.
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Last Years Laois Camogie Player of the Year &
Captain of the All Ireland Winning Team.
