Beann Eadair Secure First Camogie Title in 30 Years

Led by a Player of the Match performance by captain Leah Chambers, Beann Eadair ended a 30 year drought when they beat a gallant C.B.C team to secure the U16 Division 4 Championship on Saturday.
The win marks a remarkable renaissance for camogie in Howth:
back in the 1980s the club had a string of successes including a Junior B Championship title in 1986, an U14 league in 1987 and were runners-up in the Junior A Championship also in1987. In years that followed, the camogie tradition became dormant at the club, before being revived by Tipperary-man John Hickey when he started an U12 team in 2014.

Since then, that team has grown and developed, and Saturday’s breakthrough victory is the culmination of 5 years hard work by players and coaches alike.
The Howth girls started brightly on Saturday – after securing the throw-in, a long ball from Chambers was won by Almha Fitzpatrick, who made no mistake in opening the scoring with a fine goal. After that, C.B.C. with the aid of a strong wind, fought back strongly with a series of well-taken scores. With Hannah Stapleton marshalling the defence superbly, and with points by Orna Hickey and Chambers, Beann Eadair stayed in touch, and at half time C.B.C
led by the minimum, 1-4 to 1-3.
As the game resumed, strong running from C.B.C’s Dublin star Maedbh Hicks led to 2 further scores and the lead was extended to three. With the mid-point of the half approaching, the outstanding Chambers soloed through for an equalizing goal. C.B.C replied strongly and at times looked like they must score, but the Beann Eadair defence held firm.
Countering on the break, the Howth girls went in front again with a goal from Mary Haines, and the lead was extended to 4 when Stapleton scored a great point on the run. C.B.C. refused to accept defeat however, and were only held out by a resolute Beann Eadair defence, with goal-keeper Grace Quilligan pulling off a remarkable save after a super shot from Hicks.
With time running out, Beann Eadair broke again and goals from Haines and Chambers again, sealed a 10-point win, the scoreline not reflecting the epic nature of the contest. The final whistle was the cue for great celebrations – and one of those cheering loudest was Beann Eadair mentor Sandra O’Rourke, who played on the club’s Junior Championship team in the
1980s.
Camogie is back with a bang on the Howth peninsula!
Beann Eadair: 1. Grace Quilligan, 2. Chloe Hansen, 3. Eva Gurley, 4. Kate Mc Morrow, 5. Anna Maguire, 6. Ellen Quinn, 7. Cliodhna Slattery, 8. Hannah Stapleton, 9. Keeva Kenahan,10. Almha Fitzpatrick, 11. Leah Chambers, 12. Amy Comerford, 13. Orna Hickey, 14. Mary Haines, 15. Nikita Corrigan, 17. Rachel Fearon, 18. Tara O'Reilly, 19. Siofra Breathach, 20.Emma Fitzgibbon. Mentors: John Hickey, Cathal Fitzpatrick, Paddy Chambers, Sandra
O’Rourke