27.03.2012

 

“Confidence and competence” key to the growth of Camogie says O’Tuathaigh

 

A Game of Our Own: Camogie’s Story was officially launched on Friday, March 23^rd in Claregalway by Camogie Association President Joan O’Flynn.

Amongst the large attendance was special guest Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh, Professor Emeritus in History, NUI Galway and a member of the Council of State.

Speaking at the event Professor O’Tuathaigh said:

“From it’s founding in 1904 the players and administrative leaders of Camogie had consistently demonstrated that combination of confidence and competence without which, any organisation, sporting or other, can develop and prosper.

The growth and development of Camogie as Ireland’s leading female sport since the early twentieth century is a testament to strong, enlightened leadership, the ability to adapt to, and in vital areas to shape, successive waves of massive social change  – in the status and public presence of women, in popular leisure and sport, in the media and technology.

A Game of Our Own: Camogie’s Story is a compendious work of reference, richly illustrated and containing many insights into important aspects of Irish social history, notably the empowerment of women, during the past century.”

President of the Camogie Association Joan O’Flynn stated:

“We are delighted that A Game of Our Own: Camogie’s Story is taking centre stage in Connacht, a province which has contributed so magnificently to the growth and development of camogie down through the decades.

It has been to the forefront, hosting the very first All Ireland Senior Camogie Final in 1932 and making a lasting impact in the intervening decades. Indeed the game is undergoing a‘re-birth’ in counties such as Mayo while start up clubs are flourishing in Sligo and Leitrim. It is also worth highlighting the consistently high level of performance achieved by strong traditional camogie counties such as Galway and Roscommon to date.”

Sinéad O’Connor, Ard Stiúrthóir of the Camogie Association; Jackie Brien, Chair of Connacht Camogie Council and Mary Moran, author of A Game of Our Own: Camogie’s Story, were also amongst the large attendance at Friday night’s event.

A Game of Our Own: Camogie’s Story was officially launched by the Camogie Association at Croke Park on December 15^th 2011. A final launch of the book will take place at a Mayoral Reception in Cork City Hall on March 29^th at which the Minister of State for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People, Kathleen Lynch will attend.

 

ENDS

Notes to the editor:

• Photographs from the event are available from Joe Travers Tel: 087 1255550 Email: joetravers2@gmail.com
• A Game of Our Own: Camogie’s Story is available to purchase from the Camogie Association by contacting Siobhan Lafferty, Tel: 01 865 8652 Email: Siobhan@camogie.ie
• For more information on the Connacht Camogie launch of A Game of Our Own: Camogie’s Story and other Connacht related stories go to www.connachtcamogie.com
• The Connacht Camogie Bursaries were also presented to Galway player Tara Ruttledge; Roscommon camogie player Caitriona Regan and Aoife Cassidy of Mayo.
• The Connacht Camogie Young Players of the Year were also honoured on the night. Tara Kenny (Galway); Orla Gately (Roscommon) and Áine Charlton (Mayo) received the prestigious accolades.
• Connacht Camogie Council also unveiled their new official website, Connachtcamogie.com which was designed and developed by Colm Beirne in consultation with Connacht Camogie.
• Friday night’s launch, which was presented by Sean Walsh of Galway Bay FM, was also accompanied by a presentation to the outgoing chair of Connacht Camogie Council and Vice President of the Camogie Association Jackie Brien by President Joan O’Flynn.

 

* For further information contact Claire Egan, Communications & Marketing Director, The Camogie Association, Tel: 01 865 8618/087 9030 755 Email: Claire@camogie.ie