Ladies with Sticks

The ladies weren’t just good with the big ball; camogie was played in the 1940’s. This was due to the encouragement of the serving priest, who had a keen interest in the game of hurling and the girls were active members of the Legion of Mary.  ‘Pull on the ground’, said Fr Murphy P.P. when observing and encouraging the local camogie players, as they trained next door to the curate’s residence in Talty’s field, Knockerra. He, being a Tipp man, felt he had the tactics. At 92 Nancy Casey recalled her playing days when back then there was no proper sportswear, just dresses or skirts. Their local trainer, Martin O’ Donoghue, a baker at Nagle’s Bakery, Moore St. Kilrush, coached the ladies to go out and play with spirit. You needed to be strong and athletic to play, according to Nancy. Her brother-in-law Joe Madigan made the camán (hurley) for her, while others had to purchase theirs at the very high cost of nine shillings. Nancy had memories of being laughed at by the townies, but her team had the last laugh as they beat Kilrush!

In the 1940’s the camogie team was affiliated to the Camogie Board under the name Knockerra. They won their first match which was played in Mick Flanaghan’s field Coolminga, now owned by his grandson Michael.

The following are some of the ladies who represented their club in competition:

Kathleen Conway recalled playing camogie, along with many of her school mates, in Mick Flanaghan’s field, next door to her house. She remembers the many wallops to her shins!