Who We Are

Newtownshandrum, a village in North Cork in the Barony of Orrery & Kilmore, County of Cork, Ireland. The parish has a long tradition of involvement in Gaelic Games. Before the foundation of the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1884, tradition recounts the involvement of Newtown in Scuaibin - a game which involved a challenge with some other parish. Victory was achieved by bringing the ball back to the village. Since 1900, Newtown played hurling and gaelic football.

Camogie has made outstanding progress over the last two decades. The local national school promotes camogie among the young girls of the district and by the age of twelve years the girls have a very good grounding in the game. Excellent playing facilities adjacent to the school are a great advantage. Many of these girls have distinguished themselves in the local parish team and in the camogie successes of St. Mary's Secondary School in Charleville.

U12 County Champions 1982
Back Row: F.Cremin, M.Mulcahy, D.Galvin, A.O'Sullivan, M.O'Brien, A.Cotter
Front Row: M.Quilty, M.Troy, S.Ring, C.Troy, G.Byrne, F.Reidy

Newtown Camogie Club was founded in 1978 and due to its geographical situation, it was decided that the Co. Limerick league and championship would be more suitable for the teams for travelling purposes. Considerable success was achieved at school and adult level while competing in Co. Limerick. This arrangement continued until the 1997 Annual General Meeting, when it was decided to participate in the Co. Cork league and championship. In the very first year in competition in Co. Cork, Newtown won the Senior B competition and were promoted to the Senior A competition in 1998.

In 1978 at the Ladies' Football Annual General Meeting, a proposal was made that a camogie club would be formed. This was accepted with enthusiasm by everybody present. It was decided that the Limerick League and Championship would be more suitable for us, for travelling purposes. Teams were drawn up and fixtures were made for the games. Since we had very little experience in the skills of camogie we were more successful than we anticipated. 1979 proved an even more successful year and the list of players affiliated that year increased from 14 to 20. We reached the final of the league and championship that year. Our opponents were knockainey. After very close and contesting matches we were the unlucky losers. Knockainey were promoted to Intermediate level as a result of their success and we remained Junior for the third successive year.

Junior Camoige Champions 1980

1980 was the most successful year. We defeated St.Pat's (Limerick), Kilmallock and Feenagh in the League and Championship. Feenagh proved to be the toughest in both finals but we emerged as deserved winners. Our captain Theresa O'Callaghan accepted a cup for both the league and championship which were presented to her by Fr. Ryan, Chairman of the county Board. He congratulated us heartily on our determination and on our team spirit. We were then promoted to Intermediate level eventhough we wanted to remain at Junior level but our request was refused. The principle reason for remaining at this level was because we were losing some of our best palyers and we felt that we would be more suited to the junior level of camogie. 1981 panel of players included: Bernadette Murphy, Eileen Geary, Noreen Herlihy, Anne O'Leary, Mary Clifford, Noreen Morrissey, Maura Curtin, Sheila curtin, Nora O'Mahony, Theresa O'Callaghan, Ina Murphy, Caitriona O'Mahoney, Nora Morrissey, Noreen Slattery, Julie Culhane and many other players.

Camogie is also played in the National School, Newtown, and without doubt there are many talented young players. In 1980 they reached the final of U12 championship in the Limerick division. They were beaten by a more experienced team, Croagh-Kilfinny. The club is grateful to the dedication of Mr. Michael Harrington and Mrs. Phil Curtin in preparing the teams for each match.

Click here to return home