Camogie anniversary to be celebrated in Navan

First ever public game was played in Pairc Tailteann

Wednesday of next week, 17th July, marks the 120th anniversary of the first ever public game of camogie in Ireland, which took place at Navan’s Pairc Tailteann. A celebratory evening is being held at the Navan venue on Wednesday evening to commemorate the match between two Dublin teams.

The Camogie Association’s official guide states that the history of the game of camoguidheacht dates back to the year 1904. The Keating branch of the Gaelic League, Dublin, was foremost in the Irish language movement, and along with popularising the national language, did much in favour of national athletics.

The first camoguidheacht practice was held in the Phoenix Park on 13th July 1904, a preliminary to the first game to be played at an Aeridheacht later that month.

The Aeridheacht was held under the auspices of the Navan branch of the Gaelic League, and there were some 2,000 spectators present at the venue then known as the Meath Agricultural Showgrounds.

The match was between two Dublin clubs, Cuchulainns and Keatings, with the latter winning by one goal to no score. The referee was PJ Bartley of Oldcastle, father of the late Fr Patrick Bartley, who was parish priest in Beauparc in the 1970s.

A press report at the time stated: “Both teams were composed of cailiní and belong to Dublin and the game, which aroused considerable interest, resembles hurling, the ground being marked out something like an ordinary football pitch. The camóg, or hurling stick, however, being much lighter and less dangerous than the ordinary camáns.”

The next game was played in Dublin in October of that year at The Thatch, Drumcondra, as one of the features of the Oireachtas that year.

In 2004, the centenary of the first game was marked when the then president of the Camogie Association, Miriam O’Callaghan, joined Minister Noel Dempsey to unveil a plaque at the Brews Hill venue, when Meath inter-county players, past and present re-enacted the first-ever public game. The players donned long black skirts an white blouses like those worn 120 years ago. One hundred children, dressed in the Meath colours, came onto the field and formed the figure of 100.

Later that year, a torch was carried from Pairc Tailteann to Croke Park by Meath and Dublin players on All-Ireland Camogie Final weekend in September.

Another local connection to the early years of camogie in Meath was the role of Lady Daisy Fingall of Killeen Castle as patron/president of the Camogie Association from 1911 to 1943. She was a founder of the Irish Countrywomen's Association, and camogie was a popular pastime around Kilmessan and Skryne at the time.

This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the Meath Camogie Board in 1964, which saw success the following year when a Meath team beat Kildare to win the Leinster Junior Final, the county’s first camogie honours.

The Meath Chronicle reported in April 1964 that a significant step towards the revival of camogie in the Royal County was taken in the Town Hall, Trim, when a Meath County Board was established.

The chairperson was Doreen Sheils, Kilmessan, vice-chairman, Jimmy Sheils, Kilmessan; secretary, Hilda Cosgrave, Boardsmill; treasurer, Ann Gilsenan, Trim. Athboy, Rathmolyon and Enfield would also have clubs.

Trin solicitor, Michael Regan, and businessman, Paddy Fay, came together to present the Fay-Regan Cup for a senior county championship.

Surviving members of the team that beat Kildare in the 1965 Leinster Junior Championship for the Smyco Perpetual Trophy are invited to next Wednesday’s celebrations at Pairc Tailteann where they will be introduced at half time in a 'legends match'.

That panel included captain, Bridget Donnelly, Kilmessan; Marie Morgan, Boardsmill; Jane Reilly, Enfield; Sheila McEnroe, Rathmolyon; Ann Lodge, Boardsmill; Mary McDonagh, Johnstown; Pauline Reilly, Agher; Nora O'Donnell, Agher; Marie Martin, Kilmessan: Louise McElhinney, Athboy; Mary Gannon, Boardsmill; Dorothy Ennis, Boardsmill; Betty Brady, Commons, Navan; Dolores Hanbury, Kilmessan; Nora Smith, Boardsmill; Maeve Sheils, Kilmessan; Mary Manning, Agher; Margaret O’Leary, Kilmessan.

At the function in January 1966 for the presentation of their medals, Hilda Cosgrave said that there were now 10 clubs in the county. Past and present members of clubs from across the county, including those no longer in existence, are invited to the celebrations in Pairc Tailteann next Wednesday.

Current clubs are being invited join the celebrations with a parade in Pairc Tailteann before watching legends of the game who have dusted off their boots for a showcase match. Winners of the Design a Flag competition will be honoured, as well as Navan O’Mahonys, winners of the 2024 D3 Féile. Over 1,300 U-12 players will participate.

The Camogie Board also wants to hear from clubs or people who have knowledge of any camogie clubs that are no longer in existence - one is Yellow Furze, and would treasure information or photos. They are asked to bring copies of originals to the celebration on Wednesday.

This is a free event and everyone is invited to join in this historic day with the parade starting the event at 6.30pm. Attendees are asked to be seated by 6.15pm.