By Risteárd Ó Fuaráin
FOUR Kerry Teams participated in the Camogie Féile and it was a fantastic experience for these young girls to take part in such a prestigious competition and forge friendships with players from other counties.
Causeway and Cillard competed in Division 5 and Killarney and Tralee competed in Division 6.
Tralee Parnells welcomed Castleblayney Camogie Club. They faced Killarney and Four Roads on Friday evening and while they were unsuccessful, the spirit shown augured well for the rest of the competition.
They faced Castleblayney on Saturday morning and gave a great performance to win by a goal. Then it was off to Baile Bhuirne to face Bandon and another great performance gave them a four-point win.
Their next game was a semi-final meeting with the highly-fancied Edendork St. Malachy’s of Tyrone. Despite giving their all, the Tyrone Girls proved to be too strong. However, Cailíní Thrá Lí can be very proud of their achievements over the weekend.
Killarney hosted Four Roads Camogie Club from Roscommon and made fantastic start to the competition on Friday evening by overcoming stiff opposition from Castleblayney and Tralee Parnells.
On Saturday morning, Killarney faced their guests, Four Roads, but unfortunately the Rossies proved too strong.
Killarney then progressed to the Cup quarter-final where they faced Clonakilty. After a tough battle at Baile Bhuirne, Cailíní Chill Airne emerged victorious and they were now looking forward to a Division 6 Cup semi-final meeting with Nemo Rangers, which took place at Mayfield.
However, despite a spirited performance, the Cork Girls proved too strong. Killarney were delighted that their guests Four Roads went on to lift the title. This was an excellent performance by the Killarney Girls and the future looks bright for the sport in the Killarney area.
Cillard welcomed Castletown Geoghegan of Westmeath. They had an excellent start on Friday evening when they defeated Na Brídeoga of Mayo. They then faced their neighbours Causeway but despite a great performance, the laurels went to the girls in Maroon and White.
On Saturday morning, Cillard faced their guests Castletown Geoghegan and recorded an excellent victory.
They then travelled to Mallow to face Ballyhea in the Cup quarter-final. This was an enthralling contest but Ballyhea emerged victorious. All in Cillard can be very proud of the displays by their U14 Team over the weekend.
Causeway welcomed Na Brídeoga of Mayo, a team they had defeated to capture the Féile title in 2018. On Friday evening they had two good wins against Castletown Geoghegan and Cillard.
On Saturday morning they continued their winning streak against Na Brídeoga. They then travelled to Cloughduv and had a one-point win against Oran of Roscommon. They then faced Ballyhea in the Division 5 Cup Final.
Ballyhea had beaten Cillard in the semi-final and they continued their success against Kerry Teams by lifting the title.
Causeway had led at halftime but Ballyhea’s second half performance gave them victory. It was a brilliant achievement by Causeway to reach the decider.
All in Kerry Camogie are proud of our teams’ performances over the weekend and we express our gratitude to their mentors, parents and all those who made the weekend such a memorable occasion. Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.