After the exploits of the Carryduff Camog’s at Feile last season, it was time to tap into Google Maps again to head off to Mayobridge on Saturday.
They were all smartly turned out in their Feile gear as they assembled as a group. Weather conditions were pleasant for the parade which led from the Chapel car park, through the village and up to the angled atmospheric venue.
After the opening ceremony, Carryduff who came with designs to do well at this high standard competition, knew that all their opponents would be difficult.
They were straight into their first match versus Ballycran and got off to a blistering start. Playing proper camogie with vigour and intent, they showed no signs of any anxiety by working hard, helped by the movement of those around them and in front of them. It was encouraging to get the first win.
Mayobridge were up next and Carryduff showed courage and had set up a good platform from the goalkeeper up to alleviate the pressure. They were working tirelessly and playing with purpose to finish with a flourish and kept a clean sheet for the opening two matches running.
There was a big gap until their next match versus Liatroim Fontenoy’s and this delay knocked their momentum a bit. Our defence was a bit busier than we would have liked, they couldn’t relax and had to work harder to keep possession. Tournaments are very hard, there are no certainties and time factors are another pressure. Carryduff had to have speed in thought and deed in this match against Liatroim. It took a furnace of all their courage and ambition to superbly equalise with a stupendous goal just as the referee was about to blow the final whistle.
Some of the players were a bit ragged and legs were getting tired when there was a quick turnaround to face Portaferry in the fourth game. Carryduff were always in the contest, they had plenty of the sliotar, they had plenty of intensity, but they couldn’t defeat time as Portaferry just gained the edge in the pivotal final stages to navigate the win.
The next match had us as underdogs as we faced Bredagh where Carryduff really needed to win to advance in the Div. 1 section.
After being sustained by a surfeit of sandwiches, burgers and fresh air, there was a buzz amongst the observers who were gathered intently in the stand. The two imposters, triumph and disaster came to mind as neither side could contemplate defeat.
Both teams went at it with all propellors with uncynical enthusiasm, there was flair, there was individualism.
Both sets of coaches got enraptured in passion and the crowd was in suspense. The game had tilted in the balance of Carryduff but in these tournaments, it is very hard to protect a lead. It still took an audacious score from Bredagh to level the match and without a moment’s hesitation, the long whistle sounded to leave the game ending in stalemate and transpired to allow our neighbours to advance instead of us.
The wry prankster we call luck has the answer or as the French say “C’est la vie”.
Winning this Feile would have been massive but as much about winning things, this will stand these players in good stead going forward. All the group had meaningful contributions. When the camogie started out in Carryduff, it was more rudimentary than now whereas the players now are so much more technically correct.
The coaches (they know who they are) have taught these players to play proper camogie, everything they coach makes sense, is logical and they do it with every reserve of energy they have. They learn them useful lessons for life and there is a lot more to come.
On the way home, the future was the full focus of discussion. The players will get refuelled and be better.
The panel of players involved were;’
Abigail, Annie, Aoibhe, Aoife G, Aoife McG, Caitlin B, Caitlin F, Caitriona, Caoimhe D, Cara, Eadaoin, Ellie, Emily, Emma, Erin, Evie, Fiona, Jessica, Katie, Olivia, Orla and Sophia.
The supporters are not here to compete in wandering car navigation rallies on the highways and byways, they want the players to do well and for themselves as well.
Footnote: Congratulations to Bredagh who went on to win the Division 1 for the second year in a row which is no mean feat. Best wishes to them in the All Ireland Competition later on. They have an abundance of talent.
Well done to all the other winners.
Thanks to Down Camogie and Mayobridge for all their work in organising this very well run event. It was a special day.
