'We're buzzing': Camogie team meet-and-greet visit is a hit with young fans

Sun, 04 Aug, 2024 - 17:32

Rachel Lysaght

A Cork GAA club hosted a family-friendly meet-and-greet with the All-Ireland final-bound intermediate camogie team this weekend.

The grounds at Aghabullogue GAA Club were buzzing with excitement as children flocked to the field in droves, looking to get their jerseys, helmets, and hurleys signed by their favourite local players.

Cork Intermediate camogie player Avril Cashman (Youghal) with young players at Aghabullogue GAA Club at Coachford, for a meet and greet session with the Cork intermediate camogie team on Saturday August 3.rd 2024. Pic Larry Cummins

Speaking to The Echo, Aghabullogue GAA club member Emma Flanagan, who plays as a corner back, said: “It’s unbelievable; there’s so many kids here today.

“It’s absolutely class for Aghabullogue — when I was underage, we never had this.

Cork Intermediate camogie players Lucy Allen (Sars), Niamh O'Leary (Brian Dillons) and Tara McCarthy (Glen Rovers) were busy signing hurleys for young players at Aghabullogue GAA Club at Coachford, during the meet and greet session with the Cork intermediate camogie team on Saturday August 3.rd 2024. Pic Larry Cummins

“There was never Cork players from the club really but now there’s three of us on the intermediate team, [so] you can see Aghabullogue is really going from strength to strength.”

Fellow corner back and Aghabullogue GAA Club member Aoife Barrett said: “I was delighted coming here today; it’s brilliant.

2yo Lauren McCarthy wearing a no 4 jersey to match her aunt, Emma Flanagan at Aghabullogue GAA Club at Coachford, during the meet and greet session with the Cork intermediate camogie team on Saturday August 3.rd 2024. Pic Larry Cummins

“Your club is where you start, your club is your home, so it was great to bring the other girls here and meet all the kids.

“I know so many of them — it’s great to see familiar faces.”

Further supporting this sentiment was wing-back and Aghabullogue GAA Club member Meadhbh Ring.

Cork and Aghabullogue player Meadhbh Ring with young supporters at Coachford, during the meet and greet session with the Cork intermediate camogie team on Saturday August 3.rd 2024. Pic Larry Cummins

“I’ve actually been looking forward to this all week,” she said. “It’s great to see all the locals.

“They’re all our neighbours, and the smallies too, because they look up to us.

Cork players Niamh O'Leary, Ciara Hurley, Lauren Homan (captain) and Cliona O'Callaghan with young supporters at Aghabullogue GAA Club at Coachford, during the meet and greet session with the Cork intermediate camogie team on Saturday August 3.rd 2024. Pic Larry Cummins

“It’s great for the camogie club as well.

“It’s nice to have them come down here and support us.”

Meadhbh Ring with young fan Caragh MacSweeney at Aghabullogue GAA Club at Coachford, during the meet and greet session with the Cork intermediate camogie team on Saturday August 3.rd 2024. Pic Larry Cummins

Set to compete on August 11 against Kilkenny at Croke Park, the team were full of anticipation ahead of the match, with team captain and centre forward Lauren Homan of Brian Dillon’s GAA Club saying that meeting local Cork children brings “a nice energy” to their lead-up.

“The support we’ve gotten this year has been brilliant, definitely the best to date,” she said.

Cork and Aghabullogue player Aoife Barrett with young supporters Katie Ross and Kaitlyn Conway at Aghabullogue GAA Club at Coachford, during the meet and greet session with the Cork intermediate camogie team on Saturday August 3.rd 2024. Pic Larry Cummins

“You need your support at the end of day, so having the little kids come out with their parents, and even little boys coming out too, which is a bit of a change, it’s brilliant for camogie.

“We’re buzzing,” she said.

2yo Lauren McCarthy wearing a no 4 jersey to match her aunt, Emma Flanagan with (from left) Olivia McAllen, Laura Doyle, Tara McCarthy, Emma Flanagan, Avril Cashman and Hannah O'leary at Aghabullogue GAA Club at Coachford, during the meet and greet session with the Cork intermediate camogie team on Saturday August 3.rd 2024. Pic Larry Cummins

Three games take place at Croke Park in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Camogie Finals this Sunday.

First up is the meeting of Laois and Tipperary in the premier junior final at 1pm. Cork’s intermediates then take on Kilkenny at 3pm, and the seniors are up against Galway in their decider at 5.15pm.