All About Cork: Camogie side to make Croker history for Ballincollig

Tue, 09 Dec, 2025 - 06:55

Donal O’Keeffe

Ballincollig Camogie Club has already made history this season, earning its place in the All-Ireland Intermediate Club final, and this Sunday it will become the first Ballincollig camogie team ever to play at Croke Park.

Michelle Finnerty, chairperson of the club, told The Echo that making the final marked a proud moment for the club’s players, families, and the entire community.

“Following on from recent county and Munster final successes, this achievement highlights the extraordinary dedication, commitment and spirit of our players and their management team over the past number of years,” she said.

“This All-Ireland final is a celebration of Ballincollig camogie and our wider club community and an opportunity to participate in one of the most exciting camogie events of the year in Croke Park.

“The players have worked tirelessly to reach this stage, and we hope they enjoy the experience of playing in Croke Park and share this experience with the wider club community who plan to attend.”

Reflecting on the forthcoming game, intermediate team manager Mike O’Brien said the club was proud to represent its community on the biggest stage in club camogie.

“This group has shown unbelievable commitment, resilience, and heart all season.

“Reaching the All-Ireland final in Croke Park is a special achievement, and we’re fully focused on delivering a performance worthy of the Ballincollig supporters who have been behind us every step of the way,” he said.

Linda Dorgan, captain of Ballincollig Camogie Club, said every player dreamed of reaching an All-Ireland final.

“It’s a privilege to captain this incredible group of players.

“What makes this team so special is the blend of youth and experience – our younger players bring energy and fearlessness, while our more mature players offer leadership and calmness,” she said.

“That balance has been one of our greatest strengths. Our management team has supported us brilliantly and created an environment where everyone can thrive, and our families and the club has lifted us every step of the way this year.

“We’re proud to represent Ballincollig and ready to give it everything on the day.”

The All-Ireland Intermediate Club final takes place at 2pm in Croke Park on Sunday, December 14, and will see Ballincollig take on Camross from Co Laois.

Tickets are available at www.camogie.ie.

Theatre Christmas party

The Pyke Theatre group is holding its special Christmas get-together at Ballincollig Rugby Club in Tanner Park this evening, Tuesday, December 9, at 8pm. All are welcome to an evening of music, song, drama and dancing.

This month, the group hopes to revive its popular talent competition, which it promises will be reminiscent of various singing competitions held during the 1980s and 1990s.

The first half of the evening will be dedicated to showcasing local talent, while the remainder of night will be about relaxing and enjoying the entertainment ahead of the festive season.

Prizes will be awarded to the best entry. Entries can be made on the night or, alternatively, by contacting pyketheatre@gmail.com.

Admission is free and the group will be selling raffle tickets at the door on the night, with a promise of spot prizes. As always, there will be hot food and a cup of tea served.

Tidy Towns volunteers sought

Bishopstown Tidy Towns is seeking new volunteers to help out in tidying up the area every Saturday morning.

Most weekends see volunteers hard at work planting and adding colour to the area.

First established in 2016, Bishopstown Tidy Towns has been entering the Supervalu TidyTowns competition since then.

Membership is open to all residents in the Bishopstown, Wilton, part of Glasheen, and the Model Farm Road areas.

The group currently has approximately 68 Tidy Towns volunteers, and from that it has a regular core of about 20. More volunteers are always needed and the group offers a welcome to all new members.

Bishopstown Tidy Towns meets at 1pm on Wednesday's in the community garden in Murphy’s Farm and at 9.30am every Saturday morning at The Outpost car park, on the Curraheen Rd, Glasheen, Cork (Eircode: T12 K163).

Most Saturday mornings the volunteers work for about two hours and then gather for refreshments.

The group can be contacted on its Facebook page, by email at bishopstowntidytown@gmail.com, or at 083 4077781.

Stylist Nahomi Lamour and Amelia McNamara, Graceful Accounting at the Network Cork Christmas Party in the Talbot Hotel, Ballincollig.

Curraheen tractor run this Sunday

The Light Up for Cancer Curraheen Christmas Tractor Run, which last year raised more than €30,000 for charity in memory of the late Darragh Ryan, returns this Sunday.

Darragh was 23 years of age and in his final year of college, studying politics, physiology, law and economics in the University of Amsterdam, when he was diagnosed with a rare and incurable form of liposarcoma cancer in May of 2022.

During the eight months that Darragh was ill, his family became acutely aware of the work of organisations such as Breakthrough Cancer Research, and they were grateful for the help of Cork ARC Cancer Support House.

Wanting to raise funds for those charities in Darragh’s name, his family hit upon the idea of a tractor run, setting an initial fundraising target of €15,000, little expecting how successful the venture would ultimately prove.

Last year’s tractor run eventually raised more than twice that amount, and in February Darragh’s family presented matching cheques for €15,545 each to Breakthrough Cancer Research and Cork ARC Cancer Support House.

The tractor run returns this Sunday, following a slightly different route, with an after-dark parade through Ballincollig, a bucket collection, and a rumoured special guest appearance by Santa Claus.

Registration will take place at 2pm in Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium on Sunday, December 14, ahead of a 5pm departure time.

For further information and updates, and to support, please see https://tinyurl.com/39uv267v.

All the monies raised will go to Breakthrough Cancer Research and Cork ARC Cancer Support House.

Ballincollig GAA Club weekly lottery

The numbers drawn in the Ballincollig GAA Club lottery, which was held on Thursday, December 4, were 12, 14, 21, and 32. There was no winner of the €18,600 jackpot, but there were three consolation prize winners for club supporters, with €100 going to Ailis Cronin, €50 to Gearoid O’Flynn, and €50 to Aidan O’Brien.

Ballincollig GAA Club has migrated its lottery to its club platform ClubZap. The new system mirrors the previous one and is played with 36 numbers, and all existing players with remaining credit have been moved across with their same numbers plus their remaining credits.

For further information, see ballincolliggaa.clubzap.com.

The jackpot for this week’s lottery draw, which will take place on this Thursday, December 12, now stands at €18,800.

Special guest in Wilton

Wilton Shopping Centre is reminding people that Santa has taken time out of his busy schedule and will be at the shopping centre in the run-up to Christmas.

Visiting times are: