Three Cahalane sisters start senior game together for Cork

BOTH Cork camogie teams are in prime position to qualify for the knock-out stages of the senior and intermediate All-Ireland championships.

With two games played the intermediate side have six points and one more win should see them qualify from the group.

The senior side have won their three opening games and with two to go are already guaranteed a quarter-final spot. If they top the group they should go straight to the semi-final.

One of the key players this season is Meabh Cahalane, who has taken over the full-back spot from the injured Libby Coppinger. Libby was injured a few weeks ago, just before the championship started, and Meabh moved from the corner to full-back and has slotted in seamlessly.

She was a key player again in their win over Clare, as she played her part in keeping their opponents to just 1-4 over the hour, with three of those points from frees.

Alongside Meabh was her sister Gráinne and in attack was another of the Cahalane family, Orlaith.

It was the first time that the three sisters started a senior camogie game for Cork together. It was the first time in some time that three sisters all started for Cork and it was something that Meabh said they were delighted to do, but more importantly happy to get the points and stay top of the table.

“I think the most important thing was getting the result. I suppose we wanted to go after our performance as well after such a such a good one against Down. I think we played really well for spells, especially in the first half and,” said Meabh.

We brought in a few then in the second-half and they injected a bit of energy into our play again.” 

Speaking on starting with two of her sisters for the first time Meabh added: “We didn't think about it too much going into the game because we're just so focused on the game. But you know it's lovely to get the chance to play with the two of them and hopefully we will have many more days to come playing together.” 

Meanwhile the Camogie Association unveiled its 120th anniversary commemorative jerseys at Croke Park.

Unveiling the jerseys to coincide with the association’s 120 year anniversary was Brian Molloy, president of the Camogie Association.

The first official camogie match after the formation of the Camogie Association was played on July 17, 1904, between Dublin clubs Keatings and Cúchulainns. To mark this milestone, Camán to 120 Commemorative blitzes will take place at Páirc Tailteann in Meath, McHale Park in Mayo and The Gaelic Grounds in Limerick on July 17, where more than 3,000 U12 players will participate throughout the day.

This launch kicks off an exciting period of celebration for the association which will see further activity at the All-Ireland finals in August, a gala dinner this summer as well as club camogie celebration days later in the year.

Speaking at the launch, Molloy said: “Our UNESCO recognised national sport of camogie has been played in Ireland back through the mists of time but 2024 is a particularly big year for the association as we celebrate 120 years since our formation as a national governing body.

We are sure that our members in Ireland and indeed across the world will love the commemorative jerseys and I urge as many as possible to wear it with pride over the course of this season. 

"We would like to take the opportunity to thank O’Neill’s for working with us to produce such a high quality product for this great occasion.” 

The jersey prices start from €35 for children and €75 for adults. The jerseys, in two bespoke designs, are manufactured by O’Neill’s, and are available to purchase now from this link: https://www.oneills.com/shop-by-team/gaa-county/camogie.html.