Sep 25, 2019
As part of European Week of Sport, Cara in conjunction with Sport Ireland coordinated a day of inclusion training at the Kerry Sports Academy for the network of Sport Inclusion Disability Officers based in the 29 Local Sports Partnerships nationwide. They were also joined by a dedicated team of Cara tutors who deliver over 100 inclusion workshops nationwide.
The inclusion training was facilitated by two international leaders in Inclusive Sport and Physical Activity. Dr Lynn Anderson is a Distinguished Service Professor in the Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies Department at State University of New York at Cortland, and the director for the Inclusive Recreation Resource Center. She has been active in the field of therapeutic recreation, inclusion, and outdoor recreation for over 40 years. Dr. Lauren Liebermann, is currently a Distinguished Service Professor at The College at Brockport, State University of New York, and teaching adapted physical education. She is the leading authority in the world on physical activity and sports for children who are blind or visually impaired.
Speaking at the training day Cara CEO, Niamh Daffy said: “We are delighted to have both Dr Lynn Anderson and Dr Lauren Lieberman here with us today to further upskill the network Sports Inclusion Disability Officers and Cara Tutors who are all doing fantastic work at community level to bring about more inclusive practice with the aim of increasing sport and physical activity participation opportunities for people with disabilities. ”
More information can be found at www.caracentre.ie or by contacting Michael Gilroy at mgilroy@caracentre.ie.
Ends.
Sep 25, 2019
There was a record-breaking day on September 8th along with three thrilling Finals as new winners were crowned across all three grades in front of a record crowd of 24,730.
Kerry got the day off to a start with a bang as they claimed the Premier Junior crown for the very first time, in what has been a remarkable rise over the last decade for the Kingdom. Midfielder Patrice Diggin was the star of the show as she drove her team on to see off a valiant effort by Limerick, eventually beating them by 0-11 to 0-8.
The Intermediate Final then saw Galway face Westmeath and it was the Leinster side that prevailed having overhauled what looked like a seemingly unassailable lead of seven points for the Tribeswomen at half-time. Spurred on by stalwart Pamela Greville they roared back in the second-half to claim their maiden Intermediate title and seal promotion to Senior Camogie in 2020 by a scoreline of 1-11 to 1-9.
The main event more than lived up to expectations as Galway produced a barnstorming performance including three stunning goals to eventually beat Kilkenny by 3-14 to 0-17 to claim only their third Senior All-Ireland title and their first since 2013. In a high-scoring affair Galway led for much of the game but it wasn’t until the closing minutes that they finally put the tie beyond doubt. An electric performance from the experienced Niamh Kilkenny in midfield was key in their attacking display as she caused problems for Kilkenny all afternoon.
The final act of the day was therefore for captain Sarah Dervan to collect the O’Duffy Cup on the steps of the Hogan Stand as it began its journey west across the Shannon!
Sep 25, 2019
Irish Horses and riders have recorded an incredible result today (Sunday) at the FEI WBFSH Show Jumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses at Lanaken in Belgium, taking home two Gold and two Silver medals. It was a spectacular performance from the Irish to claim four of the nine World Championship medals on offer.
Carlow’s Jason Foley and The Irish Sport Horse Rockwell RC, bred by Ronan Byrne and owned by Kevin Crumley, claimed Ireland’s first medal of the day when they struck Gold in the final for 5-year-old horses, while Kildare’s Mikey Pender and Chacco Bay collected the Silver. Eleven combinations had jumped clear in the opening round to set up a thrilling jump-off, with Foley taking the title with a double clear round in 37.72 seconds, just under half a second ahead of Pender in runner-up spot. The result came just 12 months after Irish riders took Gold, Silver and Bronze in the 5-year-old final at the same Championships in 2018.
Foley, who is just 18-years-old, admitted that he was struggling a bit with his steering in the jump-off, but for a very good reason.
“I dislocated my shoulder three weeks ago in a fall. I didn’t actually think that I could make it here, so I hope the hospital doesn’t see this, but I thought, let’s try it and I was lucky that it went OK!”
The 6-year-old final saw Mikey Pender add to his tally, when he collected another Silver medal with MHS Cardenta, finishing just a tenth of a second off the winners time. Kilkenny’s Vincent Byrne also claimed an excellent seventh place finish with Be Aware (ISH).
More medals were to follow in the curtain-closing 7-year-old final, with Kilkenny’s Seamus Hughes-Kennedy, who is just 17-years-old, and Cuffesgrange Cavadora (ISH), bred by Eamonn Sheahan, taking the winners prize when last to go in the jump-off to complete a brilliant World Championships for Irish Sport Horse breeding.
“Last year Cavadaro finished fourth in the 6-Year-Old Final with Ger O’Neill in the saddle. They were clear and in the lead until the last few competitors but just missed out on a medal, so I’m very pleased we’ve earned gold today,” said the talented young Irish rider. The future is already mapped out for this winning pair it seems. “We’re going for European Junior Gold next year!” said the rider’s mother, Clare Hughes, who also owns the winning horse.
Horse Sport Ireland CEO Ronan Murphy added:
“This has been a memorable World Breeding Championships for our horses and riders. To take home two gold and two silver medals against the best young horses in the world is another huge boost for the Irish Sport Horse industry. I want to congratulate all our riders, owners and of course the breeders of all our horses and the entire team who represented Ireland brilliantly at these Championships this week.”
BREEDING
Rockwell RC (ISH) F by Kannan (KWPN) out of Urban Sea (ISH) by Guidam (SF) bred by Ronan Byrne owned by Kevin Crumley ridden by Jason Foley.
Chacco Bay (OLDBG) by Chaccato out of Heops. Owner: Hiltrup Sporthorses GmbH. Breeder: Alfons Brueggehagen Ridden by Michael Pender
MHS Cardenta (ISH) F by Cardento (HOLST) out of Willow Point (ISH) by Diamond Serpent (ISH) bred by Thomas Brennan owned by Bravo Hughes Ltd ridden by Michael James Pender.
Be Aware (ISH) by Pacino (BWP) out of Warrenstown Well Aware (ISH) by Cruising (ISH) bred & owned by Ronan Tynan and ridden by Vincent Byrne
Cuffesgrange Cavadora (ISH) by Z Wellie 72 (KWPN) out of Cuffesgrange Cavalidam (ISH) by Luidam (KWPN) bred by Eamonn Sheahan, Owned by Clare Hughes, Ridden by Seamus Hughes Kennedy.
Sep 25, 2019
Baton Twirling Sport Association of Ireland
In August the BTSAI sent seventy one athletes to the International Cup Baton Twirling competition in Limoges, France. This event covers a total of seven disciplines with some of the sections having 80 contestants hoping to place in the first ten.
We are very proud of all our athletes making it into semis, finals and bringing home a total of eight medals. Four Gold, Two Silver and Two bronze.
Nineteen countries competed in this event with a total of 1,112 athletes and five thousand performances over four days of competition.
Well done Ireland!
Sep 25, 2019
Three Irish Women’s teams finished in the Top 8 of the Small Countries Association Senior Championships in Perth, Scotland over the weekend. The results signifying positive progress as Volleyball Ireland looks to increase participation and improve performance on the International stage.
The top ranked pairing of Miriam Gormally & Alex Graves came agonisingly close to a podium finish losing the 3rd place playoff match to the tournament and home favourites Lynne Beattie and Melissa Coutts. The first set was evenly poised at 16 a piece before three errors on the bounce allowed the Scottish pair to take control. The 2nd set was much of the same with several Irish attacks falling the wrong side of the tape. Cheered on by the vociferous home crowd the top seeds ran out winners 21-17, 21-13.
The Yiassoumi sisters of Cyprus had earlier defeated Ireland in the Semi Finals (21-12, 21-14) to setup a winner takes all v Iceland.
Commenting on the tournament Graves said, “it was really great to get back on the sand representing Ireland after the Continental Cup in June. All four teams battled really well and to get three in the top 8 is a good sign.”
Earlier on, Gormally & Graves beat fellow Girls in Green Marie Claire Sabogal and Fiona Lamont 21-14, 21-17. The match showing the competitive, yet friendly spirit of the Irish squad – although it did cause an agonising conflict of interest for Head Coach Luciana Hollanda, who took charge of all 4 competing teams.
Both teams cruised in to the Quarters with Gormally & Graves topping Pool B, before Sabogal and Lamont despatched of third seeds Emma Patterson & Lucy Kavanagh-Dick from Northern Ireland in one of the standout performances of the tournament in the round of 12 (21-17,21-17).
Also representing Ireland and taking home a credible joint 5th were Roisin Roantree and Volleyball Ireland Board Member Regina Halpin. Playing as a pair for the first time, the diminutive duo impressed with wins over NI’s Montgomery and Scott (21-9, 21-12) in the Pools before beating team mates Emily Frazell and Orla Lynch (21-7, 21-11) in the Round of 12. Their tournament ended with defeat to eventual winners Elisabeth Einasdottir and Berglind Jonsdottir (21-2, 21-5).
The competition was a debut on the sand for Emily Frazell, who joined the Irish setup in May as part of the SCA Indoor team that visited Luxembourg. Lynch was also donning the Green Vest for first time, and the debutants return home with their first Intl scalp after a victory over Rankin/Blair of Scotland (21-11, 21-13).
The Beach season now wraps up with the attentions off the court as the Association looks to gain Sports Capital Grant funding to develop the first Inland court in Ireland, whilst supporting the implementation of permanent posts on beaches across the country.
Full Results IRELAND
Rd Day Time Court Team 1 Team 2 Result
Pool Friday 12:10 2 Montgomery/Smith NIR Roantree/Halpin IRL 0-2 (8-21, 12-21)
Pool Friday 12:10 1 Graves/Gormally IRL Kelly/Richardson SCO 2-0 (21-8, 21-6)
Pool Friday 13:00 1 Sabogal/Lamont IRL Morrison/Waldie SCO 1-2 (21-18, 10-21, 6-15)
Pool Friday 13:50 2 Yiasoumi/Yiasoumi CYP Frazell/Lynch IRL 0-2 (21-9, 21-6)
Pool Friday 17:10 1 Beattie/Coutts SCO Roantree/Halpin IRL 2-0 (21-5, 21-10)
Pool Friday 16:20 1 Graves/Gormally IRL Morrison/Waldie SCO 2-0 (21-14, 21-12)
Pool Saturday 10:00 1 Rankin/Blair SCO Frazell/Lynch IRL 0-2 (11-21, 13-21)
Pool Saturday 10:00 2 Sabogal/Lamont IRL Kelly/Richardson SCO 2-0 (21-6, 21-8)
Rd of 12 Saturday 14:10 2 Sabogal/Lamont IRL Patterson/Dick-Kavanagh NIR 2-0 (21-17, 21-17)
Rd of 12 Saturday 13:20 2 Frazell/Lynch IRL Roantree/Halpin IRL 0-2 (7-21, 11-21)
QF Saturday 17:30 1 Sabogal/Lamont IRL Graves/Gormally IRL 0-2 (14-21, 17-21)
QF Saturday 16:40 1 Einarsdottir/Jonsdottir ICE Roantree/Halpin IRL 2-0 (21-2, 21-5)
SF Sunday 10:00 1 Graves/Gormally IRL Yiassoumi/ Yiassoumi CYP 0-2 (12-21, 14-21)
3rd Place Sunday 12:00 1 Beattie/Coutts SCO Graves/Gormally IRL 2-0 (21-17, 21-13)
Sep 25, 2019
Galway lead shortlist for 2019 Camogie All-Stars Awards nominations
All-Ireland champions Galway lead the Camogie All-Stars Awards 2019 shortlist. The final team will be announced at the 16th annual Camogie All-Stars Awards banquet, sponsored by Liberty Insurance in Citywest Hotel on Saturday October 19th. This year’s winning team will also have the added incentive of the second All-Stars Tour to New York in November to look forward to, where they will be joined by the 2018 winners as well.
Galway receive 14 nominations. Goalkeeper Sarah Healy and defenders Heather Cooney, Sarah Dervan, Shauna Healy, Emma Helebert, Tara Kenny and Lorraine Ryan are amongst the nominees for the Tribeswomen. Aoife Donohue and Niamh Kilkenny are nominated at midfield, whilst Noreen Coen, Catriona Cormican, Carrie Dolan, Niamh Hanniffy and Ailish O’Reilly are nominated amongst the forwards.
Runners-up Kilkenny receive 13 nominations. Goalkeeper Emma Kavanagh and defenders Kellyann Doyle, Catherine Foley, Edwina Keane, Claire Phelan and Grace Walsh are amongst the nominees. Meighan Farrell and Davina Tobin have been nominated in midfield whilst Anne Dalton, Denise Gaule, Katie Power, Michelle Quilty and Miriam Walsh are all nominated in the forwards positions.
Tipperary receive nine nominations as a result of their run to this year’s Semi-Finals. Goalkeeper Caoimhe Bourke and defenders Julianne Bourke, Karen Kennedy, Eimear Loughman and Clodagh Quirke are joined by midfielder Mary Ryan and forwards Cáit Devane, Ereena Fryday and Eibhlís McDonald on the nominations list.
Cork receive four nominations having exited the Championship at the hands of eventual champions Galway in the Semi-Finals. Defenders Hannah Looney and Pamela Mackey receive nominations along with forwards Linda Collins and Amy O’Connor.
Waterford, who reached this year’s Quarter-Finals before also losing to Galway have four nominations as well. Lorraine Bray is nominated in defence and Áine Lyng is nominated in midfield. Forwards Beth Carton and Niamh Rockett also receive nominations.
Limerick, who reached the knockout stages for the first time this year, have one nomination in the form of their top scorer Niamh Mulcahy.
Ian Brick (Kerry), Johnny Greville (Westmeath) and Cathal Murray (Galway) are amongst the nominees for Manager of the Year, which will also be announced on the night. Each of them was successful in leading their sides to All-Ireland glory this year.
President of the Camogie Association Kathleen Woods congratulated the nominees stating that “2019 was another exceptional year in the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Championships and the upcoming All-Stars Awards will celebrate some of the outstanding individual performers who contributed greatly to a thoroughly enjoyable summer in what was a great showcase for our game. An All-Stars Award nomination recognises the outstanding achievements of our players and it is truly deserving for these tremendous role models to receive such recognition for their efforts. I wish to thank our sponsors Liberty Insurance for their continued sponsorship of the Camogie All-Stars Awards and the 2019 All-Stars Tour to New York, which will add even greater excitement to a wonderful night on October 19th.”
Speaking on behalf of Liberty Insurance, Stuart Trotter said: “The Camogie All-Stars Awards celebrate the outstanding performances of the players who have helped to light up this year’s Championship. The skill, commitment and athleticism demonstrated by these players has elevated them to the very pinnacle of their sport. Their All-Stars nominations is deserved recognition for these same performances.
“Our ‘Camogie Made Us’ campaign, launched in July, focused on the important role Camogie coaches play in the development of players at grassroots level.
“The nominations we received articulated not only the skills being taught to the players by their coaches, but also the off-the-pitch guidance and mentoring they are providing to players on a more human level. This includes mindfulness programmes and social media awareness workshops, amongst other initiatives.
“Each of our Camogie All-Star nominees can attest to the pivotal role their coaches have played in helping them to get to where they are today. As our attention now turns towards the All-Stars Tour to New York in November, we wish each of our nominees the very best of luck on October 19th.”
The nominees for the 2019 Soaring Stars Awards for the Intermediate and Premier Junior Championships will be announced later this week.
Nominees for the Camogie Association/WGPA Senior, Intermediate and Junior Players’ Player of the Year Awards sponsored by Liberty Insurance will be announced next week.
Camogie All-Stars Awards 2019 sponsored by Liberty Insurance, nominees list:
Goalkeepers: Caoimhe Bourke (Tipperary), Emma Kavanagh (Kilkenny), Sarah Healy (Galway)
Full-Back Line: Julianne Bourke (Tipperary), Sarah Dervan (Galway), Catherine Foley (Kilkenny), Shauna Healy (Galway), Edwina Keane (Kilkenny), Tara Kenny (Galway), Eimear Loughman (Tipperary), Pamela Mackey (Cork), Grace Walsh (Kilkenny)
Half-Back Line: Lorraine Bray (Waterford), Heather Cooney (Galway), Kellyann Doyle (Kilkenny), Emma Helebert (Galway), Karen Kennedy (Tipperary), Hannah Looney (Cork), Claire Phelan (Kilkenny), Clodagh Quirke (Tipperary), Lorraine Ryan (Galway)
Midfield: Aoife Donohue (Galway), Meighan Farrell (Kilkenny), Niamh Kilkenny (Galway), Áine Lyng (Waterford), Mary Ryan (Tipperary), Davina Tobin (Kilkenny)
Half-Forward Line: Anne Dalton (Kilkenny), Carrie Dolan (Galway), Ereena Fryday (Tipperary), Denise Gaule (Kilkenny), Eibhlís McDonald (Tipperary), Niamh Mulcahy (Limerick), Amy O’Connor (Cork), Katie Power (Kilkenny), Niamh Rockett (Waterford)
Full-Forward Line: Beth Carton (Waterford), Noreen Coen (Galway), Linda Collins (Cork), Catriona Cormican (Galway), Cáit Devane (Tipperary), Niamh Hanniffy (Galway), Ailish O’Reilly (Galway), Michelle Quilty (Kilkenny), Miriam Walsh (Kilkenny)
Manager of the Year 2019 sponsored by Liberty Insurance, nominees list:
Ian Brick (Kerry), Johnny Greville (Westmeath), Cathal Murray (Galway)
ENDS
