The Forming & Demise of the Méabh's (1919 - 1945)

In 1919 Méabh O'Neill's camogie club was formed. During the 1920's the club seemed to stop and start and there is very little information available.

In 1940 they took part in the recently formed Newry & District league. They appear to have done quite well. In 1941 they were beaten by 1 point in the final of the County Camogie Championship.

By 1942 the effects of the second world war were being felt in South Armagh. As a result the G.A.A. went into serious decline. Camogie, however, did quite well and Méabh O'Neill's kept the flag flying. Clora Fearon and Rosie Sheeran were selected for the county team.

In 1943 Méabhs reached the final of the Newry and District league and in 1944 they reached the final of the South Armagh championship. Towards the end of 1944 a number of players broke away from Shane O'Neills to form Carrickcruppen. Over the next few years the Méabhs were also hit with defections to Carrickcruppen which eventually led to the demise of the Méabhs.

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The Reformation (2001 - Present)

In 2001 camogie was reintroduced into St Malachy's P.S. By June of that year they were All County 9-a-side champions. Camogie fever was back in the village. A group of parents got together and approached Shane O'Neill's. In the summer of 2001 Méabh O'Neill's was reformed. In 2002 Méabhs registered a primary & under 14 team in the Armagh league & championship. After being together for nearly a year the girls eagerly awaited their first competitive games. What a great year it has turned out to be! There were very few wins for these young and inexperienced players but that didn't matter. The girls were thoroughly enjoying themselves.

In 2003 an under 16 team was also registered in the Armagh league and championship. Membership continued to increase. The first piece of silverware arrived at the club when the primary team won the Division 2 Primary League. Fionnuala Bradley captained the Under 14 county team and was named Under 14 County Player of the Year.

In 2004 the club fielded 3 teams again and this time it was the turn of the U14s to bring the silverware to the club, winning the Division 3 U14 League. Claire O'Boyle and Louise Keatings were part of the county team who won the U14 Ulster Blitz.

In 2005 membership continued to increase so much so that an U8 team was formed. Our primary team recaptured the Division 2 Primary League and our U12s captured the South Armagh 7s title for the first time. Fionnuala Bradley and Aoibheann Doyle were part of the County Minor team who were beaten by Offaly in the All Ireland B final.

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Last Season (2010)

The Méabh O'Neills camogie club continued to field teams at various age groups throughout 2010, with their primary team winning their league competition in early July. It was a great season for this group of players as they won all their league games and only conceded three goals thoughout their league campaign.

The club had further reason to celebrate when Orlaigh Kearns picked up an Ulster All Star award for her performances for the Sacred Heart Grammar School, Newry.

The club also had three players - Gemma McKeown, Orlaigh Kearns and Cliodhna McAteer - who represented Armagh Under 18's and who were eventually beaten in the All-Ireland final.

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Over the years, with a lot of hard work and dedication from a small group, we have seen our club grow stronger. This year we find ourselves in the enviable position of being able to enter teams right up to Senior Level.