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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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.
Over the past four 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 a senior team for the first time since our reformation.
After the magnificent performances of our U16s last year we
are looking forward to participating at senior level. |
