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Camogie

Club History and Details

 

Formation of the Club

Crossmaglen Rangers Camogie Club was reformed in 1987 by Sheila King and Josephine Gregory. Maura McAvoy became part of its committee shortly after.  Cross were the first camogie club in South Armagh and paved the way for the revival in the area. This revival was helped by the fact that St. Joseph’s High School, Crossmaglen had also started camogie, under the guidance of Rita Carragher.  When the Club was first set up, Armagh County and Ballymacnab players Sally McCone and Mary Donnelly helped out with coaching techniques and it wasn’t long before Cross had established itself as a great club.

Past Success

Since its inception, the club has worked its way up from success at underage level, (primary, post-primary, U14 and U16) and took the Junior and Intermediate Championship. 2002 gave them the Senior Premier League Title but undoubtedly the most memorable year in the club’s history was 2003 when they won the Senior County, Ulster and All-Ireland Junior Championship titles.

Cross’ route to the Ulster Final was an interesting one.  The commenced their campaign by defeating fellow Armagh Club Keady, who had been Ulster Champions for the previous two seasons, in the County Final.  They then progressed further and defeated four times Ulster Club Champions Liatroim Fontenoys in the first round of the Ulster Junior Championship, Tyrone Champions Eglish in the Semi Final and Castletara of Cavan of Cavan in the Final to become Ulster Junior Club Champions.  The girls also went to Kilmacud All Ireland 7’s the following weekend and brought back the Division 2 Shield. 

In the All-Ireland final, they faced Drumcullen of Offaly; a team that, in 2003, had celebrated their 5th Leinster Club Camogie title and their 12th County Senior win in 13 years.  However, Crossmaglen made sure that all this was consigned to history and they lifted the Phil McBride Cup in November 2003.  This being the inaugural year for the cup Crossmaglen not only became the first Armagh Club to win at All Ireland Level and became the first ever All-Ireland Junior Club Champions.

In more recent years Crossmaglen have continued to be successful at senior level, having won the B Championship in 2006 and the Division One League in 2008.  The club also had the honour of hosting the 2009 Armagh Senior and Intermediate Championship Finals.

The clubs underage teams have also continued to perform well in both league and championship competitions throughout the county, having progressed well in primary and post-primary.  2009 saw the club participating in an U14 league for the first time in many years.  It is hoped that over the coming years the club will continue to extend its underage structures. 

The Club at Present

The club has undergone a major rebuilding process in recent years, having to go back to grass roots and only field teams at U8, U10 and U12 in 2011.  However, this proved to be extremely beneficial and now firm foundations are in place for the future. 

In 2012 the club celebrated its 25th anniversary with a very successful year.  They fielded teams at U8, U10, U12, U14, U16 and Senior.  The senior team received championship honours by winning the Armagh ‘B’ Championship.

Now, for the first time in quite a number of years, the club prepare for this season with teams at all age levels within Armagh Camogie.