Page 38 - 2020ClareCamogieBoardAGM

Clare Camogie Chairperson’s Address to Convention 2020

As we set out at the start of the year we were looking forward with some excitement to the
ever improving standard of our County teams across all grades, to the desired improvements in
Fr. McNamara Park, and exciting Club Leagues and Championships.

The year started well with our Senior and Premium Junior teams getting some great wins in the
National Leagues, and our Minor team winning the Munster Championship.

Alas, it was all to change. The Covid-19 pandemic struck the country and all activities were shut
down from March. Our Club Leagues were an immediate casualty, as were National Leagues;
none of these competitions were to be reinstated, to the disappointment of everybody. Worse
still, all training was stopped and players at all standards and ages were left without their
favourite pastime. This situation was to continue deep into Summer.

To the eternal credit of all, managers, mentors, players, huge efforts were made to maintain
communication and training routines.

A special thanks to the Senior panel and mentors who set out during the lockdown to raise
funds for charity in an act of generosity that resulted in almost €6,000 being raised. That act
alone shows that these players are not only dedicated in their efforts to perform at the highest
standards in Camogie, but also are well-grounded in recognizing the needs of those less
fortunate.

Eventually, when play resumed the Camogie Association make a ground-breaking decision to
permit the Club Championships to be played uninterrupted by National Championships, and
also stipulated that county teams could not train collectively until 14th September. As a result
our Fixtures Committee organized our Championships very effectively, and we had very
successful competitions in the best of weather. I would like to thank all Clubs for their co-
operation in getting through all the fixtures.

T this point I would like to thank all broadcast and print local media for their coverage of our
games. This year saw a new development in the very successful live streaming of games,
bringing Camogie to an ever widening audience.

The Senior and Premium Junior All-Ireland Championships followed, but again Covid-19 struck.
The Junior team was cruelly prevented by an Ard Chomhairle decision from completing their
championship. To say this was a huge disappointment is an understatement. My heart goes out
to the management and players, as they had put in a huge effort in a difficult year, and it was
just ripped away from them.
The Senior team were able to complete their championship and I think we were all very happy
for them that they reached the Quarter Final of the All-Ireland. That is a very important