Laois Camogie Club celebrates 10th anniversary

Last Sunday, September 17 marked the the 10th anniversary of Banríon Gaels Camogie Club. The day was celebrated by over 160 members and parents of the Club, along with invited guests who all gathered in O’Dempsey's GAA Club in Killenard.

Guests on the day included founders Tara Brereton and Stephen Hoary who were core to the start of the club in north Laois. Tara in recent years returned with her family to her native county of Dublin and her club Faughs were invited to compete against Banríon Gaels for the Tara Brereton Perpetual Cup. Both clubs fielded teams from U-10’s to U-16’s with the older team concluding the day with a game of the players v parents.

Back in 2013 after much research, local help and a huge amount of time and effort invested by founding members Tara & Stephen, the club was formed following a ‘Come and Try it’ 5-week programme. Children from Portarlington, Killenard, Emo and surrounding areas were invited to come and play camogie for five weeks. The interest was overwhelming and for Tara with the level of interest carried throughout the five weeks the decision was taken to proceed with the commencement of official training. 

Banríon Gaels have now more than 150 active registered members with players from U-8 to junior level. While still the newest club in Laois, this year we had more than 15 girls line out at county level from U-15 through to minor level and our first All-Ireland medals coming to the club last year.

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"Picking a name for a new club in a parish encompassing so many areas (Portarlington, Killenard & Emo) was not an easy task. Linking all areas eligible to play and taking a bit of history and tradition into account, Laois being the Queens County, the name Banríon Gaels was chosen as the best fit and the crest encompassed the local landmarks of the locality with the Queen centre of the crest.", Tara said.

Club development officer James Holden remarked on the club "In Banríon Gaels Camogie Club our emphasis from an early age is on Fun, Fitness and Friendship while all the time striving to impart important life skills and values to the girls such as teamwork, commitment, and respect for others."

While club Chairman Paul Turley in his address to the crowd on Sunday said, "We would like to say a special thanks to all the parents who have become coaches and members of our committee (past and present), thank you to our local clubs for your continued support; O’Dempseys, Portarlington GAA, St. Conleths, Gracefield GAA, Emo GAA and Courtwood GAA. Thank you also to all our local schools who help facilitate us bringing camogie to the community; Coláiste Íosagáin, St. Patricks B.N.S, Presentation Primary, Scoil Naomh Eoin, Emo National School & The Rath National School."

The club also acknowledged the sponsors over the years and especially this year making our 10-year celebrations possible.