The annual Co. Wicklow camogie convention was held in the I.N.F. Hall. Delgany. on Sunday, 24th Feb.Mrs. C. M. O Broin. who presided said that another year in the annals of camoguidheachi in Co. Wicklow had passed, and while they could not claim to have made great progress, ‘they could indeed claim to have held their own. There was a comparatively strong organisation about 30 years ago, but it faded out in the early thirties, and it was only in the past, dozen years that the present organisation took shape. They had improved their position year by year, and had always fulfilled their inter-county fixtures. Many of the Dublin players they met in Ashford last August, admitted they were very lucky to win, and the greatest player of them all expressed the opinion that they only won by a fluke. Dublin defeated Meath in the Leinsier final, won the All-Ireland semi-final, and had an easy triumph over Antrim in the All Ireland. On the other side of the ledger they had done none too well. Teams were lackadaisical in fulfilling their fixtures, and while there was great crowd, when they met Dublin in Ashford, attendances at their own competitions were sparse, with the result that they got no “gates” and their finances were very low, so that players and officials had to pay their own way to inter-county matches, and to meetings of higher bodies, but they would not worry about this if they had sufficient funds to develop the game in the county. She appealed to the delegates, the clubs and supporters to change all that. She believed if they got co-operation they’d go far this year. If they got the competitions going at once, the selectors would soon get to know their best players and she was confident they could reach the All Ireland Final, and probably win it.
Secretary’s Report
The Secretary reported that those who were at the last annual meeting would remember that their balance sheet showed the unique position that they had neither assets nor liabilities, and so they were able to make a clean start financially this year. Last year they got into the Leinster final, defeating Meath and Wexford on the way, and were beaten by Dublin in the Leinster final. Dublin, of course, won the All-Ireland, so they were no worse than any other county, and better than the majority.
In 1951 they were drawn against Wexford in the first game and agreed to play them in Wexford Park, but Wexford changed the venue to a place called St. Leonards which they told them was a few miles outside Wexford town, but when they got there, they found it was nearer twenty-five miles. They triumphed over Wexford. Within a week to their amazement’ they learned that Wexford had lodged an objection, on the grounds they were late and to their further, amazement the Chairman of the Leinster Council upheld the objection and awarded the match to Wexford. They appealed to the Central Council who awarded them the match. The objection and appeal caused a long delay, with the result that both Councils insisted that the final be played in three days’ time and they met Dublin in Ashford the following Wednesday before a record crowd who saw the best Camogie match ever seen in Wicklow and one of the best in Ireland, Dublin just beating them. They were short of K. Douglas, who was injured in a previous game, and was unable to field out. Had they been given a little more time she would have been fit, but her inability to play lost them the match, and Dublin went on to add another in their long list of Leinster and All-Ireland championships.
They entered for the special Leinster League, and so far had a good victory over a strong Laois team at Mountrath, and also triumphed over Meath after a hard match at Ashford, and on that in a double League, Laois would have to come to play them in Wicklow and they (Wickiow) would go to Meath. It was understood Wexford was still in it and that meant a home and away match. Louth and C’arlow entered but withdrew. If they can overcome Meath next time, and they were four points, they should win the league, as Dublin stood down. Of course, that all depended on getting their own competitions going immediately as the old adage has it that ” practice makes perfect.” so that they would have to arrange that day to get their competitions going. If possible, they should make some fixtures so that they could get the competition going in March.
All the competitions referred to put a big financial strain on the officials and it was only by the help of Ceilidthe they were able to pay for transport by special bus to Dublin, Laois and Wexford, and they were left with no time to organise more clubs or to finish their league. They were only honorary officials and they appealed to delegates to assist not only in keeping their own clubs alive and active, but helping to organise clubs in their areas.
Officers For 1952—Cathaoirleach. Bean C. M. O’Broin; Leas-Cathaoirleach Mrs. McElheron; Runaí agus Cistoir, Maire Nich Charthaig. Claraihoir. Caitlin ni Dhubhghlais.
