1976–77 National Camogie League

The 1977 National Camogie League was the first to be played in the sport of camogie. It was won by Tipperary who defeated Wexford in a replayed final and became first holders of the AIB Cup, which was presented to Monica Butler by Eddie Keher. Helena O’Neill refereed.^[1]

Structure

Matches commenced in September 1976. Antrim, Dublin, Kilkenny, and Wexford competed in the eastern zone, which was won with Wexford after play-off victories over Dublin and Kilkenny. Tipperary beat Galway 2-3 to 1-4 to win the Western Zone.

Final

The first National League final was staged on a fresh day in Rathnure. Each team scored a goal and a point in the first half, Kit Codd and Eileen O’Gorman for Wexford and Deirdre Lane for Tipperary. Monica Butler at full back for Tipperary, according to the Nenagh Guardian:

“gave an incredible display tirelessly repulsing attack after attack from the sharp-striking Wexford forwards and even when suffering from a painful shoulder injury insisted on staying on to lead her team to fight another day.

Eileen Kehoe scored a goal for Wexford early in the second half and ten minutes from the end Maol Muire Tynan gathered the ball at midfield and set off n a solo run that ended with a memorable goal from an acute angle.

Replay

The replay took place at Semple stadium, with the Upperchurch-Drombane youth band leading the pre match parade. Maol Muire Tynan scored a goal after just 20 seconds, setting the pattern for the game as a confident Tipperary side, despite playing into the breeze kept their rivals under pressure. They had a second goal from Maura Hogan but Wexford kept their hopes alive when Kit Codd scored a goal just before half time. Maol Muire Tynan scored another quick Tipperary goal at the start of the second half and the issue was put beyohjnd doubt shortlay afterwards when Deirdre Lane scored Tipperary’s fourth goal. The Nenagh Guardian reported:

On the day Tipperary were the better side, using the bal intelligently and generally showing greater earnestness in their endeavours.

Aftermath

Maol Muire Tynan later became a successful journalist with the Sunday Press and Sunday Business Post. Liz Howard later went on to become president of the Camogie Association.

Draw March 6 Tipperary 2-1 Wexford 2-1

Tipperary

Wexford

TIPPERARY: GK 1 Noelle Harkins (Drom-Inch) FB 2 Monica Butler (Drom-Inch) (Captain) RWB 3 Mary O'Brien (Portroe) CB 4 Patricia Quigley (St Mary’s Newport-Kilcommon) LWB 5 Siobhan Tynan (Drom-Inch) MF 6 Bernie Feehan (St Bernadette’s Roscrea) MF 7 Deirdre Lane (Celtic) & (Lorrha) 1-1 MF 8 Marion Troy (Celtic) RWF 9 Maol Muire Tynan (Drom-Inch) 1-0 CF 10 Maire Hogan (Portroe) LWF 11 Geraldine Feehan (St Bernadette’s Roscrea) FF 12 Josie Quigley (St Mary’s Newport-Kilcommon) Substitutes: MF Kathleen Tynan (Drom-Inch) for Feehan  40' 58'

WEXFORD: GK 1 Kathleen Tonks (Buffers Alley) FB 2 Margaret Leacy (Buffers Alley) RWB 3 Martina Cousins (St Brigid's Kilrush) CB 4 Bridget Doyle (Buffers Alley) LWB 5 Dorothy Walsh (Buffers Alley) MF 6 Breda Murphy (Cloughbawn-Adamstown) MF 7 Elsie Walsh (Buffers Alley) MF 8 Geraldine Duggan (Buffers Alley) RWF 9 Kit Codd (Cloughbawn-Adamstown) CF 10 Annie Kennedy (Buffers Alley) LWF 11 Eileen Kehoe (Cloughbawn-Adamstown) FF 12 Eileen O'Gorman (Buffers Alley)

MATCH RULES

• 50 minutes
• Replay if scores level
• Maximum of 5 substitutions

Replay March 20 Tipperary 4-2 Wexford 1-3

Tipperary

Wexford

TIPPERARY: GK 1 Nuala Bonner (Cashel) FB 2 Monica Butler (Drom-Inch) (Captain) RWB 3 Mary O'Brien (Portroe) CB 4 Siobhan Tynan (Drom-Inch) LWB 5 Bernie Feehan (St Bernadette’s) MF 6 Deirdre Lane (Celtic) 1-1 MF 7 Marion Troy (Celtic) MF 8 Kathleen Tynan (Drom-Inch) RWF 9 Maol Muire Tynan (Drom-Inch) 2-1 CF 10 Maire Hogan (Portroe) 1-0 LWF 11 Liz Howard (Drom-Inch)  40'  45' FF 12 Josie Quigley (St Mary’s) Substitutes: LWF Mary Kelly (Drom-Inch) for Liz Howard  40'

WEXFORD: GK 1 Kathleen Tonks (Buffers Alley) FB 2 Margaret Leacy (Buffers Alley) RWB 3 Dorothy Walsh (Buffers Alley) CB 4 Bridget Doyle (Buffers Alley) LWB 5 Martina Cousins (St Brigid's Kilrush) MF 6 Breda Murphy (Cloughbawn-Adamstown)  45' MF 7 Elsie Walsh (Buffers Alley) MF 8 Geraldine Duggan (Buffers Alley) RWF 9 Kit Codd (Cloughbawn-Adamstown) 1-0 CF 10 Ann Kennedy (Buffers Alley)  40' LWF 11 Eileen Kehoe (Buffers Alley) FF 12 Eileen O'Gorman (Buffers Alley) 0-1 Substitutes: CF Margaret Hearne (Buffers Alley) 0-2 for Kennedy  40' MF Bridie Murphy (St Brigid's Kilrush) for Breda Murphy  45'

MATCH RULES

• 60 minutes
• Replay if scores level
• Maximum of 5 substitutions

References