Donegal hosted its first camogie game in years last night when Burt took on Four Masters in Convoy.
Camogie in the county had been in decline for some time over the past couple of decades, but a recent resurgence at underage level has borne fruits with last night’s historic game culminating in those years of hard graft.
Burt overcame Four Masters in a competitive fixture.
Manager of the Four Masters team Laurence Doherty, said he was very proud to be part of this occasion.
Doherty had managed many of these players since u12 and it was very important that the players can continue with the sport they love into senior competitions.
Burt’s manager PJ O’Brien highlighted how hurling is a very proud tradition in Burt and although the club has only started a senior camogie team in the last couple of years.
The ladies of Burt and Fahan have been playing camogie for decades.
Shirley Doherty from the Donegal Camogie Board said we have seen these girls play for their clubs and their county over the last ten years and while the health benefits of playing sport are obvious, being part of a team gives the players so much more, reducing stress in these pressured times, boosting the players self esteem and most importantly they enjoy playing camogie.
Rebecca Faulker has been wearing the Four Masters jersey for last 8 years.
When she saw that Four Masters were starting a senior team, she signed up immediately.
Chloe Downey is a dedicated Burt club member and she highlighted how girls are six times more likely to drop out of sport.
Fielding female teams can be a struggle but the continuing support and encouragement of our clubs and the county board will ensure many more senior Donegal camogie competitions in the years to come.
