The 1951 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship was the high point of the 1951 season in Camogie. The championship was won by Dublin who defeated Antrim by a 17-point margin in the final. 978-1-908591-00-5 The final was played at Croke Park.
Structure London entered the championship at the quarter-final stage and beat Galway 3–4 to 2-2, with strong performances from Nora Scully, Kathleen Waters, Noreen Collins and Bridie Ennis. They lost heavily in the semi-final at New Eltham with Deirdre O’Gorman, Moya Forde and Peg Dooey leading Antrim's effort.
Final Sophie Brack scored 4-2 for Dublin in the final. Unaccustomed to the surroundings of Croke Park surroundings the Antrim team did not find their feet until near the end of the first half, by which time Dublin had run up a big score and led 5–3 to 0–1. Antrim did better after half time, their forwards played with more confidence and scored three goals in the opening minutes of the second half and four in all, two from Mary McKeever, and one each from Sarah O'Neill and Madge Rainey. The match was played on front of what was described as a “large attendance” and according to the Irish Independent“The colours were lavishly displayed by the supporters, the sky-blue of Dublin contrasting with the saffron and white of the Ulster supporters.” The newspaper commented:“In Eileen Duffy the winners had a goalkeeper whose anticipation and clearances must surely have disconcerted the most goal hungry forward line. At times she was inspired, one of her saves being superb.” The Irish Press reports:“The game as a whole failed to reach the heights expected following last year’s great tussle between the teams. Antrim in particular were disappointing, their defence being very lax, especially in the first half.”
Final stages
DUBLIN: GK 1 Eileen Duffy (Celtic)FB 2 Nan Mahon RWB 3 Carmel Walsh (CIÉ)CB 4 Deborah Dunne (Austin Stacks)LWB 5 Mona Walsh MF 6 Joan Cosgrave MF 7 Kathleen Cody (CIÉ) (0-3)MF 8 Kathleen Mills (CIÉ) (0-1)RWF 9 Patsy Cooney (1-0)CF 10 Annie Donnelly (1-0)LWF 11 Eileen Bourke (UCD) (2-0)FF 12 Sophie Brack (CIÉ) (Capt) (4-2) ANTRIM: GK 1 Pat Rafferty FB 2 Nancy Murray RWB 3 Moya Forde CB 4 Deirdre O’GormanLWB 5 Geraldine SwindlesMF 6 Ethna Dougan (0-1)MF 7 Sue McMullen MF 8 Mary McGarry RWF 9 Madge Rainey (1-0)CF 10 Sarah O’Neill (1-0)LWF 11 Mary McKeever (2-0)FF 12 Mary Rua McGarry MATCH RULES 50 minutes Replay if scores level Maximum of 3 substitutions
See also All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Wikipedia List of Camogie players National Camogie League Camogie All Stars Awards Ashbourne Cup
References
External links Camogie Association Historical reports of All Ireland finals All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship: Roll of Honour Camogie on facebook Camogie on GAA Oral History Project