Pictured is Antrim Camogie player, Amy Boyle who has teamed up with AIB to support the GOAL mile. As part the campaign AIB is offering people who register for the GOAL Mile the chance to win one of the ten €1,000 prizes for their GAA, Camogie, or LGFA club. To win, people need to register for their GOAL Mile and then enter the AIB GAA GOAL Mile competition at www.aibgaagoalmile2024.com.
By Cian O’Connell
Amy Boyle appreciates these glorious days for Loughgiel Shamrocks.
A third Ulster Camogie title on the spin was secured, defeating Swatragh on Saturday, illustrating the Antrim outfit’s ability. “It was a great weekend, last weekend,” Boyle reflects.
“I suppose for so many years we struggled to get over that Ulster mark. It just shows how quick the time goes; we went from getting beaten six years in a row to now being three times Ulster champions. It really is a great achievement.”
Having endured such pain on the provincial stage, Loughgiel kept believing. “Exactly, we had worked so hard so to get over the line in Ulster in 2022, when we did, it was such a relief,” Boyle says.
“It is hard coming back, getting beat so many years in a row. In that time, we've been so successful in Antrim, it was just about getting over that extra line, getting over Ulster, that was the thing, that was the driving force. You remember all those days ending in heartbreak, it makes these last couple of years even better.”
An accomplished Slaughtneil set such a high standard for so long in Ulster. Was there any comfort in knowing that Loughgiel were competing strongly at that time? “Yeah, that was exactly it,” Boyle replies.
“They went on to win three All-Irelands. There was never much between us. So, you were kinda watching it, and I know it is a bit strange because you were devastated you weren't there, but they were beating us by a couple of points.
“We knew we weren't too far away; it was just getting over that line. You were watching them, that time it was around March, you were just hoping we'd get the chance to finally get over the line.”
Throughout the decades Loughgiel have invested significant time and energy in developing underage hurling and camogie players. That is key according to Boyle. “Even myself coming up underage, we always just had great mentors in every age group,” she says.
Loughgiel Shamrocks' Amy Boyle, Róisín McCormick, and Caitrin Dobbin pictured at the 2023 AIB Camogie Club Player Awards. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
“Ronan McCloskey, who is part of the management set-up now, he took a lot of the girls, who are still playing senior now, he took us at U16. He really helped the mindset of that team, maybe we had been used to getting beat quite frequently, he brought a lot of the senior trainings down to us at U16.
“When we made that step up to senior then, we were a lot more ready for it. That is the same thing now. Some of the camogieers, who have retired in the last couple of years are now going back in taking underage teams.
“You've Ella McMullan and Charlene Campbell there, it is great they are going back down and hopefully keeping players coming through every year.”
Loughgiel hurlers have previously delivered on the Antrim, Ulster, and national stage. The 2012 AIB All-Ireland club hurling triumph was an inspiration for many. “Yeah, exactly, the hurlers have done it all, before we were winning,” Boyle acknowledges.
“It is the only club in Ulster to have one All-Ireland, never mind two, that is a great legacy that they have. So, it is something you look up to. At that time, I remember growing up, watching that hurling team.
“They got beaten in a lot of finals before they managed to make that breakthrough. Even when we were getting beat, it was something to look towards. The club really just drives the whole thing on, the supporters we have, and everything is amazing.”
A passion and love for Loughgiel continues to be passed through the generations. “Exactly, a small club like Loughgiel, there is going to be so many family connections and everything like that,” Boyle says.
“So, it does matter. It is great to see all the links, sisters playing alongside each other, cousins. It just makes it a great time for everybody's families, that we're able to play alongside each other.”
An All-Ireland semi-final against Sarsfields – a repeat of the 2022 decider - is the next challenge Loughgiel Shamrocks must embrace.