Athenry News & Views Spring 2026

Spring 2026

Replica Cups for players Following the All-Ireland Club Camogie Final in 1977, the winning players were presented with 4 inch replica versions of the Bill Carroll Cup, a trophy that carries a unique and deeply personal history within the game. The cup was originally presented anonymously by a Kilkenny man, and it was only after his death in 1974 that it formally took on the name Bill Carroll, in recognition of his lifelong contribution to camogie. His daughter, Ann Carroll, went on to establish a remarkable record of her own, winning five All Ireland Senior Club medals, a feat by an individual that has yet to be surpassed. In addition, she claimed two inter-county All-Ireland titles with Kilkenny, further cementing her place among camogie’s greats. Fifty years later, a new cup was commissioned by Ann Carroll and presented for the first time in 2016. She felt it fitting that the trophy should honour the memory of both her parents, Bill and Agnes Carroll, who were deeply involved in camogie over many years, particularly at club level and in the organisation of club championships.

Flying High in 1976

Athenry camogie players reached new heights in 1976 when the senior team travelled by plane for the All-Ireland Club Senior Semi-Final against Creggan in County Antrim. The Club chartered two planes from Aer Arann, mainly for safety reasons, for the 200 mile-plus journey from Carnmore to Aldergrove Airport in Belfast. The party made the remainder of the way to Creggan by road. The flight took approximately one hour and the team were back again in Carnmore by five o’clock. It is still claimed to be the first time a camogie team flew to fulfill a fixture.

Ann Morris (Athenry) Galway Sports Star 1977

Presentation of the Cup

One of the shining stars of Athenry Camogie in 1977 was Ann Morris who was presented with the camogie ‘Galway Sports Star Award’. Although a native of Turloughmore, Ann played her camogie with both the Presentation College and Athenry teams, where she established herself as a quality player. Ann also captained the Galway minor team to All Ireland Championship success in 1977, displaying leadership and consistency throughout the championship campaign. Her performances for school, club and county underlined her importance to the progress of camogie in Athenry and Galway.

All-Ireland Club winning captain Mary Daly is presented with the Bill Carroll Cup by the Camogie President Ms. Purcell following the final at Kenny Park with Madge Hobbins and selector Christy Kelly. Remarkable the senior club camogie championship was established in 1964, six years before football and hurling followed suit

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