Saturday 22nd of June 2024 will be a date long remembered by all of a blue and white persuasion around Navan.

Our u15 camogie team wrote their own little chapter in the clubs history books by winning the clubs first ever Féile na nÓg camogie title .

The reward for beating Na Fianna in the Meath Grade A final ment that O Mahonys were graded in Division 3 of the National Féile and a trip to Wexford to represent Meath. 

The sleepy Wexford village of Ballycullane & Tintern Sports Complex was the first port of call. 

Before the first games started the host club Gusserane presented a commemorative plaque to all the visiting clubs.

The first opposition were Bredagh GAC from County Down, Burren Rangers from Carlow and Roscommon Champions Saint Dominics .

In a tight and cagey opening match saw defences on top.

The Down champions St Bredagh from Belfast made the brighter start and led at half time by 0-2 to 0-1.

O’Mahonys put in a strong second half display which hinted at what might be in store for the rest of day.

The girls were unfortunate not to equalise in the second half.

The final score remained Navan O'Mahonys 0-1 Bredagh GAC 0-2. 

It was quickly on to game two and a meeting with Carlow champions Burren Rangers. Following a scoreless first half, aided by a strong breeze it looked like O’Mahonys may have missed their chance however a strong second half showing into the breeze saw the girls score 1-1 without reply to take the spoils.

Navan O'Mahonys 1-1 Burren Rangers 0-0.

In the final group game O’Mahonys played Rocommon champions Saint Dominics. With confidence now growing within the group the girls ran out comfortable winners with Ella Taaffe Holly McKeigue and Lauren Donegan working the score board operators.

Navan O Mahonys 1-5 Saint Dominics 0-1.

The results ment that O'Mahonys finished second in the group and would qualify for the cup semi final against the top placed team in a group consisting of Saint Annes(Waterford), Tralee Parnells(Kerry), Crossmaglen(Armagh) and host club Gusserane (Wexford).

It also meant a short journey to a new venue of Gusserane for the girls 

The Kerry champions, Tralee Parnells had a 100 percent record following their group games and were confident of a victory. They hadn't accounted for the fact that the previously unfancied Navan O Mahonys were building up a fair bit of momentum and were growing stronger with each match.

A lightning start from the Meath girls saw them two goals and a point to the good before the Kerry girls had even raised a white flag. Tralee came thundering back into the match. With the game creeping into injury time, and with passions reaching boiling point, the Navan girls proved to be the ones who kept their head to get over the line by a single point .

Navan O'Mahonys 2-1 Tralee Parnells 1-3.

The O’Mahonys girls awaited the winner of the semi final between host club Gusserane and thier previous conquerors Bredagh GAC. 

The Wexford girls put in a massively impressive semi final performance which gave the management team of Niall McKeigue, TJ Mackey, Linda Hogan, Chris Taaffe, Niamh Roe and Tadgh O Leary plenty of food for thought. 

As the Divison 3 Féile final threw in, not many in attendance at the beautifully appointed ground would have given O'Mahonys much of a chance. The host club raced into a 2-3 to 0-1 lead with Lauren Donegan responsible for the Hoops only score.

At half time and with a mountain higher than one of them seen in the Tour de France Alps stage ahead of them the message was simple and clear to the girls. Go  out and win the second half.

Half way through the second half and with things seemingly going according to the script something beautiful happened in front of unbelieving eyes. Ella Taaffe’s goal seemed to light a fire in every Navan soul. The players on the pitch grew that little bit taller, the supporters in the venue grew that little bit more boisterous and at the same time the seed of doubt was placed in every Wexford mind . The momentum had well and truly swung when Mikayla McAreavey pounced to score the equalising goal with moments to go.

Following the puck out a foul on an O’Mahonys forward gave Holly McKeigue the golden opportunity to put the Navan girls into the lead for the first time in the match. Holly popped the ball straight over the black spot to raucous cheers.With time up the referee played what seemed like an extra ordinary amount of injury time Ella Taaffe struck over a beautiful insurance point to ensure the Féile division 3 title was on its way back to the Royal County .The final whistle saw scenes of wild joy and celebrations from all.who had made the journey.

Navan O Mahonys 2-5 Gusserane 2-3

Navan O'Mahonys captain Grace Kielty accepted the trophy and paid tribute to host club and gallant losers Gusserane. 

She also paid tribute to the management team, the referee and his officials and to all the supporters who travelled in hope.

Wild celebrations followed at the ground, continued onto the team bus and culminated with a fantastic reception and guard of honour following the arrival home of the new All Ireland champions .

The girls who have written their name in the history books are ...

Hannah McKeigue, Anna O'Rourke, Grace Kielty, Hannah Byrne, Lauren Cooney, Grace Hogan, Eva Roe, Holly McKeigue, Amy Betson, Genevieve Dorrigan, Lauren Donegan, Callie Hagan, Hayley O'Reilly, Ella Taaffe, Sadhbh O'Leary, Mikayla McAreavey, Molly Mc Connell, Kate Quinn, Betty Mackey

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