Amy Boyle, Loughgiel Shamrocks, pictured ahead of the 2022 AIB Camogie All-Ireland Senior Club Championship Semi-Final, which takes place this Saturday, December 10th at 1pm at Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA. The AIB Camogie All-Ireland Club Championships features some of #TheToughest players from communities all across Ireland. It is these very communities that the players represent that make the AIB Camogie All-Ireland Club Championships unique. Now in its 10th year supporting the Camogie Championships, AIB is extremely proud to once again celebrate the communities that play such a role in sustaining our national games.
By Cian O’Connell
“I actually got to play at half-time at that match at Croke Park,” Amy Boyle responds when asked about Loughgiel Shamrocks’ 2012 AIB All Ireland Club SHC Final victory at Croke Park.
That was a glorious day for the proud Antrim outfit, who have also a decorated history in camogie too. Boyle enjoyed the opportunity at the Jones Road venue. “A couple of us that are playing now were U12s so we got on at half-time,” she says. “That was definitely a big day. That is my main memory really, getting to play at half-time itself.
In the intervening decade Boyle has made a splendid contribution for Loughgiel, who following so many harrowing losses, eventually overcame a brilliant Slaughtneil side to secure provincial glory.
An All-Ireland semi-final against Drom-Inch now beckons. Being back on the national stage is significant according to Boyle. “It definitely is, the panel is about half and half - I'd say half the girls have had a chance to play in All-Ireland semi-finals, then for me and the younger girls this is our first chance,” Boyle says.
“For six years in a row we have been getting beat, so it definitely is exciting to get to play at this stage. To play at this time of the year it is definitely what you want when you start off at the start of the year anyway.”
The connection forged between the Loughgiel Shamrocks club and the local community matters deeply. “The hurlers have been there and done it,” Boyle says. “So maybe a bit of it is that we are trying to emulate that ourselves.
“The support of the parish they have been getting behind the camogie team. We have a great place where everybody gets out to support us, the same as they would for the hurling.
“We've had brilliant crowds at all of our matches. I'm sure it will be the same thing in Ashbourne this weekend, they will be there with flags and they will be out in numbers.”