Cleveland enjoyed its second year of competition in 2023 with growth and some hardware to bring home! We had some good success last year winning a key match-up with Pittsburgh and qualifying and making it to the Championship at the USGAA Finals in Chicago. 2023 brought on several impressive new players, and our second-year veterans sharpened their skills. Our Cleveland Camogie played an absolutely amazing match at the Midwest Division Finals to become the Queens of the division by defeating Pittsburgh.
The ladies qualified again for the USGAA Finals in Denver, and again made it to the Championship! A truly impressive feat to make it to back-to-back Championships. We ended 2023 by winning Akron’s O’Leary Camogie Championship.
Brief History
Camogie is to hurling what softball is to baseball. That is, it is the female version of hurling. Stemming from the pure tradition of Gaelic sports, Camogie is a sport just as popular as hurling.
Two women Máire Ní Chinnéide and Cáit Ní Dhonnchadha, both prominent Irish-language enthusiasts and cultural nationalists, were instrumental in the foundation of the sport in 1903, with the help of Ní Dhonnchadha’s brother Tadhg, who drew up the rules.
The first All-Ireland took place in 1932, included 10 counties and was won by Dublin
Unlike other Gaelic games, Camogie is organized by the Camogie Association, not the GAA. The first All-Ireland took place in 1932, included 10 counties and was won by Dublin. Seán O’Duffy of Mayo donated a silver cup, which is why the championship cup is known as the O’Duffy Cup to this day.
In those days, the game looked a little different. Players lined-out wearing gym-frocks that covered the knee, long black stockings, canvas boots, and long-sleeved blouses with a belt or sash around the waist.
As of July 2022, there are 162 Hurling/Camogie clubs in the USA!
About Us
In 2024 we look to keep growing the Ladies Camogie team. We have many ladies who are still brand new to the sport, and I highly encourage you to come check us out. We could not be prouder of the bond and the success these ladies have formed over our short history. If you are looking for the most encouraging bunch of ladies out there, and lifelong friendships, lots of laughs and a competitive sport, then reach out!
Come join something truly special here in Cleveland!
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Coach Damon Margida
Contact Damon
CLEVELAND GAA 