It was against Clondalkin’s Round Towers on Abbotstown’s magic carpet.
Pitch number 1, known as The Stadium Pitch, where the grass would adorn the drawing room of Downton Abbey.
On the Stars’ website, there were profiles of the players. A big support travelled from Glencullen.
They brought their flags and banners, hanging them on the railings.
The banners said that Stars were formed in 1903. Towers set sail a few winters before, in 1884, the same year as the GAA itself.
Last Friday, November 1, the GAA marked the 140th anniversary of their formation in Hayes’ Hotel in Thurles. Towers were born a month later.
It was a grey, overcast Saturday afternoon at the Sports Ireland Campus. Brian Talty was on duty. His welcome cheered all-comers.
He was on Sunshine Radio earlier that morning. Seán Lane complimented him on getting his All-Star football selection spot on.
The Abbotstown Arena was blessed with All-Stars. The Coffee Truck was busy. Spectators sat in the stand and looked on from ringside.
Towers hit the ground sprinting as they attacked the road end. And it was their inspirational skipper, Katelyn McKiernan, who lifted the trophy.
In her speech, she thanked all for making the day possible. And she praised the Stars for their efforts – a captain in more ways than one.
The Clondalkin side were so sharp. Their forward-line was their first line of defence, getting in blocks and hooks.
They are the club of camogie’s director-general, Sinéad McNulty, and of Jim Gavin.
Brendan Cooper was the referee. His son, Jonny, was one of Jim’s most trusted performers.
Alan Milton is the Towers chairman and the GAA’s Director of Communications. This was a good news story if ever there was one.
“The future is shining bright for Stars,” declared their manager, James Mulhall, after the match.
James carries the fondest memories of his Cumann na mBunscol days playing in Croke Park with Scoil Mhuire.
And he feels these young players will remember this occasion for the decades to come.
“It’s a special day for our club. To come here and play in a facility like this.
“The beautiful surface, the dressing rooms, the stand. The atmosphere.
“It’s marvellous for our players to experience that, and, hopefully, it won’t be too long before we are back here again.
“Congratulations to Towers. They played so well. For us, we view this as an important part of our journey.
“This is the first-ever minor camogie team we have had in the club. It’s our most senior side and we are looking forward to going into the adult ranks next year.
“We have a terrific underage set-up. There’s so many players coming through.”
On the final whistle, the teams went to the middle of the pitch and shook hands.
“It was a terrific display,” remarked Clondalkin mentor Bernard O’Sullivan. “It was a real team performance.”
“It’s great for them,” added Bernard’s colleague, Val Kelly. “They are a lovely group, and they have worked hard all year.
“The camogie is going brilliantly in the club now. The juvenile section is thriving.
“Last week, we won the Under-15 Championship. We also won the Under-13 Shield, and we are also in the Under-16 Championship final.
“It’s fantastic to see the numbers that are playing, and everybody enjoying it. It’s such a beneficial outlet in their young lives.”
The Hoops had to graft for their scores. Stars defended so well, with all the concrete of the nearby Ball Wall.
Áine Ní Chiobháin was superb. Ava Plant showed energy and craft.
Kate Kelly and Sarah Mulhall excelled at midfield. They lit up the hour with some sparkling solo runs.
Clara Flynn is such a pure striker of the sliotar. She raised a white flag, as did Zara Mulhall.
Zara’s point was one of the best of all. She made a super catch and quick as a switch arrowed over.
Katie Montayne scored the Stars’ goal. Emily Lindsay created it, while Stars’ goalkeeper, Leah Campbell, made the save-of-the-match.
The Player-of-the-Match award went to Clondalkin’s Shónagh Byrne. She was outstanding.
She produced a cluster of scores, as did Tara Kelly, Kitty Quinlan, Ciara Whelan and Eabha Brady.
Eabha also produced a golden nugget as she lifted the ball in full flight, the applause filling her ears as she raced down the right wing in front of the stand.
Brendan Cooper made the presentation. “Stars, you made history today. You are the future of the club.
“You came up against an excellent Towers team. It’s quite an achievement to reach a final. It’s not easy, so well done to both clubs.”
Cheering on the Stars’ every step was Ella Roe. Injury ruled her out of the game.
Yet she put that disappointment aside to encourage her teammates. With that kind of spirit, it’s little wonder that camogie is dancing in the scenic valley beneath the majestic Dublin Mountains.
And out in the village too. Where the pavements will be forever painted green and white.
