Stand-in skipper Laura Browne hails ‘unbelievable’ Markievicz

Laura Browne was only too happy to step into the role of skipper to lift the Donegal Camogie Championship on behalf of her “unbelievable” Markievicz team on Friday.

Centre-forward Browne was doing the honours as Martina Rushe, the club captain, was holidaying in Spain but keeping an eye on the celebrations at MacCumhaill Park via facetime link to goalkeeper Michelle Anderson.

Last year Markievicz took the trophy to the Cross following a walkover victory over a Burt side who didn’t field at the Donegal GAA Training Centre in Convoy. This year, only the second with competitive camogie in the county, saw a 5-12 to 1-5 win over a spirited Carndonagh team at MacCumhaill Park.

“Last year we came down to win it but the other team didn’t turn up so it’s fantastic this year,” Browne said. “We just wanted to come here and win it because it’s such a great group.”

Markievicz the camogie queens following victory over Carndonagh

Laura McGuinness top-scored for Markievicz as they got the better of Carndonagh to make it back-to-back Donegal Camogie Championships following last year's walkover victory over Burt

With Laura McGuinness scoring 2-3 and  Janice Rushe chipping in with two goals, it laid the foundation for victory. 

“She’s brilliant for all those there all year and we’ve seen it time and again,” Browne said of McGuinness’s abilities to drop long-range frees in. “Between her and Janice, who is such a danger for us, we got the goals. Janice is a really strong full-forward. 

“The defence really put in a good shift there. The scoreline was not reflective of the game and it was very tough from start to finish. The goals we scored stood to us and Carndonagh were brilliant on the day. Every time we play them, they’re always top class. They will go from strength to strength and next year they will be better again.”

Markievicz have a huge backing in the Finn Valley area and Browne hopes the club can move on from here, with a provincial championship to compete in in the coming weeks.

“You can see by the size of the panel we have, we could have two teams,” Browne added. “There’s such an interest. It’s brilliant to have that variety of players. We want to do as much as we can now with Ulster coming up. 

“It’s brilliant to have a camogie championship. There was none two years ago and now we do. You can see there, some of our players had never even picked up a hurl till 18 months ago so everyone got started and it’s unbelievable how far they have come on. They’re unbelievable.”