Eight Goal Loreto stroll to comprehensive success

Leinster Senior Colleges Camogie Roinn A final

Loreto Kilkenny 8-10

Presentation Kilkenny 0-5

By Michael O'Leary

It was all one way traffic at a bitterly cold Clara last Saturday afternoon, as Loreto Kilkenny easily strolled to a comprehensive victory over Presentation Kilkenny. A 3rd consecutive Leinster senior title was assured from an early stage, as Loreto move 3rd on the role of honour list behind both Mercy Enniscorthy and Mercy Callan who both have won 9 Leinster titles each.

It was a very impressive display by the defending All-Ireland champions, who had 9 of last years starting line-up final team on show. Loreto led 5-6 to 0-1 at half-time, with all the forwards bar Claire Phelan grabbing a goal each. Sarah Dunphy, Aoife Murphy and Jenny Clifford grabbed their second goals each during the second-half, as Loreto ran out resounding 29-point winners.

Presentation had goal chances throughout, but they couldn't manufacture even a consolation effort mainly due to the excellence of Loreto goalkeeper Kirsty Maher who pulled off numerous saves. Defensively, they were extremely solid, only conceding 0-2 from play with Orla Ryan and Maureen Walsh in particular superb.

Lydia Fitzpatrick was solid elegantly controlling the play in midfield, while the attacking division scored 8-8 from play with Sarah Anne Quinlan and Aoife Murphy in particular highly dangerous when in possession. The opening breakthrough came within less than two minutes. A free dropped goal wards, and Lydia Fitzpatrick acrobatically pulled on the sliotar, before Orla Hanrick sent a ground shot along the ground that only got the faintest of connections.

However, Presentation goalkeeper Roisin Walsh couldn't prevent the sliotar from trickling over the goal-line. Goal number two arrived in the 10th minute. Good combination play from Claire Phelan, Jenny Clifford and Orla Hanrick combined set up Aoife Murphy, and her initial goal shot was saved, before full-forward Sarah Dunphy opportunistic instincts to poke the ball into the net.

Goal number three on the quarter hour mark, was a very poor goal for the Pres to concede. A very slack puck out, and Aoife Murphy ghosted through the defence unmarked, and she calmly slotted home a simple finish. 3-3 to 0-0.

Jenny Clifford hand passed a goal in the 19th minute, after Aoife Murphy's goal bound shot in the same movement phase was well blocked Murphy and Clifford combined to set up Quinlan for goal number in the 24th minute as they held a staggering 20-point lead at the interval.

Presentation at least tried hard, and they deserved a goal for their efforts. Their best chance came seconds into the restart. An Eibhlin Fogarty shot was pulled acrobatically by Aisling Nolan, who was denied by a first class save from Kirsty Maher.

Aoife Murphy added Loreto's goal in the 36th minute, before Jenny Clifford scored a well taken goal in the 45th minute when creating the space surrounded by a whole host of players. Sarah Dunphy grabbed a second goal set up by Claire Phelan, and Phelan was once again provider for Sarah Anne Quinlan to shoot on goal late, but her rasping low shot crept inches over the crossbar.

Easy for Loreto but under the new look structure, both sides are now enter the All-Ireland phase of the competition at the quarter-final phase.  Loreto will play the Ulster runners-up, while the Ulster champions are Presentation Kilkenny's quarter-final opponents. Those matches are scheduled for the weekend 28th/29th January, while the re-arranged Leinster Junior final between Loreto and Presentation is scheduled to be played the end of the month.

Player of the match: Orla Ryan (Loreto Kilkenny)

It may sound surprising giving a player of the match accolade to a defender, considering their 8 goal tally, but Orla Ryan was superb at corner-back giving an exhibition. Her defensive play was magnificent, and her clearances were accurate and lengthy.

Scorers - Loreto Kilkenny: Jenny Clifford 2-1, Orla Hanrick and Sarah Anne Quinlan 1-3 each, Aoife Murphy + Sarah Dunphy 2-0 each, Claire Phelan 0-2(frees), Marie Doheny 0-1

Presentation Kilkenny - Mary O'Connell 0-3(frees), Michaela Kenneally + Ciara Ryan 0-1 each

Teams

Loreto Kilkenny - Kirsty Maher(Dicksboro), Orla Ryan(St. Brigids, Graigue-Ballycallan), Tracey Brennan(Lisdowney), Sonia Buggy(Dicksboro), Kate Holland (Lisdowney), Miriam Walsh(Tullaroan), Maureen Walsh(St. Lachtains, Freshford), Niamh Leahy(Emeralds), Lydia Fitzpatrick(St. Lachtains, Freshford), Sarah-Ann Quinlan(Young Irelands, Gowran), Claire Phelan(captain) (Lisdowney), Jenny Clifford(Dicksboro), Orla Hanrick(Dicksboro), Sarah Dunphy(St. Brigids, Graigue-Ballycallan), Aoife Murphy(Lisdowney)

Subs: Tara Hogan (St. Brigids, Graigue-Ballycallan), Laura Greene (O'Loughlin Gaels), Maria Doheny (St. Brigids, Graigue-Ballycallan),

Presentation Kilkenny - Roisin Walsh(Danesfort), Mairead Fogarty(Young Irelands, Gowran), Alice Talbot(Piltown), Caroline Booth (Danesfort), Rachel Phelan(Danesfort), Mary O'Connell (Clara), Deirdre Phelan(captain) (Danesfort), Ailish Butler(Thomastown), Ciara Farrell(Thomastown), Ciara Ryan(Ballyhale Shamrocks), Michaela Kenneally(Windgap), Claire Nolan(Clara), Eimear Brennan(Danesfort), Eibhlin Fogarty(Young Irelands, Gowran), Aisling Nolan(Clara)

Subs: Maeve O'Connor (Thomastown), Tamsin English (Clara), Aoife Brennan (Danesfort),

Referee: Eamonn Mansfield