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Heroine’ Hamilton inspires miraculous Grennan comeback
All-Ireland junior colleges roinn C camogie final
Grennan College Thomastown 4-8
Presentation secondary School Thurles 4-8
By Michael O’Leary
WOW! What a comeback! Grennan College of Thomastown are on cloud nine as they amazingly recovered from an 11-point deficit before half-time – the Thomastown girls also trailed by 7 points with three minutes of normal time remaining – to somehow somewhere produce one of the famous Kilkenny comebacks especially at schools level in Nowlan Park last Saturday.
The Thurles school were overwhelming favourites after their 8 goal destruction in their landslide semi-final victory and while they unquestionably had the greater players skilwise, they couldn’t manage to equal the workrate, desire, lion-hearted determination and never say die attitude of the Thomastown school.
Grennan played against a stiff breeze during the opening-half, but started brightly as they largely dominated possession during the opening quarter.
However, the Presentation school eventually began to exert complete control during the second quarter and proved up to their favourites tag as they led 3-5 to 0-4 at the interval.
The outstanding duo of Kelly Hamilton and centre-forward Niamh Donnolly accounting a brace of points from play each during the opening-half, as the Tipperary school scored opportunist goals from hat-trick poacher Marianne Murphy and Aine Devane in the 9th and 21st minutes respectively, before Murphy bagged her second goal to appear to put the Grennan school out of their reach.
However, Grennan displayed the most admirable of resounding determination as they used the strong breeze to their advantage after the restart.
Credit the girls for tightening up significantly in defence also.
The tigerish Teresa Cassin never yielded an inch while the imperious Alison Murphy and and the tenacious working Sinead Whelan were also superb suring the second-half.
A Jessie Carroll goal in the 33rd minute narrowed the deficit after Kelly Hamilton’s initial free hit the post, and after the magnificent Hamilton pointed from play, the Thomastown school were inspired further.
Good work from Aisling Begley, forced a defensive mistake as Sinead Naddy slotted home the simplest of finishes. 3-6 to 2-5. GAME ON.
Michaela Graham pointed, before points from Donnelly and Hamilton narrowed the gap to just a goa. 3-7 to 2-7.
The Thulres attack continued to remain a potent threat, and the always dangerous Sarah Fryday pointed in the 52nd minute.
The Thurles school appeared to have their two hands on the cup, as Fryday displayed sublime skill along the endline to set up Murphy as she completed her hat-trick with consummate ease. 4-8 to 2-7.
Donnelly pointed her 4th all from play almost immediately, and after a Kelly Hamilton ’45 took a wicked deflection off an opposing defender, there was still hope for the Thomastown school as injury-time beckoned.
Only one minute was played, but sufficient for Grennan to be awarded a 20metre free, as a Presentation defender was penalized for lying on the sliothar.
It was a DO OR DIE MOMENT. And Hamilton remained calm to the task in hand as she brilliantly struck an unstoppable shot to the roof of the net much to the rapturous delight of the Grennan contingent.
It was totally deserved for Grennan’s resilent efforts.
As this report was written, a time and venue has yet to be confirmed for next Saturday’s replay but one suspects it may be played at a Tipp venue.
Scorers – Grennan College Thomastown: Kelly Hamilton 2-4(1-0 free + 1-0 ’45) Niamh Donnelly 0-4 Jessie Carroll and Sinead Naddy 1-0 each
Presentation secondary school Thurles: Marianne Murphy 3-2 Sarah Fryday 0-4 Aine Devane 1-0 Michaela Graham 0-2(0-1 free)
Teams:
Grennan College Thomastown – Clubs all Thomastown unless stated – Claire Forristal, Sophie Kavanagh, Niamh Quigley, Teresa Cassin, Alison Murphy, Meghan Farrell, Sinead Whelan, Leanne Walsh, Kelly Hamilton(captain) (Rower-Inistioge), Kayleigh Begley(James Stephens), Niamh Donnelly, Eimear Donnolly, Aisling Begley(James Stephens), Jessie Carroll, Sinead Naddy
Sub: Lucy Johns(Thomastown)
Presentation Secondary School Thurles: Michelle Sheppard, Laura Ralph, Aimee Quinn, Bernie Bergin, Kora Kinane, Rosemarie Hanafin, Laura Donnelly, Clodagh Quirke, Aine Devane, Andrea Loughnane, Michaela Graham, Aine Symmons, Ciara Darmody, Sarah Fryday, Marianne Murphy.
Referee: Cathal Egan(Cork)
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Quinlan stars as Loreto complete double
All-Ireland junior colleges camogie final roinn A
Loreto Kilkenny 1-16
St. Brigids Loughrea 2-7
Loreto Kilkenny made a piece of history in Toomevara last Saturday afternoon as they became the first Kilkenny school to complete the Senior/junior All-Ireland colleges double in the same as they Kilkenny City school were always in control against their Galway counterparts.
It was a highly impressive display from the Loreto girls who displayed great fluency and skill throughout and in a highly impressive team display SarahAnne Quinlan was the star on show with a five star display at centre-forward as she scored 1-6.
Loreto led 1-7 to 0-5 at the interval as a Quinlan goal – coming via a shot that deceived the Loughrea goalkeeper – confirmed their superior dominance as the Gowran accounted 1-3 during the opening-half as senior colleges starting members Lydia Fitzpatrick and Orla Hanrick bagged a brace of points each.
Despite the Galway girls accounting a brace of goals after the restart, the Loreto girls remained in control with Quinlan, Hanrick and Miriam Walsh adding further points.
An excellent team display with team captain Kate Holland leading by example with a towering display at centre-back, with the midfield and attacking force displaying skill, craft, and guile in abundance.
It was Loreto’s third colleges title in the space of 4 years since making the breakthrough of in 2007.
The first All-Ireland winning team three years ago provided the bulk of this years senior team.
What a year it’s been for the City school.
Loreto Kilkenny – Kirsty Maher(Dicksboro) Katie Doheny(Freshford) Amy Bryan(O’Loughlin Gaels) Tara Hogan(Graigue-Ballycallan) Rachel Lynch(Dicksboro) Kate Holland(Lisdowney) (captain) Tracey Brennan(Lisdowney) Lydia Fitzpatrick(Freshford) Miriam Walsh(Tullaroan) Maureen Walsh(Freshford) Sarah Anne Quinlan(Young Irelands, Gowran) Orla Hanrick(Dicksboro) Marie Doheny(Graigue-Ballycallan) Ciara Byrne(Clara) Anna Buggy(Freshford)
Rest of Panel: Roisin Breen(Paulstown/Goresbridge) Niamh Browne(Dicksboro) Grainne Egan(Graigue-Ballycallan) Dervla Gannon (Lisdowney) Claire Healy(Lisdowney) Roisin Kealy(Clara) Sarah Lanigan(Freshford) Niamh Leahy(Emeralds) Eva Maher(Dicksboro) Laura Murphy(O’Loughlin Gaels) Stacey Nugent(Graigue-Ballycallan) Roisin O’Neill(Danesfort) Ciara Phelan(Emeralds) Clodagh Power(Emeralds) Fionnuala Quinlan(Young Irelands, Gowran) Ciara Tyrell(Dicksboro) Megan Walsh(Danesfort)
Referee: Eamonn Browne(Tipperary)
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Loreto girls land maiden All-Ireland despite nervous finish
All-Ireland senior colleges camogie final
Loreto Kilkenny 2-5
Blackwater Community school Lismore 1-7
By Michael O’Leary
RELIEF! That was the word that best summed up the joyous scenes of celebrations, as Loreto Kilkenny relinquished an 8-point lead early in the second-half, to hang on against a resilient Lismore school, who will feel they could’ve snatched their first All-Ireland and had their chances to do so.
However, the Loreto girls defence stood doggedly during those closing stages and inspired by the full-back line of Stacey Quirke, Niamh Kelly and Kate Holland(introduced as a substitute), they held firm to the relief of whistleminder John O’Leary.
They had looked in control early on and were dominant in the opening 20 minutes.
14-year-old Lydia Fitzpatrick opened the scoring in the 5th minute with a well taken and following two pointed frees from Claire Phelan in the 8th and 12th minutes respectively, Aine Curran added a point to complete an excellent start.
They established their superior dominance in the 19th minute when a long range free from Niamh Byrne caused panic inside the Blackwater full-back line, and after Aoife Nolan mis-hit her swing on the first attempt she followed up by squeezing the sliothar into an empty net. 1-4 to 0-0.
However, the Lismore school found momentum and two pointed frees from co-captaim midfielder Marie Russell and an excellent effort from an acute angle by Niamh Prendergast, they closed the gap to four points at the interval. 1-4 to 0-3.
The scoreboard could easily have taken a different perspective though as the Waterford school squandered two guilt edged goal chances in first-half injury-time.
An intriguing second-half lied ahead but the Loreto girls re-established control within 35 seconds of the restart.
A long through ball from team captain Aisling Dunphy found the lurking Lydia Fitzpatrick who took advantage of slack defending as the Freshford youngsters had a clear goal in front of her to slot home the simplest of finishes.
Orla Hanrick pointed in the 34th minute, to extend the advantage, but like many teams that possess a sizeable lead, they became sloppy and complacent as the Lismore school responded.
A magnificent goal from Blackwater full-forward Catriona McGloone narrowed the deficit, and pointed frees from Russell in the 40th and 47th minutes respectively closed the deficit even further. 2-5 to 1-5.
Loreto had a chance to effectively seal victory in the 52nd minute when substitute Noelle Maher saw her goal chance brilliantly blocked by the stick of Tracy Kiely, before her follow-up touch went inches wide. It was that close.
Blackwater broke down field quickly and Catriona McGlone raced through on goal but her rasping shot with the goal at her mercy blazed agonizingly over the crossbar.
The Loreto contingents were on tenderhooks.
Russell pointed a free in the 54th minute as only the bare minimum separated them, and the last five minutes saw chances for both schools, but with nearly 4 minutes of injury-time, Niamh Kelly made a vital interception as the Waterford school were searching an equalizer, and to the relief of the final whistle saw an invasion by the parents and fellow students of the Loreto girls.
WELL DONE GIRLS! YE DESERVED IT.
Player of the match: Niamh Kelly(Loreto Kilkenny)
With forwards not shining on a consistent basis, it was the Loreto defence that had to stand up and be counted in the closing quarter. No one stood out more than full-back Niamh Kelly who was superb throughout. Her sense of positioning and tight-marking were first class.
Scorers – Loreto Kilkenny: Lydia Fitzpatrick 1-1 Aoife Nolan 1-0 Claire Phelan 0-2(frees) Aine Curran + Orla Hanrick 0-1 each
Blackwater Community school Lismore: Marie Russell 0-5(frees) Catriona McGlone 1-1 Niamh Prendergast
Teams – Loreto Kilkenny: Sinead Maher(Dicksboro) Stacey Quirke(St. Martins) Niamh Kelly(Dicksboro) Sarah Dunne(Graigue-Ballycallan) Caoimhe Shiel (Bennetsbridge) Grace Walsh(Tullaroan) Nicola Butler (Graigue-Ballycallan)Aisling Dunphy (Graigue-Ballycallan) (captain) Niamh Byrne(Clara) Aine Curran(Freshford) Claire Phelan(Lisdowney) Aoife Nolan(O’Loughlin Gaels), Aisling O’Grady(Dicksboro) Lydia Fitzpatrick(Freshford) Orla Hanrick(Dicksboro),
Subs: Aoife Murphy(Lisdowney) Kate Holland(Lisdowney) Noelle Maher(Tullaroan)
Rest of Panel: Tracy Brennan(Lisdowney) Sonia Buggy(Dicksboro) Emma Comerford(Young Irelands, Gowran) Aisling Curtis(Clara) Sarah Dunphy(Graigue-Ballycallan) Laura Hennessy(Graigue-Ballycallan) Tara Hogan(Graigue-Ballycallan) Emma Maher(Freshford) Sarah-Anne Quinlan(Young Irelands, Gowran) Isabel Robinson(Clara) Orla Ryan(Graigue-Ballycallan) Miriam Walsh(Tullaroan
Blackwater Community School Lismore: Tracey Kiely, Shauna Prendergast, Jenny McCarthy, Emma Foley, Jessica Gavin Johnson, Shauna Kieran(co-captain), Sarah Fenton, Marie Russell(co-captain), Michelle Tobin, Aoife Hannon, Jemma Burke, Clara Aarons, Ruth Geoghegan, Caitriona McGlone, Niamh Prendergast,
Referee: John O’Leary(Cork)
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Loreto’s all-Ireland double remains intact following close finish
All-Ireland colleges junior “A” camogie semi-final
Loreto Kilkenny 3-6
St. Patricks Magherafelt 2-7
By Michael O’Leary
An entertaining All-Ireland college’s camogie junior semi-final played in sunny Nowlan Park last Saturday saw the defending All-Ireland junior champions remain on course for their third junior all-Ireland in the space of four years along with the prospects of a junior/senior college’s camogie double. However, they had to endure a somewhat nervy last few moments after a goal in the 4th minute of injury-time from St. Patrick’s sharpshooter Shannon Kearney narrowed the gap, but the Loreto girls held firm following a tough battle. Playing with aid of a first-half breeze, they used the low ball to good effect. A 5th minute goal sent the city girls on their way when Sarah-Anne Quinlan made the run that saw her goal ward shot deflect off the Ulster defender, before Marie Doheny won the race with St. Patricks net minder Eimear Friel in a goalmouth scramble to slot the sliothar into an empty net. 1-0 to 0-0.
Shannon Kearney replied with a 6th minute point for the Ulster school, before having to wait until the 15th minute for the Loreto school to reply with a well taken point from lively midfielder Miriam Walsh. 1-1 to 0-1. Kearney struck over a superb point from an acute angle in the 18th minute, before Loreto struck once more in the 22nd minute.
Good work from Lydia Fitzpatrick and Orla Hanrick set up the advancing SarahAnne Quinlan and her shot was well saved by Eimear Friel who after consultation between the referee and umpires was deemed to have carried the sliothar over the goal-line. 2-1 to 0-2.
Kearney pointed three times from placed balls during the closing ten minutes of the half as Loreto struck once more. Miriam Walsh raced through the St. Patricks defence unmarked as she hand passed the sliothar into an empty net, before Ciara Byrne added a point moments later.
Leading 3-2 to 0-5 at the interval Loreto Kilkenny were in a strong position. Credit to the Magherafelt school for responding as both defences were generally on top during the second-half. Kearney(45) and a Marie Doheny from play exchanged points during the early stages of the second-half, and following a twelve minute scoreless spell between the 33rd and 45th minutes, Clare Burns set up Aoife Duffy for a cracking goal and it was game on. 3-3 to 1-6.
However, Loreto weathered the storm led by the imperious Lydia Fitzpatrick in midfield along with Kate Holland at centre-back and Miriam Walsh in midfield. After Orla Hanrick(45) and Noleen McKenna exchanged points in the 52nd and 55th minutes respectively, Hanrick turned provider to set up SarahAnne Quinlan for an excellent point before Hanrick converted a pointed ’45 in the 3rd minute of stoppage-time.
5 minutes of time added on was played due to the numerous stoppages in the second-half, and despite Shannon Kearney’s late late goal, the Loreto girls held out for a relived victory with a more consistent display required ahead of their All-Ireland final showdown on March 20th.
Meanwhile, Grennan College also qualified for the All-Ireland junior colleges “C” final following a hard fought 3-4 to 2-5 victory over St. Colms school Draperstown in Thomastown last Saturday.
Player of the match: Lydia Fitzpatrick(Loreto Kilkenny)
It was a tough call with strong individual defensive displays on both sides. However, last years Leinster inter-county under-14 winning captain produced an elegant display in midfield. A terrific driving force between defence and attack, Fitzpatrick read the game diligently.
Scorers – Loreto Kilkenny: Miriam Walsh, Marie Doheny + Sarah Anne Quinlan 1-1 each, Orla Hanrick 0-2(both 45s), Ciara Byrne 0-1
St. Patricks(Magherafelt): Shannon Kearney 1-6(0-3 frees 0-1’45), Aoife Duffy 1-0 Noleen McKenna 0-1(’45)
Teams:
Loreto Kilkenny – K. Maher(Dicksboro), K. Doheny(St. Lachtains), Amy Byran(O’Loughlin Gaels), T. Hogan(St. Brigids), R. Lynch(Dicksboro), K. Holland(Lisdowney), T Brennan(Lisdowney), M. Walsh(Tullaroan), L. Fitzpatrick(St. Lachtains), M. Walsh(St. Brigids), SA Quinlan(Young Irelands, Gowran), O. Hanrick (Dicksboro), M. Doheny(St. Brigids), C. Byrne(Clara), A. Buggy(St. Lachtains),
Sub: N. Browne(Dicksboro) for Buggy half-time
St. Patricks Magherafelt – E. Friel, B. Laverty, M. Quinn, A. Coyle, N. Convery, A. Cassidy, S. McPeake, N. McKenna, S. Quinn, C. McCloskey, A. Duffy, C. McKefry, M. McNicholl,
S. Kearney, C. Burns,
Sub: E. Agnew
Referee: Willie Barrett(Tipperary)
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Fitzpatrick hat-trick steers mighty Loreto to Leinster glory
Leinster Colleges' Senior Camogie Roinn A Championmship Final
Loreto Kilkenny 6-12
St. Brigids College(Callan) 0-6
By Michael O'Leary PRO
Loreto Kilkenny landed their win 5th Leinster colleges senior camogie crown as the hat-trick exploits of full-forward heroine Lydia Fitzpatrick contributed to a landslide victory over consecutive defending All-Ireland champions St. Brigids(Callan). From the very first whistle the city school outfit displayed a peak level of hunger that their opponents could never match as they featuredthe backbone of the team that won All-Ireland junior colleges titles in 2007 and 2009.
Centre-forward Claire Phelan opened the scoring with a pointed free, before their early dominance in possession was rewarded via a slice of good fortune in the 6th minute. The industrious Niamh Byrne -superb throughout - raced through the St. Brigids defence and her goalward shot was fumbled by goalkeeper Laura Walker to start the Loreto onslaught.
Walker made amends moments later when denying Aisling O'Grady with a brilliant point-blank slave, before Niamh Byrne turned provider when setting up Fitzpatrick to rifle her shot past Walker in the 8th minute. 2-1 to 0-0 Claire Phelan - a free and a 45 - in the 10th and 14th minutes respectively added to the victors account as a Niamh Dowling point opened the Callan schools total in the 11th minute. However, any signs of a possible St. Brigids comeback were dispelled when Lydia Fitzpatrick bagged her second goal in the 21st minute after excellent work from Nicola Butler and Niamh Byrne. 3-3 to 0-1. Goal number four arrived in the 28th minute when Claire Phelan converted a penalty after Aisling O'Grady was fouled, before the 3rd minute of injury-time saw Fizpatrick complete her golden hat-trick.
A long delivery from Aisling Dunphy was batted clear by Laura Walker, but strong pressurizing saw O'Grady's attempted handpass goal stop short on the goal-line before Fitzpatrick complete the hat-trick connecting with the slightest of touches. 5-5 to 0-3 at the interval and game over. The half-dozen was complete early in the second-half when Walker once again flicked the sliothar clear from Grace Walsh's attempted point. However, the Loreto full-forward line were dangerous all afternoon and the hard-working Aisling O'Grady blasted home a low shot to add her name to the scoring sheet. Further points arrived from O'Grady, Aoife Nolan, Claire Phelan, Aine Curran(2), while substitutes Emma Maher and Emma Comerford also registered on the scoresheet.
A superb team performance from the city school outfit. Niamh Kelly was sturdy at full-back, the half-back line of the tigerish Caoimhe Shiel, Grace Walsh - sister of hurler of the year Tommy - and Nicola Butler were dominantly authorative. Kilkenny senior Inter-county player Aisling Dunphy was captain fantastic in midfield ably assisted by the dogged work-rate of Niamh Byrne, while the attacking sextet plus substitutes contributed 4-8 from play.
Loreto make long journey northwards for their semi-final clash away to St. Patricks Maghera(Derry) provisionally scheduled for 6th February, and featuring a whole host on under-16 and minor All-Ireland medal winners they will take plenty of stopping in search of All-Ireland glory. The defending All-Ireland champions were severely depleted by the absence of Lisa Carey, Mairead Power and Ciara Holden, but they can have no complaints as the power, pace and movement of the city girls proved too hot to handle. The other semi-final also played 6th February between first time Munster champions Blackwater community school Lismore and last years defeated finalists Portumna.
Scorers
Loreto Kilkenny: Lydia Fitzpatrick 3-0 Claire Phelan 1-5(1-0 penalty 0-3 frees 0-1 '45), Ailsing O'Grady 1-1 Niamh Byrne 1-0 Aine Curran 0-2, Aoife Nolan, Orla Hanrick, Emma Maher and Emma Comerford all 0-1 each
St. Brigids(Callan): Anna Farrell 0-3(all frees), Shelley Farrell, Niamh Dowling and Rachel Hogan all 0-1 each
Teams:
Loreto Kilkenny - Sinead Maher(Dicksboro), Stacey Quirke(St. Martins), Niamh Kelly(Dicksboro), Sarah Dunne(Graigue-Ballycallan), Caoimhe Shiel(Bennetsbridge, Grace Walsh(Tullaroan), Nicola Butler(Graigue-Ballycallan), Aisling Dunphy(Graigue-Ballycallan)(capt), Niamh Byrne(Clara), Aine Curran(Freshford), Claire Phelan(Lisdowney), Aoife Nolan(O'Loughlin Gaels), Aisling O'Grady(Dicksboro), Lydia Fitzpatrick), Orla Hanrick(Dicksboro),
Subs: Emma Comerford(Young Irelands Gowran), Laura Hennessy(Graigue-Ballycallan), Kate Holland(Lisdowney), Emma Maher(Freshford),
St. Brigids(Callan) - Laura Walker(Windgap), Nicole Corrway(Thomastown), Aine Manning(Thomastown), Rachel Dowling(Tullaroan), Jenny Logue(Ballingarry), Jennifer Cunningham(Danesfort), Laura Dunne(Danesfort), Anna. Farrell(Thomastown) (capt), Niamh Phelan(Windgap), Niamh Dowling(Tullaroan), Shelly Farrell(Thomastown), Niamh Bambrick(Windgap) Rachel Hogan(Danesfort), Emma Boland(Graigue-Ballycallan), Stacie O'Brien(Slievenamon),
Sub: Lisa Carey(Thomastown)
Referee: Eamonn Mansfield (Cloneen)
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