St Mary's Nenagh fall just short in All Ireland Final

Compiled by Daragh Ó Conchúir

CASTLEKNOCK COMMUNITY SCHOOL won the Masita All-Ireland Post-Primary Schools Senior B title for the first time in their history, thanks to a stunning contribution by inspirational skipper Grace Mulhall.

The Conahy Shamrocks teenager, who provided two goals in her side’s Leinster Final victory and the match-winning major in the All-Ireland Semi-Final, notched up a goal and four points to edge Castlecomer past a gallant St Marys Nenagh by 2-6 to 0-7 at the St Rynagh’s grounds in Banagher.

The Tipperary outfit had the benefit of a strong wind in the first half and quickly set about opening up a significant gap, leading by four points by the end of the opening quarter.

Perhaps the crucial score of the game arrived before half time, when Mulhall’s free from distance was finished to the net by Amy Brennan to leave the deficit at just a point at the interval, 0-6 to 1-2.

Mulhall brought the sides level and they were still deadlocked until the final quarter, as points from Maeve Walsh and Carlisle Comerford (free) moved ‘Comer ahead before Mulhall made sure with her goal, capitalising on the industry of Brennan and Walsh.

Caoimhe Perdue helped herself to four goals as Cashel Community School were triumphant 6-10 to 0-1 over St Pius Derry in the C Final.

Cashel led by 4-7 to 0-0 at the change of ends, full-forward Perdue grabbing two of her goals, and Grace Moloney and Leah Baskin claiming the others, while Karin Blair hit four points.

Anna Cassidy pointed a free for St Pius early in the second half but Perdue completed her hat-trick after a powerful run, raising her fourth green flag three minutes from time.

In the Senior D decider, Finia O’Brien contributed a goal and seven points as Coláiste Mhuire Ennis prevailed in a very entertaining affair against St Patricks Dungannon by 2-8 to 1-6 at Hawkfield in Newbridge.

The Shannonsiders laid the foundation for their success in the opening period, at the end of which they led by 1-6 to 0-2, with Ellen Casey scoring the goal.

St Patricks dug very deep in the second half, Reagan Faye and Sian Fitzgerald registering points, but when O’Brien sent the net billowing, they had the important margin that allowed them to ship a late goal from Francine Farley.

 

Full report in next Wednesday's Guardian