Portumna rally to eclipse Templemore in All-Ireland Final
CAMOGIE: All Ireland Post Primary Schools Senior ‘C’ Final
Portumna CS 1-11
Our Lady’s SS, Templemore 0-8
Report: Ronan Loughnane at McDonagh Park, Nenagh
Photos: Rose Mannion
MATCH DIGEST
Player of the Match: Katie Lawless (Portumna CS)
SCORERS – Portumna CS: Katie Lawless 0-6 (5 frees); Neisha Scott 1-1; Emma Callinan 0-2; Kate O’Sullivan, Nessa Bloomer 0-1 each.
Our Lady’s SS, Templemore: Ciara Cahill 0-6 (4 frees); Caithlyn Treacy, Michelle Lee 0-1 each.
A strong second half showing from Portumna Community School proved the catalyst to All-Ireland glory as they overcame the stubborn challenge of Our Lady’s Secondary School, Templemore on Saturday last to lift the Lily Spence Cup.
Our Lady’s were pursuing a unique double having captured All-Ireland ‘D’ glory in 2024 and the loss of Portumna’s leading forward, Ava Bloomer, to a hand injury in the lead up to the game certainly boosted their prospects.
The Munster champions also played with wind advantage in the opening half and started in very lively fashion with Ciara Cahill in scintillating form. Two excellent runs led to two smashing points from play in the opening five minutes and Templemore looked the more likely at this stage.
However, despite the loss of Bloomer, Portumna were in no mood to roll over and they battled extremely hard for each ball. Still Templemore had the lion’s share of possession, but the free-taking that served them so well in their semi-final victory over Heywood College deserted them in the opening quarter with Cahill missing three scoreable opportunities inside eleven minutes.
Katie Lawless was a powerhouse for the Galway side throughout and she opened their scoring with a point from a free in the eight minute before tying up the game at 0-2 apiece in the 21st minute.
The game had hit a scoring lull before Caitylyn Treacy registered Our Lady’s first score in 24 minutes when she pointed a free in the 29th minute. The hard-working Emma Callanan grabbed Portumna’s first score from play in the 31st minute before a Cahill free on 34 minutes left Our Lady’s 0-4 to 0-3 ahead at the short whistle.
While not howling, the breeze was stiffish, but Our Lady’s played their best camogie into it in the opening ten minutes of the second half. Michelle Lee pointed when she should have goaled in the 33rd minute and Cahill got her free-taking back on track with points in the 37th & 40th minute.
Leading 0-7 to 0-3 with twenty minutes to go, Templemore had all the momentum and looked the more likely to triumph with the Portumna attack looking toothless without Bloomer. But when their need was greatest they sprung to life with the other Bloomer, Nessa, landing a great score from play in the 42nd minute.
She won the next ball too which led to a converted free from Katie Lawless before Emma Callanan was on hand to land her second from play in the 44th minute, and in the blink of an eye the lead was down to one.
Tara Kelly and Lorrha and Tipperary minor Emma Kennedy were outstanding in the Portumna defence and did much to curb the influence of Ciara Cahill in the Templemore attack.
The game was level on 45 minutes with another Lawless free before substitute Neisha Scott made her presence felt in the 48th minute to give Portumna the lead.
Ciara Cahill earned and converted a free for Our Lady’s in the 50th minute to stop the rot but the momentum had shifted completely and Portumna would not be stopped.
The final thirteen minutes saw them hit 1-3 without reply thanks to scores from Lawless (2), Kate O’Sullivan and the icing on the cake, a goal from Neisha Scott, to put them six points clear on the last blow of referee Kieran Dooley’s whistle.
Portumna Community School were deserving winners of a hard-fought contest which was ultimately decided once their forwards kicked into gear in the final twenty minutes. Goalkeeper Leah Horan was solid with excellent delivery on her puckout, Roisin Power was dominant at full back while Tara Kelly and Emma Kennedy at half-back were outstanding.
Katie Lawless at midfield gets the nod as player of the match for sheer hard work and determination from first minute to last. Up front, Nessa Bloomer and Emma Callanan were excellent while substitute Neisha Scott did what every sub is sent in to do, make a difference.
Our Lady’s Templemore worked very hard throughout the game but perhaps Portumna’s will to win was slightly higher on the day. They will rue those missed frees in the opening half which were opportunities to build a handsome lead.
Orfhlaith Bergin, Caithlyn Treacy and Kate Nevin played well in the backs while upfront Ciara Cahill was easily their best player with an excellent display, but the lack of scoring power around her proved costly.
Well done also to the Nenagh Eire Og club who were well organised on the day while it was also pleasing to see a full team of officials on duty.
TEAMS – Portumna Community School: Leah Horan (Killimor 6); Ailbhe Kenny (Portumna 6), Roisin Power (Davitts 7), Zoe O’Brien (Davitts 6); Tara Kelly (Portumna 8), Emma Kennedy (Lorrha 8), Makayla Malone (Killimor 6); Eve Kennedy (Portumna 6), Katie Lawless (Portumna 8); Addyson Darcy (Killimor 6), Kate O’Sullivan (Killimor 6), Cara O’Brien (Davitts 6); Samantha Hogan (Portumna 6), Nessa Bloomer (Portumna 7), Emma Callinan (Killimor 7).
Subs: Neisha Scott (Portumna 8) for Hogan (44); Aoibhe Power (Davitts NR) for Malone (60 inj).
Our Lady’s Secondary School, Templemore: Anna Cribbin (St. Brigid’s 6); Orfhlaith Bergin (Templemore 7), Mary Breslin (Clonakenny 6), Caroline Johnston (Templemore 6); Aoibhe Matthews (Roscrea 6), Caithlyn Treacy (Moneygall 7), Kate Nevin (Templemore 6); Julie Grey (Templemore 6), Stephanie Treacy (Moneygall 6), Brid Delaney (Templemore 6), Michelle Lee (Slieve Felim Rapparees 6), Ciara Cahill (Drom & Inch 7), Laurie Mullen (Drom & Inch 6), Annie Phelan (Slieve Felim Rapparees 6), Emily Ryan (St. Brigid’s 6).
Subs: Nicole Buckley (Templemore 6) for Ryan (26); Amy Cahill (Drom & Inch NR) for Mullen (60+5 inj).
Referee: Kieran Dooley (Offaly).