Roscrea edged out in All Ireland final

CAMOGIE: Tesco All-Ireland Post Primary Senior ‘C’ Final

St Killian’s College, New Inn 2-9

Colaiste Phobal Ros Cre 0-13

Report: Liam Hogan in Banagher

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Caoimhe Kelly (St. Killian’s College)

SCORERS - St Killian’s College: Caoimhe Kelly 2-5 (0-4 frees, 0-1 ‘45); Heather Curley 0-2; Shannon Corcoran, Sinead Daly 0-1 each.

Colaiste Phobal Ros Cre: Andrea Scully 0-8 (5 frees); Leah Ryan 0-3; Laura Hogan, Molly Loughnane 0-1 each.

The concession of two goals inside three second half minutes saw Colaiste Phobal Roscrea’s hopes of All-Ireland glory disappear at the hands of St Killian’s College New Inn, last Wednesday.

The Munster champions had one hand on the cup as they began to ease away from the Connacht champions as they led 0-11 to 0-5 with eleven minutes remaining. However, the Galway side had other plans and some clever positional changes plus having a leader up front in Caoimhe Kelly who held her nerve to score two quick goals to turn the game on its head.

The two goals sent the game into orbit as both sets of supporters urged their team on with Roscrea cutting back the lead to the minimum on two occasions before Kelly topped a class performance with a 45 to seal victory.

It was a very delightful game with plenty skill involving a lot of hooking and blocking, ability to catch highball which was very evident and lengthy striking. That it was such an enjoyable game won’t interest Roscrea now. There was a huge disappointment because they had the players with Ciara & Alice Maher to the fore in the backline, well assisted by the excellent Nicola Cleary at centre back. Khya Lynch and Jessica Kelly provided much support on the wings while Kelsey Wing and Orlaith Phelan edged midfield. The attack depended a lot on Andrea Scully who was the sides top scorer with right points, three from play, while Leah Ryan came good in the second half when she picked three points. Both Laura Hogan and sub Molly Loughnane also did well.

Overall, the Tipp side edged the game in terms of possession throughout the first half, but credit is due to the St Killian’s defence in keeping scoreline low as Reitseil Kelly, Saoirse Duhan, Ciara McGrath and Sinead Daly put their bodies on the line. Their ability to dispossess with clever stickwork was noteworthy and Melissa McDonnell was exceptional at wing back. Team captain Aishling Dillon had her moments at midfield but up front the game was won in the last quarter as Shannon Corcoran caused endless problems outside the forty and reduced the effect that Nicola Cleary had on the game up to then. It was then that St. Killian’s decided in allowing Caoimhe Kelly to operate as a lone full forward and she used the space to score the two goals and help herself to 2-5 in a player of the match performance.

Students from both schools occupied much of the stand in Banagher and their singing and banter created a great atmosphere. The game began at a lively pace. Both sets of forwards had chances but both the respective defences stood firm before the deadlock was broken after Caoimhe Kelly gave the Galway side the lead with a free in the fifth minute before Heather Curley doubled the lead with a great point in the 13th minute. One minute later, Colaiste Phobal got their first score through Andrea Scully from play but with less possession St. Killian’s were the more efficient as Caoimhe Kelly (free) and Heather Curley stretched their lead to three with nineteen minutes gone.

However, a close range free from Scully plus a fine point by Laura Hogan brought Roscrea to within the minimum and five minutes from the break they were on level terms after Scully scored her third after arching in on goal with s fine solo run and at half time it was Colaiste Phobal 0-5 St. Killian’s 0-4.

At the interval Colaiste Phobal had Isobel O’Meara replaced by Molly Loughnane and she moved into centre forward with Laura Hogan moving to left wing. Andrea Scully increased the Roscrea lead after 57 seconds and they began to gain momentum with Leah Ryan increasing the margin with two well taken scores in as many minutes.

St. Killian’s had to wait until the 39th minute before Shannon Corcoran scored. She had by then moved out to the half forward line in a bid to curb the influence of Nicola Cleary, but the plan failed to diminish the threat from Roscrea up front as the lead increased to five after Andrea Scully and Molly Loughnane found the target.

With fifteen minutes left, and 0-10 to 0-5 in front, things looked good for Colaiste Phobal. Caoimhe Kelly’s pointed free kept St. Killian’s within reach but any sense of danger to the Tipp side was gone when Leah Ryan responded with her third point after a well organised move involving Laura Hogan and Emily Doughan. Ryan was unlucky as her shot screamed inches over the bar.

But anything can happen in a game of hurling. Once again, Caoimhe Kelly led the charge for St. Killian’s with a pointed free in the 49th minute and three minutes later she was on the move when suddenly, a well-placed handpass from Shannon Corcoran had the Killian’s full forward through on goal before she was fouled but manged to scramble the ball low past Grace Moloney. Referee Cathal Groome considered giving a penalty but after consultation with his umpires he allowed the goal to stand.

It was game on as three minutes of action ensued before Kelly broke inside the Roscrea cover to score her second goal following an assist from her sister Laoise. It was 2-7 to 0-11 with five remaining.

One minute later, the impressive Andrea Scully won a close in free and reduced the margin to one, but the margin was out to two again when wing back Sinead Daly found the target from outfield.

Two-point leads are always dangerous and Colaiste Phobal came in search of a goal but could only manage a point from Andrea Scully.

St. Killian’s hit back and after winning a 45, Caoimhe Kelly (daughter to coach Padraig Kelly), displayed nerves of steel when she split the posts from the dead ball. St. Killian’s had won the day in dramatic style, their first ever All-Ireland win.

TEAMS - St Killian’s College, New Inn: Bronagh Deeley; Saoirse Duhan, Reitseil Kelly, Mikayla Noone; Sinead Daly, Ciara McGrath, Melissa McDonnell; Aisling Dillon (capt), Emma Fahy; Laura Kenny, Shauna Fahy, Heather Curley; Grace Morrissey, Shannon Corcoran, Caoimhe Kelly.

Sub: Laoise McGrath for E Fahy (29); Amy Hawkins for Morrissey (41).

Colaiste Phobal Ros Cre: Grace Mulrooney (Portroe); Rebecca Murphy (St Cronan’s), Ciara Maher (Moneygall), Alice Maher (Moneygall); Jessica Kelly (St Cronan’s), Nicola Cleary (Shinrone), Khya Lynch (St Cronan’s); Kelsey Wing (St Cronan’s), Orlagh Phelan (Naomh Brid, Coolderry); Leah Ryan (Shinrone), Laura Hogan (St Cronan’s), Isabel O’Meara (Moneygall); Emily Doughan (Shinrone), Caoimhe Flannery (J-capt, St Cronan’s), Andrea Scully (J-capt, Camross).

Sub: Molly Loughnane (St Cronan’s) for Fahy (HT).

Referee: Ciaran Groome (Offaly).