Pres turn tables on Ursuline in Munster Final
CAMOGIE: Munster Post Primary Schools Senior ‘A’ Final
Presentation SS, Thurles 3-9
Ursuline SS, Thurles 0-14
Report: Michael Dundon At the County Camogie Grounds
MATCH DIGEST
Player of the Match: Elana McGrath (Presentation SS, Thurles)
SCORERS – Presentation SS: Anna O’Brien 2-0; Elana McGrath 0-5 (3 frees); Ciara Shelly 1-2; Lucy O’Brien, Grace Flanagan 0-1 each.
Ursuline SS: Caoimhe Stakelum 0-7 frees; Lucy Purcell frees, Orla Ryan 0-2 each; Isabelle Carr, Jane Corcoran, Kate Dowling 0-1 each.
Ursuline Secondary School Thurles’ bid for a third successive Munster Post Primary Schools Senior ‘A’ Camogie title came unstuck on Saturday where they had to give best to town rivals Presentation Secondary School side that carried the bigger threat up front.
This Thurles derby, a repeat of last year’s final, did not disappoint as the sides gave it everything in a gripping encounter, but this time the honours went Presentation’s way, their ability to get goals giving them a decisive edge over their neighbours.
It was Presentation’s fourth time winning the title, first since 2018 and they laid down a marker from the start with an Anna O’Brien goal after three minutes. That was a vital score playing into the fresh breeze, and it took the Ursuline until the eighteenth minute to level, 0-5 to 1-2, Caoimhe Stakelum (3 frees) and Orla Ryan (2) getting their points. At half-time they led 0-7 to 0-6, with further points from Stakelum but a one point lead was never going to be enough given the strength of the breeze.
Five minutes into the second half, Presentation went ahead with another Anna O’Brien goal, after good work by Lucy Callanan and the ball was now very much in Presentation’s court.
Ursuline did not wilt, however, Isabelle Carr pointed and Caoimhe Stakelum added two further points as they chased down their rivals who, with Elana McGrath having a huge influence, had points from her, Grace Flanagan, and Ciara Shelly to keep their opponents at arm’s length.
The killer blow came in the fiftieth minute when midfielder Ciara Shelly broke through for Presentation’s third goal and a 3-7 to 0-11 lead.
Once more, Ursuline fought back but time was now against them and with Caoimhe Stakelum now the worst for wear after shipping some heavy tackles, Lucy Purcell took on the free-taking role, landing two, not enough to stop the Presentation girls lifting the trophy.
A big win for Presentatio who now go forward to the All-Ireland Series. Elana McGrath’s attacking flair and Neasa Dwan’s towering defensive play were key factors in their win with Leanna Coppinger, Una Duggan, Anna O Brien, Emer Dwan and the Shelly girls also leading by example.
Caoimhe Stakelum was Ursuline’s stand-out player, but Lucy Purcell, Orla Ryan, Isabelle Carr, Emma Corcoran, and Maria Ralph also had big games.
TEAMS – Presentation Secondary School, Thurles: Danielle Butler (Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill 6); Leanna Coppinger (Thurles Sarsfields 7),Una Duggan (St Anne’s 7), Mairead Duggan (St Anne’s 6); Caitlin Shelly (Moycarkey/Borris 7), Eva Ralph (Moycarkey/Borris 6), Neasa Dwan (Boherlahan-Dualla 8); Ciara Shelly (Moycarkey/Borris 8), Aoife O’Grady (St Anne’s 6); Lucy O’Brien (St Patrick’s 6), Emer Dwan (Cashel 6), Elana McGrath (Holycross/Ballycahill 9); Anna O’Brien (Cashel King Cormacs 7), Lucy Callanan (Moycarkey/Borris 6), Grace Flanagan (Cashel King Cormacs 6).
Subs: Sophie Lee (Holycross/Ballycahill 6) for Flanagan (43); Roisin Burns (Lisdowney 6) for A O’Brien (55).
Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles: Roisin Ferncombe (Clonoulty/Rossmore 7); Maria Ralph (Thurles Sarsfields 6), Roisin Duffy (Burgess/Duharra 6), Moya Brennan (St Anne’s 6); Ella Frend (Toomevara 6), Lucy Purcell (Thurles Sarsfields 7), Niamh Lanigan (Gortnahoe/Glengoole 6); Isabelle Carr (Holycross/Ballycahill 7), Emma Corcoran (Moycarkey/Borris 7); Orla Ryan (Clonoulty/Rossmore 7), Caoimhe Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields 8), Jane Corcoran (Moycarkey/Borris 6); Clodagh Ryan (Clonoulty/Rossmore 6), Ava Bevans (Borris-Ileigh 6), Kate Dowling (Moycarkey/Borris 6).
Subs: Rosie O’Brien (St Patrick’s 6), for Lanigan (HT); Amy O’Connor (Cahir 6) for Brennan (42).
Referee: Cathal Egan (Cork).