All-Ireland glory for Our Lady’s

Our Lady’s Secondary School Templemore claimed their first All-Ireland Schools Senior Camogie crown since 2014 when they defeated Our Lady of Lourdes, Rosbercon-New Ross, to claim the Donal Burke Cup on Saturday.

CAMOGIE: Allianz All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Senior ‘A’ Final

Our Lady’s SS, Templemore 1-14

OLL, Rosbercon-New Ross 0-9

Report: Ronan Loughnane in Johnstown

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Caithlyn Treacy (Our Lady's SS Templemore).

SCORERS – Our Lady’s SS Templemore: Eimear Hassett 1-8 (0-5 frees); Caithlyn Treacy 0-4 (1 free); Shona McBride, Stephanie Treacy 0-1 each.

Our Lady’s of Lourdes, New Ross: Amy Cody 0-5 (4 frees); Laura Doherty 0-4 (1 free).

Ultimately it was their ability to take their scores from play when the opportunities arose that proved the difference between the sides. It certainly didn’t look that way in the opening minutes as the Kilkenny/Wexford girls started brightly with Amy Cody landing the opening score from play inside 23 seconds and Laura Doherty doubling their lead in the fourth minute.

Incredibly that was to be their last score from play as Templemore, aided by a very strong breeze, completely took over. Caithlyn Treacy moved to midfield at the throw-in with Shona McBride switching to wing forward and these two caused endless problems for the Rosbercon defence.

Their dominance ensured a plentiful supply of ball to Eimear Hassett at full-forward and she steadied the ship with a goal in the fifth minute. By the end of the opening quarter, she had added four more points (2 frees) along with Treacy’s first to leave Our Lady’s 1-5 to 0-2 ahead.

They were in complete control by now with the New Ross puckout in serious trouble. Stephanie Treacy had a great goal chance saved in the 16th minute before the impressive McBride added a point a minute later. Caithlyn Treacy (3), Hassett (2) and Stephanie Treacy all pointed to leave Our Lady’s way out in front at the break, 1-12 to 0-3.

Turning to play with the breeze one would have expected an early New Ross charge, but two Hassett frees in the opening six minutes extended Our Lady’s lead to fourteen points and effectively killed the game.

While Templemore would not score again, their defence stood up and defended stoutly, limiting their opponents to six pointed frees. Mary Breslin and Tara Hoare were very strong at the heart of the defence while Katie Nevin, Caroline Johnston, Katie Hanrahan, and Aoife Bergin gave very little away. Anna Cribbin was solid in goals, Orfhlaith Bergin was effective in her sweeper role while the three Ciara’s (Walsh, Kennedy, and Cahill) worked tirelessly throughout.

Rosbercon/New Ross had no answer to the power of Caithlyn Treacy while her twin sister Stephanie contributed handsomely to the win. Shona McBride’s endless running tormented the Wexford defence while Eimear Hassett always took the right option, ending the day with 1-8 to her name.

There were great celebrations in Templemore after the game as the Thomas McDonagh Pipe Band paraded the girls up the town square and into the school where the Bourke brothers, Martin & Seamus, gave a rousing rendition of Sliabh na mBan.

Well done to all the panel and the management team of Avril Kinnerk, Amy Quinlan, Aoife Campion, Declan Leamy and Ciara Bourke. From an observer’s viewpoint it was disappointing to see no tri-colour flying on All-Ireland final day, while we also had no official linesmen or scoreboard.

TEAMS – Our Lady’s Secondary School, Templemore: Anna Cribbin (St. Brigid’s, Errill 6); Kate Nevin (Templemore 7), Mary Breslin (Clonakenny 6), Caroline Johnston (Templemore 6), Katie Hanrahan (St. Brigid’s Errill 6), Tara Hoare (Drom & Inch 8), Aoife Bergin (Templemore 7), Ciara Walsh (Templemore 6), Shona McBride (Templemore 7), Ciara Kennedy (Templemore 6), Caithlyn Treacy (Moneygall 9), Stephanie Treacy (Moneygall 6), Orfhlaith Bergin (Templemore 6), Eimear Hassett (St. Brigid’s Errill 9), Ciara Cahill (Drom & Inch 6).

Subs: Julie Grey (Templemore 6) for Kennedy (50); Annie Phelan (Slieve Felim Rapparees 6) for Hanrahan (53); Laurie Mullins (Drom & Inch NR) for McBride (60 inj).

Our Lady of Lourdes, Rosbercon-New Ross: Amy Kent (6); Lily Doyle (6), Aoibhinn Cooper (6), Sinead Jones (7); Oonagh Malone (7), Sara-May Walsh (7), Aoife Dooley (6), Maeve Bookle (6), Eabha Mullally (7), Ava O’Leary (6), Amy Cody (Capt 8), Emily Kinsella (6), Laura Doherty (7), Niamh English (6), Eve Prendergast (6).

Sub: Ciara Walsh (6) for Kinsella (54).

Referee: John O’Leary (Cork).