Ursuline top Pres in Thurles derby final

CAMOGIE: Munster Post Primary Schools Junior ‘A’ Championship Final

Ursuline SS, Thurles 1-7

Presentation SS, Thurles 0-4

A large crowd gathered at the County Camogie Grounds The Ragg on Saturday for the Munster Post Primary Schools Junior ‘A’ Camogie Final, a highly anticipated all-Thurles derby between the Ursuline and Presentation Secondary Schools.

In the build-up, the contest was widely regarded as an impossible game to call, and the opening half did nothing to separate the sides.

Presentation opened the scoring after three minutes when Neasa Dwan split the posts with a well-struck free. The Ursuline responded through Jessie Shanahan, but Dwan added two further frees to restore Pres’ advantage.

Shortly afterwards, Sara Jayne Ormond, excellent alongside Mairead Duggan in midfield, went for goal, only to be denied by a superb save from Ursuline goalkeeper Lara Shanahan. Pres converted the resulting 45 through Neasa Dwan to make it 0-4 to 0-1.

That would prove to be their final score in the half, as the Ursuline finished strongly with two well-taken frees from Mel Flannery to reduce the deficit to 0-4 to 0-3 at half time.

Presentation looked solid down the middle, with Saoirse Maher in control at full-back, Laoise McCahey and Nicole Tarrant commanding the half-back line, and Neasa Dwan a constant threat at centre-forward.

The second half however belonged entirely to Ursuline. The team came out with renewed energy after the break, with Kate Duffy powering into the game at midfield and Jessie Shanahan and Mel Flannery causing real problems in attack.

In the 39th minute, Shanahan made an excellent catch and followed up with a long strike that found the net, giving the Ursuline the momentum they needed.

Flannery then struck two successful frees, and a further effort from Shanahan went over the bar. Mel Flannery finished the scoring to see Ursuline claim a convincing six point victory.

Presentation battled hard right to the final whistle, with Nicole Tarrant and Mairead Duggan driving forward in search of scores.

However, Ursuline’s Lorna Ryan was brilliant, excelling in her free role and defensive duties, leaving Presentation unable to break through for a second-half score. Rosie O’Brien played a captain’s role from the number 6 spot.

Player of the Match: Lorna Ryan (Ursuline SS, Thurles)

Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles: Lara Shanahan (Slieve Felim Rapparees); Lorna Ryan (Templemore), Laura Millea (Tullaroan), Amy Lee (Holycross/Ballycahill); Claire Fitzgerald (St Patrick’s), Rosie O’Brien (St Patrick’s J-Capt), Rosanna King (St Mary’s Rosslare); Kate Duffy (Burgess/Duharra), Emer Purcell (Thurles Sarsfields); Meadhbh Lonergan (Cahir), Emma Bevans (Borris-Ileigh), Jessie Shanahan (Slieve Felim Rapparees, J-Capt, 1-2, 0-1f), Mel Flannery (Cahir, 0-5f), Saoirse Deegan (Thurles Sarsfields), Molly Jones (Moyne-Templetuohy).

Sub: Shona Murray (Thurles Sarsfields) for Lonergan.

Presentation Secondary School, Thurles: Emma Flynn (Rockwell Rovers); Lily Kelly (Moycarkey/Borris), Saoirse Maher (Boherlahan-Dualla), Maebh Browne (Slieve Felim Rapparees); Laoise McCahey (Thurles Sarsfields), Nicole Tarrant (Boherlahan-Dualla), Eilis Browne (Slieve Felim Rapparees); Mairead Duggan (St Anne’s, Capt), Sara Jane Ormond (Drom & Inch); Mae Kennedy (Boherlahan-Dualla), Neasa Dwan (Boherlahan-Dualla 0-4f), Cara Butler (Drom & Inch); Sarah O’Sullivan (Cashel King Cormacs), Kayelyn Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields), Ellie Cahill (Drom & Inch).

Sub: Katie Butler (Thurles Sarsfields) for Butler.

Referee: Cathal Egan (Cork).