O’Brien turns tide
Eimear inspires Coláiste Bhríde
COLÁISTE BHRÍDE BLESSINGTON CC 3-9 2-6
THE final of the Co. Wicklow Post Primary Schools girls Senior football ‘A’ championship took place on Wednesday last in Baltinglass between Coláiste Bhríde who were seeking a fourth title in a row and an up and coming Blessington CC side.
The pitch was in very good condition considering all the recent rain and thankfully the rain held off for the duration of the game.
The game was only two minutes on when joint captain Siofra Byrne of Coláiste Bhríde opened the scoring with a point. However, a few minutes later an incisive run by Blessington’s Anna Vasiljeva saw her find the net.
In an exciting free flowing game the sides were level after 16 minutes on a score of 0-4 to the Carnew school and 1-1 to Blessington. Soon after that a Blessington shot for a point hit the post and the ball rebounded to the quick thinking Sine O’Neill who shot to the net. Anna Vasiljeva added a point so with eight minutes of the half remaining Blessington led by 2-2 to 0-4.
Coláiste Bhríde needed inspiration at this stage and it was midfielder Eimear O’Brien who provided it. Having sent a free over the bar she took control from a short Blessington kick out and scored a good goal. The same player added another point before half time at which stage Coláiste Bhríde held a narrow 1-6 to 2-2 lead.
The Carnew school had the lions share of possession in the second half but in the first 18 minutes only added two Eimear O’Brien points which were cancelled out by replies from Niamh Cullen and Aoife Richardson.
Blessington midfielder Anna
Vasiljeva was sent to the sin bin and soon after that strong Coláiste Bhríde pressure led to a penalty which Zoe Katus sent to the net and almost immediately substitute Kasey Byrne added another goal.
The margin was now eight points but Blessington never gave up and mounted some strong attacks, adding two Ellie McKeever points.
When referee Terry Canavan blew the final whistle it was Denis Finn’s Coláiste Bhríde who were deserving winners but the Blessington school coached by Caitriona McKeon pushed them all the way.
After the game the cup was presented to the joint captains Siofra Byrne and Aisling Winterbotham by Jim Murphy.
Scorers – Coláiste Bhríde Carnew: Eimear O’Brien 1-5, Zoe Katus 1-1, Kasey Byrne 1-0, Siofra Byrne, Keelan Stafford, Danielle Lambe 0-1 each.
Blessington CC: Anna Vasiljeva 1-2, Sine O’Neill 1-0, Ellie McKeever 0-2, Niamh Cullen, Aoife Richardson 0-1 each.
OTHER RESULTS
St Kevin’s CC Dunlavin qualified for the girls Junior ‘A’ football final with a win over Gaelcholáiste na Mara from Arklow. In the final they will play the winner of the other semi-final between Coláiste Bhríde Carnew and Blessington CC
In the Junior ‘B’ semi-final, Colaiste Chraobh Abhann Kilcoole defeated Colaiste Chill Mhantain by 5-14 to 2-2
CAMOGIE
Newcomers Colaiste Raithin from Bray travelled to Dunlavin to take on the holders St Kevin’s CC Dunlavin but went down by 5-4 to 0-2. In the final they will meet the winner of the postponed semi-final between Avondale and GCM.