Cashel thwart Carnew in decider
CASHEL COMMUNITY SCHOOL 2-13 COLAISTE BHRIDE (CARNEW) 3-6
THE FINAL hurdle of the Tesco All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Junior ‘B’ camogie final proved too high for the gallant Coláiste Bhríde (Carnew) team as they fell to a class Cashel Community School in Heywood, Co. Laois, recently.
Backboned by a strong Co. Wexford contingent, the Wicklow school accounted for Gorey C.S. in the Leinster final and Maryfield College of Drumcondra in the All-Ireland semi-final, but they met a Tipperary outfit who were operating on a higher level in terms of camogie ability in the decider.
That being said, had circumstances transpired slightly differently in an action-packed second-half, the game was very much there for the taking for Bob Fitzgerald’s side who had the advantage of a wicked wind in that second period.
That wind disadvantage in the first-half and a very slow start for the Carnew students allowed a flying Cashel Community School side open up a 2-10 to 1-3 lead by the break, with a late goal from the excellent Grace Maloney sickening the Coláiste Bhríde challenge right at the death of the opening half.
With the wind at their backs in the second-half, the Coláiste Bhríde outfit began to pepper the Cashel goals.
And they were rewarded with two fortunate Sarah Doyle majors from frees as a big chink in the Tipp school’s armour was highlighted, that being the goalkeeper Evelyn Gayson-Molloy who seemed terribly uncomfortable under high balls.
These goals pulled Coláiste Bhríde right back into the game but, try as they might to raise more green flags, they failed as the Cashel defence proved more than capable having learnt the lesson the hard way.
Cashel lifted the siege at a key juncture in the second-half with fine scores against the wind, and time ran out for the Coláiste Bhríde girls.
Despite the defeat, there were super performances from Craanford’s Melissa Doran at full-back and Kilrush’s Karen Tomkins at centre-back, while Craanford’s Sarah Doyle bagged the entire tally of 3-6 on the day which, while hugely impressive, also shines a light on one of the massive deficiencies in the team.
An amazing journey ends for the Coláiste Bhríde girls who now make the step up to the ‘A’ championship with all but four of this current panel eligible for selection next season.
Coláiste Bhríde (Carnew): Kate Butler; Anna Tomkins, Melissa Doran, Kayla Tighe; Aoife Kinsella, Karen Tomkins, Ciara Wafer; Eimer Mutton, Róisín Byrne; Saoirse Kenny, Laci Jane Shannon, Jade Shannon; Sarah Doyle (3-6, 2-3 frees, 0-1 ‘45), Hannah Redmond, Sadhbh Buttle. Sub. - Shauna O’Shea for Tighe (HT).
Cashel Community School: Evelyn Gayson-Molloy; Ella O’Dwyer, Ciara Gahan, Aoife White; Katelyn Downey, Lily Fahy (0-2, 1 free, 1 ‘45), Lida Blair; Emma Horgan, Lucy Fogarty (0-2); Grace Moloney (1-3), Alessia Mazzola (0-1), Ellie Butler (0-1); Lisa O’Connor (1-3, 0-2 frees), Kelli Browne, Anna Fahie (0-1).
Referee: Martin Conroy (Offaly).