Pres Seniors secure the double as the Mitchelstown march drives on
Pres Mitchelstown 7-11 Nenagh College 0-4
After securing county honours eight days previously, the games kept coming thick and fast for Presentation Secondary School, Mitchelstown. However, nothing was getting in their way as the senior side completed a camogie, Cork and Munster, double in Nenagh last Sunday.
Following on from last Saturday’s success in Mallow, Pres turned their attention to West Cork opposition on Wednesday as they faced St. Brogans, Bandon in a Munster semi-final at Mitchelstown GAA pitch. After a slow start, where Bandon threatened the goal on many occasions, Pres led by the minimum at half-time, 1-10 to 3-3, and had the free taking of Thea Coleman to thank for this narrow lead.
A slow start was understandable taking in account the amount of mileage acquired on the clock so far this school year, but things settled quickly in the second half and early goals from Ciara Condon, Aoife Moriarty, and Isobel O’Donnell put some supremacy on the scoreboard. Pres never looked back after the three green flags and ran out winners, 4-20 to 4-4, to book a place in the final with Nenagh College.
Having travelled to Mallow for an away final the previous week, Pres were back on the road again and this time it was to North Tipperary. After many calls and messages were exchanged, a late decision was made to play the game on Sunday, January 30th. Pres set off for Nenagh full of confidence and set on claiming further honours.
Rain and mist began to descend in Nenagh on arrival which led to a more physical encounter but after a tough first half, Pres continued their habit of pulling away from teams in the second half. The first half was dominant, but scores were hard to come by as Nenagh battled hard and did not give Pres any easy possessions.
An unusual name broke the deadlock for Pres when full-back, and captain, Shauna Cremins struck a long range free very well and with the wet and slippery conditions in play, the ball skidded straight to the net to give Pres a great start.
Ciara Ryan then turned the Nenagh defence exquisitely before burying her shot to the corner to give Pres another goal and soon after, a goalmouth scramble ended with Rachel Mulqueen poking the ball to the net to give Pres a three-goal advantage. Four further points were added before half-time as the ever-so dominant Pres half-forward line of Aoibhe Maher, Isobel O’Donnell, and Aoife Moriarty grabbed a foothold on proceedings.
A half-time score of 3-4 to 0-2 set Pres up well for the second half where they found some extra gears. The Pres panel showed in strength and depth yet again as the first substitute in, Sarah English, pulled first time on a breaking ball to add another goal to the Pres tally. The game then began to open up and Pres continued to create chances, while the defence stood firm yet again.
Nenagh were attacking but the Pres rearguard repelled at every opportunity with all defenders really excelling. The game turned on an Isobel O’Donnell point, which came from the defiant defending at the other end. It was a score that embedded all aspects of the team and it was at this point that the floodgates began to open.
Aoife Moriarty added a goal, and Isobel O’Donnell added two more to virtually end the game as a contest. Subs entered the fray, but the team never weakened. Some fine scores were added and the game ended 7-11 to 0-4. The full-time whistle gave an opportunity for the full panel and parents to celebrate and take photos. It was a long journey home for the Pres girls, but an enjoyable one.
Attention now turns to the junior team who play Pres Ballingarry in a Munster semi-final on Tuesday, February 1st. The three-in-a-row milestone is in sight for Pres Mitchelstown. They have beaten all they have faced so far this year, and two more hurdles stand in the way of a potential clean sweep. What a year it has been so far.
Presentation Mitchelstown – Ali O’Donnell; Ciara Murphy, Shauna Cremins (1-0), Dearbhla Kearney; Anna French, Orla O’Connell, Rachael Mullins; Thea Coleman (0-1), Niamh Mullins; Aoibhe Maher (0-2), Isobel O’Donnell (2-3), Aoife Moriarty (1-2); Leah O’Sullivan, Ciara Ryan (1-0), Rachel Mulqueen (1-1). Subs – Sarah English (1-2) for Leah O’Sullivan, Theresa O’Flynn for Ciara Ryan, Leah Cremins for Dearbhla Kearney, Lauren Hickey for Anna French, Kelly McCarthy for Aoife Moriarty.