Leinster finalists
Coláiste Bhríde Carnew march on to provincial decider
COLÁISTE BHRÍDE SCOIL CHRÍOST RÍ 1-9 0-4
COLÁISTE BHRÍDE CARNEW’S Senior camogie team secured a Leinster final berth last week after they got the better of visiting Scoil Chríost Rí from Portlaoise in the provincial semi-final on Wednesday afternoon.
The Carnew students produced an impressive performance in patches against a side that seemed more preoccupied with the home team’s threats instead of focusing on their own obvious and plentiful qualities throughout the field.
With winter hurling came an abundance of handling errors and rising difficulties but Bob Fitzgerald’s side were never really in any trouble with fine showings from Melissa Doran, Karen Tomkins, Emma Tomkins, Sadhbh Buttle, Sarah ‘Sal’ Doyle and Laura Doran to name but a few inspiring the Carnew students to a sweet victory and a place in the Leinster decider against Scoil Mhuire from Trim who accounted for Pres de la Salle of Bagenalstown in the other semi-final.
It was nip and tuck in the early stages of the game with both sides getting a sense of each other. Scoil Chríost Rí adopted a sweeper early on – pulling Rebecca Reddin out from her corner-forward position to retreat and mind the house which left Melissa Doran free to mop up any loose ball that found its way to the heart of the Coláiste Bhríde defence.
There were five minutes on the clock before Sarah Doyle opened the Coláiste Bhríde account and
Coláiste Bhríde’s Laci Jane Shannon gives chase during the Leinster Colleges Senior ‘C’ camogie championship semi-final.
the Craanford woman would go on to have a fine game, accounting for 1-4 of the 1-9 total. Doyle was picked out by a wicked pass from her attacking colleague Sadhbh Buttle who would also feature prominently over the course of the hour.
The Portlaoise side had some very impressive hurlers on the field from full-back Sarah Fleming who played a free role and looked very handy albeit under no pressure whatsover. Midfielder Niamh Crowley at midfield was also very useful looking as was centre forward Ann Byrne who replied to Sarah Doyle’s opening score with a converted free with eight on the clock.
Coláiste Bhríde were pressing all the time and they were rewarded big time when Sarah Doyle collected a Sadhbh Buttle ball and rattled the Scoil Chríot Rí net after 12 to make it 1-1 to 0-1.
The Portlaoise students came close themselves three minutes later when a mistake by Melissa Doran coughed up a free which was taken short by Ann Byrne to full forward Tara Byrne, but the attacker’s shot was poor and flew wide of the target.
Ann Byrne reduced the deficit to two points after 23 minutes but Coláiste Bhríde finished the half strongly with points from Sadhbh Buttle and Sarah Doyle to leave it 1-3 to 0-2 at the break.
Bob Fitzgerald made a half-time substitution – bringing in Eimear Mutton for Laci Jane Shannon with Mutton curbing the influence of Grainne O’Reilly for the second half.
A stunning point from midfielder Emma Tomkins immediately from the restart set the tone for the second half and a Sarah Doyle point and two converted frees from the passionate and determined Laura Doran more or less decided this fixture as the Portlaoise side just weren’t going to get in for goals given the rhythm of the game.
Bob Fitzgerald made a number of substitutions that didn’t upset the cohesion of the team and further points from Emma Tomkins and Sarah Doyle ensured a final appearance barring a complete disaster.
The visitors would finish strongly with two late points, but the game was well and truly decided at that stage.
Sarah Doyle went down with bad cramp near the end but will hopefully be fit and well for the final on Saturday, January 18 at a venue to be decided.
Interestingly, there is only one sixth-year student on the starting 15 which suggests a very positive few years for the Coláiste Bhríde camogie team over the next few years. - Coláiste Bhríde Carnew: Sarah Doyle 1-4, Laura Doran
Scorers
0-2 (2f), Emma Tomkins 0-2, Sadhbh Buttle 0-1.
Scoil Chríost Rí: Anna Byrne 0-3 (3f), Susie Delaney 0-1.
COLÁISTE BHRÍDE CARNEW:
Kate Butler; Emma Murphy, Melissa Doran, Nadine Fitzgerald; Aoife Kinsella, Karen Tomkins, Aine Tobin; Laci Jane Shannon, Emma Tomkins; Eimear Byrne, Kasey Byrne, Jade Shannon; Sadhbh Buttle, Sarah Doyle, Laura Doran. Subs: Eimear Mutton for LJ Shannon, Niamh Byrne for N Fitzgerald, Shauna O’Shea for E Byrne, E Byrne for A Kinsella.
Ciara Phelan; Grace O’Brien, Sarah Fleming, Grainne Keogh; Faye O’Reilly, Niamh Crowley, Jasmine Burke; Ciara Byrne, Grainne O’Reilly; Ashling Fleming, Ann Byrne, Susie Delaney; Rebecca Reddin, Tara Byrne, Ciara Crowley.
SCOIL CHRÍOST RÍ: REFEREE:
Christy O’Rourke