Hazelwood College :5-15
St Pauls, Kilrea :0-0
It was an extremely busy week in Hazelwood College in the lead up to the two biggest games in the school sports calendar. Saturday morning the Junior Camogie team had an early start to reach their final destination, Ratoath, Co Meath to attempt to overcome the Ulster Champions, St Pauls, Kilrea Co Derry in the schools first ever camogie All Ireland final.
The game started at a very high tempo, Aideen O Flynn won the throw-in and gave a perfect pass to Katie Dillane who easily popped it over the bar. This was the start Hazelwood needed to diminish all nerves and anxiety that had built up so they could get on with the game. Well taken points were contributed by each of the forwards. In the first ten minutes Hazelwood had scored 1-6 and continued to play as if their lives depended on it. The back line of Joanne Murray, Sarah O’ Sullivan, Caroline Watson, Loretta Hanley and Katie O’ Sullivan were simply majestic in defence and did not allow the sliotar even touch our goalkeeper, Amy Ryan’s hands throughout the first half. Niamh O’ Brien was sensational throughout the entire game both in defence and attack scoring 1-2 throughout the game. As half time approached the scoreline read 3-11 to no score.
Despite the aches and pains of the first half, Hazelwood started the second half with the same intensity. However St Pauls were prepared for each attack and again began to use their physical strength to try and salvage the game. But the defensive lines were not going to concede any score easily. Attack after attack was set up by the Hazelwood forwards and they were unlucky not to score more in the second half.
Each of the inside forward line, centre forward line and mid field scored throughout the game. It was the best team performance the Junior Hazelwood College camogie team had displayed all year. The intensity that each girl showed throughout the game would have made it impossible for most teams in the country to beat them! When the final whistle sounded there was unbelievable excitement! As Máire Flanagan lifted the First Ever All Ireland Title the school has received huge emotion was present on all members of the team. It was great to see many supporters greet the team from the bus in Dromcollogher, giving them the recognition they deserve.
The team would like to thank the huge amount of supporters, parents, teachers and friends that travelled to Ratoath on Saturday and to all previous games during the year! Special thanks to Eddie Prunty who was the fasted first aid person ever seen on any GAA pitch! Gary Hanley, Paudie Walsh, Andrew Lenihan for helping out on the day also.
Panel: Amy Ryan (Newtown); Katie O Sullivan (Feenagh-Kilmeedy); Caroline Watson (Milford); Loretta Hanley (Feenagh-Kilmeedy); Sarah O Sullivan (Feenagh-Kilmeedy); Niamh O Brien (Milford); Joanne Murray (Killeedy); Aideen O Flynn (Milford); Máire Flanagan Captain (Milford); Kallie Hodgson (Milford); Aisling O Brien (Knockaderry); Niamh Cagney (Ballagran); Sarah Moloney (Newtown) Becky Ryan (Newtown); Katie Dillane (Milford) Grainne Sheehy (Milford); Katie Coughlan (Newtown); Ciara Fitzgibbon (Milford); Breda Larkin (Killeedy); Helen Bradley (Milford); Kara Clifford (Newtown); Gemma Barrett (Killeedy); Aine O Sullivan (Newtown); Norma Kiely (Dromcollogher); Orla Cunnigham (Killeedy); Emer Cunnigham (Killeedy); Katie O Leary