Hazelwood College 16 1/2 Munster Colleges Football team who emerged comprehensive winners against on a score line of 5-8 to 1-9. Back row (from left to right): Sean Madigan, Micheál Begley, Evan O’Flynn, Alex Culhane, Damien Burke, Jonathan Sheahan, Brian Buckley and James McDermott. Front Row (left to right): Evan Coleman, Luke Ryan, Cian Magner Flynn, Dean Collins, Connor McCarthy, Colin O’Brien and Darragh Lane.
Hazelwood: 5-08
Meanscoil San Nioclás: 1-04
On 17th January 2015, the Hazelwood Senior Ladies’ Football Team were crowned Munster Champions after a tough battle with Meanscoil San Nioclás from An Rinn, Waterford. The match was played in Glanworth, Co. Cork, and heavy underfoot conditions and bitter cold proved challenging for both sides.
From the whistle, it was clear that both teams had similar intentions, and it took 12 minutes for the first score to be registered on the board, after Laura Stack finished a good passage of play from Hazelwood forwards with a point. It wasn’t long before Meanscoil levelled the score after a pointed free. Hazelwood pulled away in the next 10 minutes with points from Tara Fitzgibbon and Laura Stack, and Cliona O Callaghan found the net to give Hazelwood a five point lead. Meanscoil responded well and scored two points in reply. With 5 minutes left in the opening half, both sides were pushing for scores before half time and Hazelwood were rewarded for their efforts with a point from the left boot of Cliona O Callaghan and a goal from Emily Rose Mulcahy giving them the advantage at half time. The half time score read 2-4 to 0-3 points in favour of Hazelwood.
After being refreshed at half time, both sides took to the field for the second half. Meanscoil had a better start to this half, and began putting pressure on the Hazelwood girls. However, having failed to convert all of their chances they only scored one point in their 10 minute purple patch. Hazelwood found their feet again after points from Katie McCarthy and Tara Fitzgibbon, but Meanscoil quickly responded with a well taken goal after dividing the Hazelwood defence. This left 5 points between the sides, and Meanscoil had the crowd’s support and the momentum entering the final quarter. The Waterford side had several chances to reduce the deficit, but missed frees as well as two top drawer saves from Hazelwood goalkeeper Rebecca McGuinness prevented them from clawing their way back. Hazelwood took advantage of Meanscoil’s inaccuracy, and with 8 minutes left on the clock, Hazelwood hit 3 goals in 3 minutes to finish the game as a contest, one from Katie McCarthy and two from Laura Stack. As the Meanscoil girls’ heads dropped, Hazelwood thoughts turned to celebrations as Laura Stack pointed from play and Chloe O’Brien finished the game with a superb point after an individual run of the length of the field. When the final whistle blew Hazelwood players and supporters rejoiced, with the Munster title heading to Dromcollogher. The final score read 5-08 to 1-04.
Cliona O Callaghan was awarded Player of the Match and Jerome Casey, Munster Treasurer, presented the cup to Hazelwood Captain Ciara McCarthy. On behalf of the team, Ciara thanked referee Shaun Cronin, manager Tom Halpin, coach Moss McCarthy and assistant coach Siobhán McCarthy. This was a well-deserved win for the girls, as they trained very hard, even twice over the Christmas holidays! Hopefully more silverware will come their way throughout the year.
Scorers: Laura Stack (2-03), Cliona O’ Callaghan (1-01), Katie McCarthy (1-01), Emily Rose Mulcahy (1-00), Tara Fitzgibbon (0-02), Chloe O Brien (0-01).
Team: Rebecca McGuinness, Claire Sweeney, Ciara McCarthy, Meadbh McCarthy, Cathy Foley, Chloe O Brien, Norma O Sullivan, Bríd Flanagan, Megan Fitzgibbon, Sarah Shanahan, Tara Fitzgibbon, Cliona O Callaghan, Katie McCarthy, Laura Stack, Emily Rose Mulcahy.
Subs Used: Áine Cunningham, Ellanna Mulcahy, Briana O’ Connor, Aoife McMahon, Marie Danaher.
Subs: Donna Mulcahy, Sharon Carmody, Emma Sheehan, Sarah Sheehan, Róisín Cunningham, Ava Mullane, Laura Enright.
Picture 1: Back Row (left to right): Mr Tom Halpin, Roisin Cunningham, Sarah Sheahan, Laura Stack, Bríd Flanagan, Cathy Foley, Emma Sheehan, Sharon Carmady, Rebecca McGuinness, Claire Sweeney, Katie McCarthy, Medhb McCarthy, Cliona O’Callaghan, Norma O’Sullivan, Laura Enright, Donna Mulcahy, Moss McCarthy, holding Muiris McCarthy aloft. Front Row (left to right): Briana O’Connor, Marie Danneher, Ava Mullane, Tara Fitzgibbon, Emily Rose Mulcahy, Ellana Mulcahy, Áine Cunningham, Chloe O’Brien, Ciara McCarthy, Sarah Shanhan, Megan Fitzgibbon and Aoife McMahon
Picture 2: Pictured from left to right Ciara McCarthy, Mr Tom Halpin coach of the Hazelwood College Senior Ladies’ Football team and Sarah Shanahan.
Picture 3: Hazelwood College’s Cliona O Callaghan being presented with her Player of the Match trophy by Paul Murphy
Picture 4: Hazelwood College Senior Ladies’ Football captain Ciara McCarthy (left) being presented with the cup by Jerome Donovan
Picture 5: Pictured from left to right Hannah dePaor, captain of Mean Scoil, referee Mr Sean Cronin and Ciara McCarthy, captain of the Senior Ladies’ Football team
The first term was a very busy and what turned out to be a very successful one for the Hazelwood athletes. The season kicked off with the Munster Schools Indoor Combined Events. This event requires the athletes to compete over five events, after which their points would be tallied. Hazelwood had four athletes compete at the competition, Kevin O Leary, Laoise Bennis, Gerard O’Donnell and Alison Healy, all four athletes competed very well, all four had personal best performances; Alison got a personal best in the Hurdles in a time of 11.55 and the shot, where she threw 7.06m. This was Gerard O Donnell’s first time doing this competition, but he performed admirable, achieving personal best in the 60m hurdles (12.14 seconds) , the 800m (2:41.5) and the 200m (28.30 seconds). Kevin O’Leary was competing his first year U17 so had a stiff competition to qualify. He ran close to his personal best in the hurdles (9.25 seconds) and ran a new personal best in the 200m (27.20 seconds), the hurdles bagging him close to a massive 700points. Laoise Bennis was on form on the day and despite suffering with shin splints she got 4 personal bests out of the five events: Hurdles (10.09 seconds), shot (7.15m), high jump (1.55m) and the 800m (2:43.7 min). This fantastic performance was enough to secure her first place as Munster Champion and secured her qualification for the Irish School Combined Events Finals in Athlone IT. Despite their fantastic performances Kevin, Alison and Gerard all narrowly missed out on qualification.
Laoise went on to compete in the Irish School Combined Events Finals in Atlone IT International Arena on Saturday the 15th of November. With a place on the national team for the top four places at stake, Laoise opened the completion well, reducing her personal best over the hurdles to 9.93 seconds. Next up was the shot putt where she had a solid throw of 7m. However, issues with her run-up on the long jump meant she only got 4.39m with 2 foul jumps close to 5m. A consistent jump in the high jump of 1.54m meant that she was going into the 800m in fifth place and a real chance of getting onto the national team. But some fantastic runs from her competitors meant that she finished in eighth place. Despite her narrow miss, it was a fantastic achievement.
Among the most impressive results of the first term were those of Noelle Lenihan, who competed in the Cork and Waterford para game. Noelle competed in the shot putt, discus and javelin, winning gold in all events. The most impressive aspect about her in that the games are open to all ages and, as 15 year old, she had to compete against adults to secure her medals. Noelle is now waiting for classification to be able to compete in further para games, with the possibility of making the national team and representing Ireland in international competition.
On the 21st of October, a group of 38 Hazelwood athletes travelled to Fota Wildlife Park to compete in the Munster Schools Orienteering League. This was the first time that Hazelwood had competed at the competition, so much was learned by many of those competing. Hazelwood’s best finishers, on what turned out to be an extremely wet and windy day, were Amy O Sullivan and Rosin Normoyle who did fantastically to finish in seventh and eighth places respectively in the First Year Girls’ Competition. Cory Knipe and Douglas Woolam came in fourteenth and fifteenth place in the Second Year Boys’ Competition. Hazelwood’s athletes faced crowded fields, manned by more experienced athletes, so this was an excellent result for compete beginners and bodes well for future orienteering events.
With an action packed first term packed with some fantastic performances, the second term look promising. This term we have the cross country, outdoor schools and more orienteering action.
Watch this space.
Picture 2: The Hazelwood College team who participated in the Munster Schools’ Indoor Combined Events. Pictured are (left to right) Alison Healy, Laoise Bennis, Kevin O’Leary and Gerard O’Donnell.
Picture 3: Hazelwood College’s Noelle Lenihan with the three gold medals she won in the Paralympic Games Cork Regional Final and the three medals she won in the Paralympic Munster Finals, which she won for Discus, Shot Putt and Javelin.
Picture 4: Hazelwood College’s Athletics team which travelled to Fota Wildlife Park to compete in the Munster Schools’ Orienteering League. Hazelwood College students Amy O’Sullivan and Rosin Normoyle came seventh and eighth respectively in the First Year Girls’ Competition while Corey Knipe and Douglas Woolam came fourteenth and fifteenth respectively in the Second Year Boys’ Competition
Recently, Desmond College and Hazelwood College played an exciting first year basketball match in the County Limerick First Year Girls’ Basketball Competition. Desmond began with a flying start, with Breda Magner scoring twice for Desmond. However, in the second quarter, the home side took off with 2 points each by Sarah Enright and Ellen Reidy, 4 points by Chloe Farrell and 6 points by Evelyne Mancassolla which included perhaps the best baskets of the day.
In the third quarter Hazelwood continued to keep the pace with 4 points each by Rachel Doody and Ciara McCarthy. This was teamed with excellent defence by the rest of the girls. But Desmond kept Hazelwood within reach, thanks to a superb defence and Latina Massey scoring 2 points for the visitors. The final quarter was concluded with three wonderful baskets by Hazelwood’s Chloe Farrell, Sinead Wright and Melissa Duggan. Unfortunately for Desmond, they were outplayed on the day, with a final score of 29-06 to Hazelwood College.
Referee on the day was Ellen Condon. Hazelwood College’s coaches were Ali Purcell and Ms Noreen Daly. Desmond College’s coaches were Catherine Creed and Sarah O’Grady. Score and Time keepers on the day were Grainne Ahern and Dwayne Sheehan.
By: Grainne Ahern and Dwayne Sheehan TY.
The Hazelwood College First Year Girls’ Basketball team who recently defeated Desmond College. Pictured are (left to right) Back Row: Ellen Reidy, Elaine Kennedy, Sinead Wright, Chloe Farrell, Lauren O’Brien and Aisling Shanahan. Front Row: Sarah Enright, Rachel Doody, Ciara McCarthy, Niamh Mullins, Emma Healy, Evelyne Mancassolla, Áine O’Sullivan and Melissa Duggan.
On Thursday last Hazelwood’s Junior Ladies’ Football team maintained their unbeaten record for the year and also advanced to the Munster Junior Ladies’ Football Colleges’ Competition semi-final thanks to a 5-4 to 2-5 win over Kilrush Community School of Clare.
However the score line doesn’t reflect how much Hazelwood had to work for this victory. The game took place in Old Christians’ GAA grounds in Limerick City. Conditions underfoot were very heavy and wet, and combined with a very strong breeze overhead, circumstances were not ideal for a game of football. With these conditions a physical battle was in store. Hazelwood’s captain Norma O’ Sullivan decided to play against this wind in the first half and this decision proved pivotal as they could work harder early in the game and keep the Kilrush forwards at bay. Kilrush got off to a better start with an early goal against the run of play. Due to the wind in their faces, the Hazelwood forwards had to seize upon every half chance they got. Hazelwood’s style of play was exemplified by a brilliant goal from the individual brilliance of Laura Stack and a well worked point from Katie McCarthy. Kilrush finished the first half with only 1-3 thanks to fantastic defensive performances from all the backs especially Meabh McCarthy, Ide Cunningham and Ava Mullane. The half time score read Hazelwood 2-2 to Kilrush’s 1-3.
After some inspiring words from Hazelwood’s manager, Ms.O’Connor, and with the wind firmly behind them, the girls found another gear and scored another two goals from Laura Stack and Sarah Sheehan. However Kilrush did not go down without a fight and threw everything at Hazelwood in the second half and forced some fine saves from Rebecca McGuiness. In the final ten minutes Hazelwood’s desire for possession showed and with Cathy Foley and Brid Flanagan sweeping up in midfield victory was assured. Hazelwood now progress to the Munster Semi Final after a well-deserved Christmas Break.
Pictured are Back Row (from left to right) Shauna Cunningham, Niamh O’Brien, Nigel O’Callaghan, Sarah Sheahan, Katie McCarthy, Cathy Foley, Meadbh McCarthy, Ava Mullane, Mary Kate Fehin, Shannon Buckley, Aoife McMahon, Jessica Roche and Brian Murphy.
Front Row (from left to right) Bríd Flanagan, Aisling Cunningham, Tara Reidy, Rebecca Mc Guiness, Laura Stack, Norma O’Sullivan and Emily-Rose Mulcahy
Hazelwood College 4-11
St. Anne’s 3-06
Martinstown was the venue for this Senior Ladies’ Football Munster Colleges’ Semi-Final on 8th December 2014. Cold, wet and windy conditions proved a challenge for both teams, and a physical battle was in store.
Hazelwood started the brighter team going two goals ahead inside the opening 8 minutes after Sarah Shanahan and Cliona O’ Callaghan found the net, taking the St. Anne’s defenders by surprise. After the Tipp side’s slow start, they began to find their feet, putting two points on the board. After 16 minutes, Sarah and Ellanna Mulcahy scored a point each after good passages of play. The St. Anne’s girls entered a purple patch for 10 minutes in the middle of the half, taking advantage by putting 2-02 on the board after finding gaps in the Hazelwood defence. However, the Limerick side put themselves in a more comfortable position for half time, after a point from centre back Megan Fitzgibbon, and Cliona and Áine Cunningham put a goal each past the St. Anne’s goalkeeper. The half time score read 4-03 to 2-04 in favour of Hazelwood.
After the interval, St. Anne’s came out all guns blazing, scoring two points in the half’s opening 10 minutes. With this leaving only 3 points between the sides, and St. Anne’s beginning to dominate in the middle third of the field, Hazelwood were under pressure to retain their lead. A pointed free from Katie McCarthy helped Hazelwood find their feet again, and points from Cliona and Tara Fitzgibbon stretched the lead to 6 points to put Hazelwood in a comfortable position again. The lead could have been more, but for the woodwork blocking a bullet from the boot of Donna Mulcahy. Hazelwood started to pull away in the last quarter, with points from Katie, Ellanna and three from Donna. St. Anne’s never gave up, and were rewarded with a late goal, but it was too little too late for the gallant Tipp side. Hazelwood ran out winners on a scoreline of 4-11 to 3-06. Hazelwood now progress to the Senior Ladies’ Football Munster Final, while St. Anne’s are out of the competition.
by Laura Stack and Jack Hennessy TY1
Hazelwood College’s Senior Ladies Football team who recently secured a definite victory in the Senior Ladies’ Football Munster Colleges’ Semi-Final. Pictured are back row (left to right) Sharon Carmady, Claire Sweeney, Roisin Cunningham, Emma Sheehan, Cliona O’Callaghan, Brianna O’Connor, Rebecca McGuinness, Sarah Shanahan, Tara Fitzgibbon, Megan Fitzgibbon and Katie McCarthy. Front row (left to right) Ciara McCarthy, Bríd Flanagan, Emily Rose Mulcahy, Ellannah Mulcahy, Donna Mulcahy, Medhbh McCarthy, Chloe O’Brien, Áine Cunningham and Norma O’Sullivan.
Hazelwood 7-10
Bandon 1-05
On 4th December 2014, the Hazelwood Senior Camogie team came out on top in a tough battle with Coláiste na Toirbhirte, Bandon, securing the Cork Colleges Senior Camogie Championship. The match was played in Dromcollogher, with Hazelwood holding the advantage on home turf.
From the whistle, it was clear that both teams had similar intensions, and it took 6 minutes for the first score to be registered on the board. Ellanna Mulcahy won a loose ball and fired over the bar to put the home team in the lead. Points from Mary Kate Fehin and two from Cliona O’Callaghan put Hazelwood further in the lead. Bandon forwards were restricted to three points in the first half, due to consistent defending from the Hazelwood backs. The first half was a physical battle between the sides, and the game was score for score until, after a good passage of play between the Hazelwood midfielders and half forwards, corner forward Áine Cunningham received an accurate pass and finished a low shot to the net, giving the home side a four point lead at the interval. The half time score read 1-04 to 0-03.
Hazelwood started the better side in the second half, and began to dominate all over the field. Cliona O’Callaghan put the ball in the net in the opening 5 minutes of the second half, followed by goals from Áine Cunningham and Donna Mulcahy. Despite defensive mistakes that were the cause of conceding scores, Bandon continued to fight but failed to convert all of their chances, scoring just two points in the third quarter. With Hazelwood ahead entering the final quarter of the game, they pushed on with further goals from Donna Mulcahy and Áine Cunningham and points from Cliona O’Callaghan and Mary Kate Fehin. Team captain, Donna Mulcahy, leading by example, added a point to her tally, before Áine Cunningham handled a high ball in the square and palmed to the net. Deserving player of the match, Áine Cunningham added a point to her name before finishing as the day’s top scorer with 4-01 with a fine display of goal scoring ability. Bandon got a consolation goal towards the end, put it was too little too late for the gallant South Cork side, who, to their credit never gave up until the final whistle. Strong midfield pairing Chloe O’Brien and Ellanna Mulcahy scored a point each after making runs from the centre of the pitch to close out the game, the scoreboard reading 7-10 to 1-05 in favour of Hazelwood at the final whistle.
Referee Mike Sheehan presented the cup to Hazelwood captain Donna Mulcahy on behalf of her teammates. This was a well deserved win for the Hazelwood Senior Camogie team, and hopefully will not be the last of the year ahead for this talented group of players.
Hazelwood College’s Senior Camogie team, who recently secured the Cork Colleges’ Senior Camogie Championship. Back row (left to right) Aoife McMahon, Laura Stack, Nicola Madden, Bríd Flanagan, Mary Kate Fehin, Laura O’Connell, Kasey Farrell, Aisling Cunningham, Briana O’Connor, Cliona O’Callaghan, Aoife Murray, Áine Fitzgibbon, Megan Fitzgibbon, Rebecca Duggan, Ms Bernie Walsh and Brendan O’Connor. Front Row (left to right) Orlaith Hennessy, Abby McDermott, Aisling Enright, Emma O’Callaghan, Sarah Shanahan, Áine Cunningham, Donna Mulcahy, Ellannah Mulcahy, Emily Rose Mulcahy, Chloe O’Brien, Tara Fitzgibbon and Katie Carroll.
Hazelwood College Senior Ladies’ footballers have continued their march toward Senior Ladies’ Football Munster Championship glory after a decisive win against a spirited west Clare side, coached by their mentor Mr. Tom Halpin. The first half was one sided as Sarah Shanahan took advantage of a gap in defence in the first two minute to hammer home an early goal for the Hazelwood side. Scores from Ellana Mulcahy (2 goals), Aine Cunningham (3 goals), Donna Mulcahy (4 goals) Katie McCarthy (1goal) and two points from Laura Stack allowed Hazelwood College to create a decisive lead in the second half, which was hard for Kildysart to come back into the game, as they only managed to score ten points in the first half to Hazelwood’s 9 goals and five points.
The first few minutes of the second half were more tightly contested with both sides exchanging points. At the halfway point in the second half an inspired John Bosco side raised an offensive on the Hazelwood full back line, but stern defending from Hazelwood’s Ciara McCarthy soon stemmed the flow of the west Clare attacks. The Hazelwood full-forward line took advantage of the stretched John Bosco backs. In the closing stages of the game, the girls played some extremely good football based on the team’s strength up the middle of the field. In the end it was a decisive win for Hazelwood College on a score line of Hazelwood 10-12 John Bosco 1-11.
Hazelwood College Senior Ladies’ Football team who recently won their match comprehensively.
Pictured are back row (left to right) Briana O’Connor, Megan Fitzgibbon, Claire Sweeney, Sharon Carmody, Tara Fitzgibbon, Rebecca McGuiness, Meave McCarthy, Cathy Foley, Roisin Cunningham, Bríd Flanagan, Emma Sheehan and Cliodhna O’Callaghan.
Pictured, front row, left to right, Donna Mulcahy, Áine Cunningham, Sarah Shanahan, Alannah Mulcahy, Laura Stack, Ciara McCarthy, Chloe O’Brien, Emily Rose Mulcahy, Katie McCarthy and Norma O’Sullivan.
Roisin Twohill (centre), sixth year Hazelwood College student who secured her position on the Senior Ladies Inter-Provincial Munster panel. Here she is pictured with Hazelwood College Principal Mr Brendan Burke (left) and Hazelwood College Head of Sport, Mr Tom Halpin (right).
Recently, four of Hazelwood College’s top athletes made the trip to Nenagh to compete in the Munster Multi Events Competition. Our four competitors were Laoise Bennis, Kevin O’Leary, Alison Healy and Gerard O’Donnell under the guidance of teacher and coach Mr. Kevin Grant.
First up were the boys. Their competition consisted of a 200m sprint, 60m hurdles, long jump, 800m and shot put. Gerard O’Donnell was competing in his first Multi Events and throughout the day his inexperience did not show as he performed very well in all events and was unlucky not to qualify for the All-Ireland series. Kevin O’Leary competed in the Intermediate Grade for the first time and was running against students two his senior. However this did not stop Kevin from putting in a very solid performance throughout, securing bronze medal place in the 60m hurdles, his favourite event.
Next were the girls, whose competition consisted of high jump, 60m hurdles, long jump, 800m and shot put. Hazelwood’s two female athletes, Laoise Bennis and Alison Healy, were taking part in the same grade. Alison, like Kevin, was significantly younger than the majority of her competitors, but put in some excellent performances throughout the day, especially in the long jump. Next year with age on their side and more training these two athletes will definitely be towards the top of the placings in the competition. Last, but not least, was Laoise Bennis, a very technical and experienced athlete. She performed exceptionally well all day, winning her favourite event, the high jump, and was placed highly across the board in all events. When scores were counted, Laoise Bennis was victorious in the Intermediate Grade age group. This was a fantastic result for Laoise and we now wish her the best of luck in the All-Ireland series. Hazelwood’s athletes will now turn their attention to cross country competitions, which take place soon.
Picture 7 is of Laoise Bennis, Hazelwood College, who won the gold medal at the Munster Schools’ Multi Events Competition for Intermediate Grade.
Picture 8 Hazelwood College Athletes who participated at the Munster School’s Multi Events Competition. Pictured are (from left to right) Alison Healy Laoise Bennis, Kevin O’Leary and Gerard O’Donnell.