Category: Sports

Limerick VEC Colleges U16 1/2 – County final

The Hazelwood boys travelled the distance to Claughán to face the awaiting Newport team in the Limerick VEC Colleges U161/2 County final, on Friday the 9th of May last.

As the match began it was clear both teams had similar intensions and it was going to be a tough battle. With Newport scoring the opening point Hazelwood knew they would have to fight right to the bitter end.
The wind blew in Newport’s favour during the first 30 minutes, and the Hazelwood side had to keep up a strong defence to ensure they stayed in the game, Jack O’ Sullivan putting over Hazelwood’s first point from a free which was followed by another point from Padraig Ahern due to a tremendous effort and strong performances from Hazelwood’s Cian Manger Flynn and Dean Collins who supplied ball continuously in around the square. Newport fought back however, and matched every score with one of their own, keeping a slight lead on the scoreboard ending the half Hazelwood 0-6, to Newport 1-8.

The second half of the game got off to a flying start, Hazelwood’s captain Seamus Flanagan firing balls down the length of the field, setting-up and scoring numerous points from the half way line. This display of courage and determination continued from the whole team throughout the game making Newport’s attempts to stay on top impossible. Although they never gave up and made sure Hazelwood had to fight to win position for every ball. Conditions on the day were not ideal with a strong wind blowing across the field making simple play difficult, this did not affect either of the two teams who performed with an outstanding show of sportsmanship, style and teamwork. As the referee Paddy Carroll blew the final whistle, an ecstatic Hazelwood let out a sigh of relief. The final score: Hazelwood 1-21, Newport 1-14.
This victory was well deserved and could not have been achieved if not for the Hazelwood trainers Mr Ronan Farrell and Mr Matt Finn who have worked tirelessly over the past year to mould the team into the best they could be. This win was a fantastic achievement to finish of the year and the team have brought tremendous pride to the trainers, parents, themselves and the school. We would like to congratulate all involved and wish them luck in future games.

Pictured are Back Row Left to Right: Mr Ronan Farrell, Stephen Coughlan, Nigel O’ Callaghan, Edward Hourigan, Anthony Barrett, Colin O’ Brien, Gearoid Matthews, Jack Sheahan, Shane Butler, Cathal Finn, William Enright, Alex Culhane, Brian Buckley, Luke Ryan, Dean Collins, Damien Burke, Glen McNamara, Keith Shine, Donal Molyneaux, Mr Matt Finn. Front Row Left to Right: Brian Murphy, James McDermott, Tim Larkin, Dan Noonan, Denis Donegan, Padraig Ahern, Seamus Flanagan(Captain), Cian Manger Flynn, Ryan O Gorman, Jack O’ Sullivan, Dylan Hayes Daly, Morris Fitzgibbon, Sean Shine.

First Year Camogie Blitz

Hazelwood College first years travelled to Mick Neville Park in Rathkeale to the Limerick 7 aside camogie blitz.
Hazelwood College played the first of three games against Coláiste na Trócaire, Rathkeale. Hazelwood started very strongly with some very strong forward play from Megan Nolan and Shannon Mason. Rathkeale soon got on the scoreboard and at half time, Hazelwood trailed by two points. The introduction of Mary Kate Fehin, Orlaith Hennessy and Chris Boyce at half time proved vital as Hazelwood scored a point to bring the score difference back to a point. Hazelwood battled hard to find the equaliser but a breakdown in communication saw Rathkeale score a goal, bringing the final score to Hazelwood 0-1, Rathkeale 1-2.

Hazelwood’s second game was against Desmond College. The girls were first out of the blocks and some great teamwork saw Mary Kate Fehin score a fine point from out the field. Hazelwood’s defence was rock solid with some great goalkeeping from Abby McDermott. The sides were level at half time with one point each. The second half came and a fantastic goal was scored by Maedhbh McCarthy after some great teamwork and a hand pass from Mary Kate Fehin saw Maedhbh bury the ball in the back of the net. Desmond College tried very hard to score but they could not break down the Hazelwood defence. Final score: Hazelwood College 1-1 Desmond College 0-2

Hazelwood’s third game was against Laurel Hill and what a game it turned out to be. The two teams were very evenly matched. Our defence was, yet again, excellent with great blocking and hooking from Aisling and Chris. Midfielders were brilliant with Megan Nolan and Orlaith Hennessy fighting for every ball and Shannon and Mary Kate were causing great difficulties for the Laurel Hill defence. The game ended with Hazelwood losing by a mere point, 0-3 to 1-1.

After the three games, Hazelwood qualified for the B final against Laurel Hill who had beaten them by a point in the previous game. Laurel Hill made a great start with a goal but Hazelwood never gave up. At half time, the score was Laurel Hill 1-0, Hazelwood 0-0. Hazelwood dug deep in the second half and a brilliant run from Orlaith Hennessy into the forward line and a superb hand pass to Mary Kate saw her bury the ball in the back of the net. The sides were level with only 2 minutes left. Hazelwood battled hard to prevent Laurel Hill from scoring but a free was awarded and Laurel Hill pucked it straight between the posts. Hazelwood had just one last attack that resulted in a 45’ which unfortunately went narrowly wide.

The girls put in a great performance and there is no doubt that they will have a great team. Most of these girls are still in training for a county semi-final in the coming weeks with the school’s first and second year camogie team.

Panel: Orlaith Hennessy, Maedhbh McCarthy, Ashling Enright, Chris Boyce, Lorna Donegan, Abby McDermott, Shannon Mason, Emma Browne, Ava Mullane, Megan Nolan, Mary Kate Fehin

Hazelwood College Secure Passage into Senior Limerick Colleges Camogie Championship

Hazelwood 8.20
Rathkeale 1.10

On Wednesday, April 9th, Hazelwood Senior girls played a fierce and tactical game against the strong Rathkeale ladies’ team. At the throw in, Rathkeale’s Caoimhe Costello won the breaking ball and put the sliotar straight over the bar putting them in a very early lead. Hazelwood knew then that they would have to put in a strong performance if they wanted to come out on top. They responded quickly with a point from corner forward Katie Coughlan. This was soon followed by a skilful point put over from the halfway line by Cliona O’ Callaghan. By half time, Hazelwood had managed to concede only three points while scoring an impressive 4.14.

The second half opened up with Hazelwood winning possession but Rathkeale showed that they weren’t going to give up despite the scoreline and put another two points over the bar, playing now with a strong breeze. However, Hazelwood constantly stayed on top and kept the scoreboard ticking over, full forward Laura Stack in particular putting in a great shift, scoring six goals over the course of the hour. Though Hazelwood let their guard down a little in the final five minutes, allowing Rathkeale to add another few scores to their tally, the gap was too great to close and the Hazelwood girls ran out convincing winners on a scoreline of 8.20 to 1.10. The girls now look forward to a County Final against Laurel Hill. After this performance, they can be confident of bringing silverware back to Dromcollogher!

Team and Scorers: Rebecca Duggan, Aine Fitzgibbon, Caroline Watson, Megan Fitzgibbon, Sarah Shanahan, Tara Fitzgibbon(0.1), Briana O’ Connor, Cliona O’ Callaghan (0.4), Chloe O’ Brien, Orla Cunningham (0.3), Donna Mulcahy (0.5), Deniese Forde (0.1), Bríd Flanagan (0.2), Laura Stack (6.1), Katie Coughlan (2.3), Aoife McMahon, Aoife Murray, Leighann Shanahan

Success on the Athletics Field

Picture 1 Hazelwood College students from left Allison Healy and Denise Forde, gold medal winners of Senior Girls’ Long Jump at Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board’s Annual Sports Day, which was held recently at University of Limerck.

Picture 2 Successful sisters Noelle (left) and Eimear Lenihan (right), Second Year Hazelwood College students, winners of under 16 shot putt at Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board’s Annual Sports Day.

Picture 3 Hazelwood College’s full Athletics team, which recently participated in the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board Annual Sports Day.

Hazelwood Senior Girls Basketballers Secure Place in Final

Hazelwood College – 17
Salesians College – 14

Recently, the Senior girls Basketball team travelled to Limerick city to take on Salesians Secondary School in the Cup Quarter final. Having come in second place in their group after a shaky start to the campaign, the girls were unsure of what to expect from the opposition. It turned out to be a wonderful game of basketball with both defences on top. It was ‘tit for tat’ in the opening three quarters with Anne Marie Molyneaux, Niamh McCarthy and the ever-dependable Ali Purcell producing some nice scores. In the dying minutes of the game, after Hazelwood found themselves a point down, Tara Fitzgibbon scored to edge Hazelwood in front by the narrowest of margins with Sarah Shanahan sealing the deal with another basket just seconds later.

The team now progress to the semi-final stage where they will face Castletroy. Having already been beaten by this opposition on a day when things just seems to fall apart in the third quarter for the Hazelwood girls, there is a score to be settled. With the opportunity to play in a cup final at stake, the girls will certainly take to the court with all guns blazing.

Team: A. Purcell, N. McCarthy, A. Molyneaux, S. Shanahan, T. Fitzgibbon, S. Sheehy, S. Nolan, M. Fitzgibbon, L. Nolan, E. O’ Sullivan, K. Cunningham, C. Corbett

Hazelwood College strike to success in Senior Hurling County Final

The Hazelwood Senior Hurling team, coached by Mr. Finn faced a challenging Hospital senior hurling squad in the Senior Hurling County Final.

Diarmuid Buckley got Hazelwood off to a good start with a well taken point from 65 yards out. The determined Hospital side edged their way back in with efforts such as a point from the 45 yard line. Every Hospital ball was handled by an excellent Hazelwood defence, led by Shane Butler. Half time saw Hazelwood 0-11 to 0-3 ahead.

An excellent Hospital point, in the opening moments of the second half, announced Hospital’s determination to force their way back into the match. When Hospital’s second attack broke in the full back line, Hazelwood’s John McDermott quickly intercepted the ball and assisted by Séan Flanagan and his two wing backs, Cillian Fahy and Peter Mulcahy, the ball was suddenly down the opposite end of the field, where Dean Collins slotted the ball over the bar, giving Hazelwood a comfortable lead. As time wore on, Diarmuid Buckley took his tally to 10 points with a man of the match performance.

As Pat Carroll, who refereed a very exciting and quick paced match, drew the match to a close, Hazelwood were the fitter team with the final score line of 1-22 to 1-03.

By: Cathal Walsh & Paul McMahon Transition Year 2014 Students

Picture 1: is of the Hazelwood College Senior Hurling team who were recently victorious over Hospital. Pictured are Back Row (left to right) Mr Matt Finn, Séamus Flanagan, Dean Collins, Alex Culhane, Shane Butler, Denis Donegan, Diarmuid Buckley, Cillian Fahy, William Enright, Glen McNamara, Daniel Curtain, Sean Fehin, Sean O’Sullivan, Cathal Finn and David O’Sullivan.
Front Row (left to right) Ryan O’Gorman, Cian Magner Flynn, Jack O’Sullivan, Sean Flanagan (Captain), Peter Mulcahy, Padraig Ahern, John Walsh, Jack Ryan, John McDermott, Brian Buckley and Timmy Larkin.

Picture 2: Hazelwood College Senior Hurling Coach Mr Matt Finn (left) giving Diarmuid Buckley (right) his man of the match award after the final

Hazelwood Heroines First and Second Year Camogie

Hazelwood College 7.10
Colaiste Iosaef, Kilmallock 1.1

Hazelwood College’s First and Second Year County Camogie League team continued in their winning ways on Tuesday when they defeated Colaiste Iosaef Kilmallock in their final group game. On a lovely sunny day, it was clear from the outset the girls were fully focused on the task at hand, with a pointed free from Bríd Flanagan in the first few minutes launching the Hazelwood scoring. Sustained effort by Aoife McMahon, Michaela O’Donnell and Chris Boyce in defence laid the foundations for some lovely scores up front with a further 1-1 from Bríd Flanaganand a goal and point from Mary-Kate Fehin leaving the half time scores at 2-3 to no score.

Despite being well on top in the second half, the intensity levels from the Hazelwood team never dropped. Further scores from Bríd Flanagan and Mary-Kate Fehin as well as Íde Cunningham, Maeve McCarthy, Emma McNamara and Aoife McMahon cancelled out quickly the goal and point Kilmallock scored in the second half and Hazelwood ran out eventual winners on the above scoreline.

The team now go through as group winners to the semi-final stage. After two fantastic wins, confidence is high and the girls look forward to their next game.

Team: Cathy Foley, Chris Boyce, Abby McDermott, Emma Browne, Michaela O’ Donnell, Aoife McMahon, Aisling Enright, Íde Cunningham, Áine Cunningham, Lorna Donegan, Bríd Flanagan, Mary Kate. Fehin, Orlaith Hennessy, Medhbh McCarthy, Aoife Murray, Emma McNamara, Eimear Lenihan, Helena O’ Sullivan, Shannon Mason, Ava Mullane

Hazelwood Heroines Snatch Victory in Local Derby

Hazelwood College 3.15
SMI 0.03

Recently, Hazelwood College’s Junior Camogie team travelled the short distance to Newcastle West to compete against Scoil Mhuire agus Íde. On a fine day for camogie, the Hazelwood girls came out of the traps all guns blazing with Mary-Kate Fehin (0-2), Íde Cunningham, Shannon Mason and Bríd Flanagan (0-2) all on the scoreboard before SMI registered their first score. Continuous pressure by the Hazelwood girls left the half time score at 1-10 to one point. Despite their lead, the Hazelwood College girls never let up. A great save from Cathy Foley and dogged defending by back Aoife McMahon and Aisling Enright contributed to further scores up the field from Aisling Cunningham and Mary-Kate. Bríd Flanagan bagged two outstanding goals in the last quarter to finish the game as a contest. Well done to all involved!

Scorers: Bríd Flanagan (2.8 (0.03 frees)), Mary Kate Fehin (0.04), Shannon Mason (1.00), Íde Cunningham (0.02 (0.01 free)), Aisling. Cunningham (0.01)

Camán and Run Competition

Hazelwood College students and winners of third place position in the national Camán and Run Competition (from left to right) Bríd Flanagan, Laura Stack, Mary Kate Fehin and Emme O’Callaghan are pictured in the grounds of Croke Park. The competition was staged at half time of the AIB Senior Club all-Ireland, where Milford retained their all-Ireland crown.

Hazelwood Silver Success at North Munster Schools Cross-Country

On January 30th, Hazelwood College’s athletics team travelled to Pallaskenry for the North Munster Schools Cross-Country Championship. The treacherous weather conditions were evident as we drove to the location, and we knew it would be a tough day for all. Despite the inclement weather our first triumph was Eimear Lenihan in the Junior Girls Competition, who ran phenomenally, keeping a steady pace at the front for the duration of the race. Thanks to her persistence, she eventually secured third place. This was a fantastic result.

This certainly wasn’t Hazelwood’s only success on the day as our senior boys secured a silver team medal. They were Peter Mulcahy, who achieved 6th position, Cillian Fahy, who achieved 7th position, Sean Flanagan, who achieved 9th position and Seamus Flanagan who achieved 20th position. They ran their hearts out, showing tremendous pace and endurance, constantly keeping together as a group, and after winning a silver team medal, they secured and qualification the National Schools Cross-Country Championship to show for their hard work.

The senior girls also did Hazelwood proud with three coming in the first 15, a spectacular result which saw Hazelwood win a second silver team medal and also saw the senior girls’ team qualify for the National Schools Cross-Country Championships. This senior team consisted of Denise Forde, who took 7th position, Emer Cunningham, who achieved 9th position, and Selena Kiely, who attained 11th position.

The intermediate girls, who also qualified as a group for the Munster’s Cross-Country Championship, put on a spectacular performance, never giving up until the end. This team was Mairead Lordon (13th qualifying as an individual), Tara Fitzgibbon (17th), Laoise Bennis (18th) and Ellanna Mulcahy (20th), all just outside the first 15, who qualified for the National Cross-Country Championships.

A number of other Hazelwood students ran on the day, but unfortunately despite their best efforts were not successful, most finishing the race just a few places short of qualification. Mr Grant stated on the day that he was “extremely happy with the outcome of the day and very proud of every student that ran”.

The students that qualified will now move on to the finals in Cork CIT, on Thursday the 13th of February 2013, and we are confident that they will once again do the school proud.

Picture 1: Hazelwood College’s Senior Boys’ Silver Team Medal winners, from left to right Seamus Flanagan, Sean Flanagan, Cillian Fahy and Peter Mulcahy.

Picture 2: Making their debut at the North Munster Schools Cross Country Championship were Hazelwood College first year students, left to right, William Boyce, Cormac O’Sullivan, Corey Knipe and Jack R. McCarthy.

Picture 3: Hazelwood College student and third place Junior Girl in the North Munster Schools’ Cross-Country Championships Eimear Lenihan with her coach Mr Kevin Grant.

Picture 4: Hazelwood athletes Kevin O’Leary (left) and Sean Madigan (right) at the North Munster Schools’ Cross Country Championship

Picture 5: Some of Hazelwood College’s female athletes at the North Munster Schools’ Cross-Country Championships, including the members of the Senior Girls’ Silver Team Medal winning team. Pictured are left to right: Rachel O’Reagan, Emer Cunningham, Ellanna Mulcahy, Tara Fitzgibbon, Laoise Bennis, Mairead Lordan, Allison Healy, Selena Kiely and Denise Forde.