Sports – Page 44 – Hazelwood College

Path to the Final – Munster Colleges Senior Girls Football

Munster Colleges Senior Girls Football Final

Hazelwood College seeks first title

Having won the Munster VEC cup on three occasions, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and beaten in one Colleges Final in 2006, Hazelwood College are hoping to win this title which has eluded them for years.

Path to the Final

In the group stages Hazxelwood overcame Boherbue on a score of 7-17 to 1-1, then beat Kanturk in a close encounter 3-7 to 2-4 and were awarded a walkover from Bandon. In the Munster quarter final we had a good victory over St. Flannans played in Rathkeale, the score 3-8 to 2-6. In February we went down to Bansha to take on St Augustines of Dungarven and overcame them by 2-9 to 1-9. We now face Skibereen in the final on Friday March 12th in Dromcollogher and hopefully captain Ciara Meaney and the girls will up their performance and bring the cup back to Dromcollogher. Best of luck girls.

Path to the Final – Munster ‘A’ Senior Hurling

Hazelwood College – Path to the Munster “A” Vocational Hurling Final

1st round

Hazelwood College 6-14
St. Brogans 0-9

This game played in Mallow last October, was tighter than the score-line suggests. Four second half goals saw Hazelwood run out comfortable winners in the end.

Quarter Final

Hazelwood College 2-10
Borrisokane CC 2-08

This game was played in Ballina, co. Tipperary in November. Five points down at half time, it took a massive second half performance to run out two point winners.

Semi-Final

Hazelwood College 2-09
Roscrea CC 1-10

This game was played against favourites and reigning champions in perfect conditions in Lattin, Co. Tipperary on February 27th. Hazelwood got off to the dream start, gaoling twice in the early minutes but despite having a six point advantage with five minutes to go were under extreme pressure when running out six point winners.

Final

Hazelwood V Causeway Comprehensive, Abbeyfeale Saturday March 13th – throw in at 1P.M.

Hazelwood travelled the tough route to the final defeating the three teams who have dominated this competition in the last decade along the way. However, Causeway Comprehensive are not to be underestimated. Last year’s U16 All-Ireland champions are fast proving themselves the nursery for Kerry hurling with massive backing from the Kerry Co. Board and they were the dominant force in the Kerry Colleges team that competed in the Harty Cup this Year. This competition has never been won by a limerick school although Croom did compete in the 1984 final, in a team that featured Pa Carey and Anthony Carmody among others. However a team from the area did win it, Manx College in 1997, which the likes of the O’Connor twins of Newtownshandrum starring.

Hazelwood into Munster “A” Hurling Final

Hazewlood College 2-9
Roscrea CC 1-10

Hazelwood College reached their first ever Senior Hurling “A” Munster final after a hard fought victory over reigning champions Roscrea CC. Hazelwood got off to the perfect start, with a Jamie Coughlan point followed quickly by a goal from Jimmy kiely in the first 5 minutes. Roscrea were not knocked off their stride and opened their account through their free taker Jamie Bergin. Points were then swapped, Jamie Coughlan scored from a placed ball before wing forward Sean Cleary fired one over from Roscrea. Hazelwood then hit a purple patch scoring 1-2 in a three minute spell, 1-1 from Jamie Coughlan and a superb point from Hazelwood’s other Jamie Coughlan bursting forward from wing-back. A this stage Hazelwood were leading 2-4 to 0-2 but a Roscrea team with seven county Minors from Offaly and Tipperary were not going to lie down. Jamie Bergin scored two more from placed balls for Roscrea. A Michael Fitzgibbon point for Hazelwood was sandwiched between Roscrea points from Eoin Ryan and Jason Fitzpatrick to leave the score at half-time 2-5 to 0-6 points in favour of Hazelwood. Eoin Ryan quickly opened the second -half scoring through an Eoin Ryan free but Hazelwood responded with three frees of their own. Eoin Ryan and Jamie Coughlan then traded frees in a second half which was a tough low scoring affair. This left Hazelwood six points up with six remaining. These six minutes that were all about Roscrea attacking and Hazelwood fighting tooth and nail to keep them out. Roscea scored 1-1 in this period and dropped two late 65’s in around the square in search of a winning goal but they could not break down a Hazelwood defence that had played well throughout. Tadgh O’Flynn and Sean O’Riordan deserve notable mention as well as the hard working midfield pair of Michael Fitzgibbon and Seamus Sheehan. Hazelwood now go forward to meet Causeway Comprehensive in the Munster Final on Saturday March 13th in an attempt to back up last year’s victory at “B” level with a Munster win in the A grade. The venue is yet to be decided.

Team and Scorers:

Kevin O’Callaghan, Sean O’Riordan, Barry Lynch, Billy Naughton, John Barrett, Tadgh O’Flynn, Jamie Coughlan (0-1), Seamus Sheehan, Michael Fitzgibbon(0-1), Jerry lane, Paddy Sheehy, Kevin Noonan Keith Lacey, Jamie Coughlan (1-7, 5 frees, 1 ‘65) Jimmy Kiely (1-0)

Subs: Micheal Brosnan, Padraig Lane, Ian Carroll, Brian Noonan, Daniel Egan, Paddy Hassett, Matthew Whelan, Diarmuid Coleman, Darren Boyce, Shane Carroll, David O’Donnell, Cian Mulcahy Danny McCarthy

Hazelwood College through to Final

Hazelwood College Senior Girls Football

Hazelwood College 2-9
St. Augustines, Dungarven 1-9

This semi-final, which was played in Bansha on a glorious day, was as tough as it gets but Hazelwood came through with flying colours to reach the Munster Final for only their second time in colleges football.

The girls from Dungarven set the pace early on and had two points on the scoreboard before the Dromcollogher outfit settled with Denise O’Connell slotting over a free kick ten minutes into the half. Two more points followed from play- Emma Browne from 30 meters out and a close range score from Denise O’Connell. Dungarven were then awarded a free kick 40 metres from the goal and the ball found its way into the back of the net.

Hazelwood continued to press and were unlucky for two goals- the ball coming off the back of the crossbar on one occasion from an Emma Browne shot and Ashling O’Brien hitting the upright close in. With five minutes to go the pressure did pay off and the same two girls took a point each. Some sloppy play from our full back line gave two frees away which were pointed by the Dungarven girls leaving the half time score of 1-5 to 0-5 in favour of St Augustines.

Hazelwood started well in the second half and again Denise and Emma scored a point a piece. From a poor kick out the ball once again reached Emma Browne and a 45 meter lob (like Beckhams) beat the Dungarven goalie and Hazelwood were ahead for the first time. One of Dungarvens better players leg tripped Katie O’Sullivan going through to score and was given a ten minute rest by the referee- Denise O Connell pointed the free.

At this stage Maire Flanagan took control of the game and kept the pressure on the Dungarven backs which resulted in a penalty when Vickie Harnett was brough down in the square after going clear of her marker. Tara Hurley stepped up to take it and cool as a breeze hit the top left hand corner. Dungarven had a few points from frees prior to this but another point from Emma put Hazelwood four clear. Dungarven pointed again late on but the final score remained at 2-9 to 1-9. Best for Hazelwood were Maire Flanagan,Tara Hurley, Mairead Geary, Niamh Greaney, Katie O’Sullivan, Denise O’Connell, Ashling O’Brien and Emma Browne.

Hazelwood team: N. O’Brien, S.Forde, M. Geary, N. Greaney, T. Hurley, M. Flanagan, L. Hanley, C.Meaney (c), N. Kiely, K. O’Sullivan, E, Browne, V. Harnett, H.Lenihan, A. O’Brien and D.O’Connell

Subs used: N. O’connell, G Shannon and A o’Flynn

Other subs; K. Hodgson, B Ryan, N. Mc CArthy, S Moloney, C Enright, C O Leary, A O’Connor, K Dillane, N Cagney, K O Leary and E Noonan

Outstanding Performance from Hazelwoods Basketball squad

Outstanding Performance from Hazelwoods Basketball squad.

As the sporting season rolls on Hazelwood College recently had a great day on the basketball court, coming out victorious over Desmond College from Newcastle West. The game had a great start with Lizzie Cremin scoring the opening basket of the game. Lovely baskets from Sinead Keane, Marion Brosnan, Aisling O’Connor and Christina Hartnett along with strong defence throughout, Hazelwood College were in the lead at the end of the quarter, 13-10.
The second quarter also started with a bang with Hazelwood College furthering their lead. Desmond played very competitive basketball but Hazelwood were on fire with their shooting, scoring 17 points in the second quarter alone. By the end of the first half Hazelwood had secured a very comfortable lead of 30 points to 14.
Hazelwood continued to play fantastic basketball throughout the second half scoring a further 14 points from Deirdre Cunningham, Christina O’Leary, Martina Curtin and impenetrable defence from Julie Mary Duggan, Gemma Barrett, Anita Daly and Katie Maguire. The girls all played exceptionally well and they truly deserved the great win at the end of the day. The Final score was 54 to 29 points. Well done Girls!

Girls Basketball Win

On Thursday 21st last, Hazelwood College had a great day on the basketball court, coming out victorious over Desmond College from Newcastle West. The game had a great start with Lizzie Cremin scoring the opening basket of the game. Lovely baskets from Sinead Keane, Marion Brosnan, Aisling O’Connor and Christina Hartnett along with strong defence throughout, Hazelwood College were in the lead at the end of the quarter, 13-10.
The second quarter also started with a bang with Hazelwood College furthering their lead. Desmond played very competitive basketball but Hazelwood were on fire with their shooting, scoring 17 points in the second quarter alone. By the end of the first half Hazelwood had secured a very comfortable lead of 30 points to 14.
Hazelwood continued to play fantastic basketball throughout the second half scoring a further 14 points from Deirdre Cunningham, Christina O’Leary, Martina Curtin and impenetrable defence from Julie Mary Duggan, Gemma Barrett, Anita Daly and Katie Maguire. The girls all played exceptionally well and they truly deserved the great win at the end of the day. The Final score was 54 to 29 points. Well done Girls!

Hazelwood College Show Jumping

Reporter: Gary Hanley

Over the past few weeks in Hazelwood College we have been busily preparing for our first interschool’s show jumping competition of the year. We aimed to compete on the 1st of November in Clonshire Equestrian Centre Adare. We had minor problems a few days before the competition but we came through these and were able put out a good team for the event. With this we decided to get in some practice and headed down to Clonshire where we went for four practice sessions. I would like to thank Dan and Sue Foley who were very obliging in allowing us to use their facilities in Clonshire Equestrian Centre. I would also like to thank Dan who gave us a show jumping lesson coming up to the competition.
We decided to enter both a novice and an open team. On the novice team we had Sophie Brouder on “Fiesta”, Rebecca O’Connell on “Millie”, Loretta Hanley on “The Big Al D” and Ian Morrissey on “Busby”. This team battled really hard and showed great determination to jump in the outdoor arena on a wet wintery morning over a tough course. The team performed much better over the indoor course and were unlucky not to be placed.
On the open team we had Sophie Brouder on “Tidal Bay Dreams”, Loretta Hanley on “Kirsten”, Rebecca O`Connell on “Lucky Free Spirit” and Sinead O Keefe on “Blue Chiraz”. This team showed great character and grit as the outdoor arena was very heavy under foot. The team battled through and came out of it with three clear rounds. Soon after they were jumping their second round in the indoor arena, the team showed great riding ability in here and we finished off with an overall team score of only four faults. We decided to wait until the team event was over to see if our hard work had paid off. After several hours of waiting around we were informed that we had been placed fifth. Naturally the team was delighted with such a great result in our first competition together. Hopefully we can take this result and push forward and compete in more competitions over the coming months.

Limerick Schools Basketball

The Hazelwood College second year basketball squad who beat SMI on a scoreline of 28 to 16 in the first round of the Limerick Schools Competition.

Junior Girls Football Munster Championship

Hazelwood College Versus Cashel Community School

On Monday 16th November the Junior Girls’ Football team did Hazelwood College very proud in winning a very important game against Cashel Community School. A miserably wet, cold and windy day did not deter the Hazelwood girls who got stuck into the opposition from the first whistle. Nicola O’ Connell got the scoreboard started with a point in the opening minutes of the game. Cashel did not take long to respond to our advances with point. Gráinne Shannon in full forward fought a hard battle to break the Cashel defence but popped a beautiful point over the bar. Again Cashel were on out tail and scored two successive points. Katie O’ Sullivan was not happen with this and tore ahead to score a smashing goal, smashing the back of the Cashel net. This upset Cashel who tore down our back line and scored a whopping goal. By the half time whistle Niamh McCarthy in half forward rallied another point. We entered half time leading by only a point. A good team pep talk got the girls revved up for the second half of their lives! Some team changes saw Amanda McCarthy and Sinead Keane taking their places on the pitch. The second half was neck and neck for a long period of time. Cashel scored a point and a goal which made our girls dig deep into their pockets for the fight needed to beat Cashel. Amanda McCarthy took matters into her hands by blasting home two goals. The forward lines were focused on the goal posts with six more points being hammered over the head Cashel’s goalie. A final whistle score-line of 4-11 to Cashel’s 2-4 was a superb win for the girls and congratulations from their coach Ms O’ Connor.

Panel: Lisa Collins, Kallie Hodgson, Sarah Forde, Becky Ryan, Martina Curtin, Chris O’ Leary, Aisling O’ Connor, Norma Kiely, Loretta Hanley, Katie Maguire, Nicola O’ Connell, Niamh McCarthy, Helen Bradley, Gráinne Shannon, Katie O’ Sullivan, Amanda McCarthy, Sinéad Keane, Katie Dillane, Aimee Sheehy, Ann-marie Molyneaux, Chris Hartnett, Claire Enright, Leanne Greaney

Hazelwood through to Munster Semi-Final

Hazelwood College 2-12
Borrisokane 2-8

Hazelwood College scraped to victory in this quarter-final of this Munster “A” Vocational Quarter Final against Borrisokane. The game was played in Ballina, Co. Tipperary and conditions though far from perfect were as good as you could expect at this time of year.

Hazelwood started brightly but did not make the most of their possession and though they dominated the opening quarter keeping Borrisokane scoreless, they only managed to put two points on the board themselves through Michael Fitzgibbon and Jerry Lane. The tide of play began to change direction – marked by two quick points from Borrisokane’s full forward, a Tipperary minor. Jerry lane relieved some pressure with a pointed free to put Hazelwood one up again. The next ten minutes were all Borrisokane though, they scored 2- 2 without reply and Hazelwood were grateful for another pointed free from Jerry Lane just before the break. This left the score at half time 2-4 to 4 points in favour of Borrisokane. Hazelwood had struggled around the middle third of the park but they had played against a slight wind in the first half.

A return to dominance around the midfield area and a grittier attitude pushed Hazelwood on to produce a far better second half. The newly introduced Jamie Coughlan scored a point within the first minute. Borrisokane immediately responded with a point. Hazelwood were beginning to exert pressure though and Jamie Coughlan scored 1-1 – the goal a well placed shot past the keeper, to close the gap. Borrisokane again responded with two points of their own. There was now fifteen minutes gone in the second half and Hazelwood were desperately chasing the four point gap. Jamie Coughlan scored again only for borrisokane to reply, the margin still four points with twelve minutes to go. This was to be last time Borrisokane scored, however. First Jamie Coughlan pointed a sideline cut, which Jerry lane followed up with a goal and a point in quick succession. Kevin Noonan then added another point to leave three in it for what was an anxious last ten minutes, during which Borrisokane had a few goal chances snuffed out. It was left to Paddy Sheehy to put the game beyond doubt with a point in injury time. Hazelwood face reigning champions and favourites Roscrea in the Semi- Final. First up should be the Limerick schools Semi-Final V Ard Scoil Ris.

Team and Scorers:
K. O’ Callaghan, B. Lynch, J. Coughlan, B. Naughton, J. Barrett, T. O’Flynn, M. Brosnan, S. Sheehan, J. Kiely, K. Lacey (0-1), P. Sheehy (0-1), I. Carroll, J. Lane(1-4, 0-2 frees), K. Noonan(0-1), M. Fitzgibbon (0-1)
Subs: C. Mulcahy, J. Coughlan (1-4, 0-1 sideline), B. Noonan, M. Whelan, R. Egan, S. O’Riordan, D. McCarthy, D. Coleman, C. Morrissey, P. Hassett, D. Egan, D. Collins, D. Boyce, P. Herlihy, P.Lane