Flynn fires Ursuline to All Ireland double

St Angela’s Ursuline 1-5 St Mary’s New Ross 0-7

The supremely talented Abby Flynn propelled the Ursuline juniors to a nail biting victory over St Mary’s New Ross at a wet and windy WIT on Thursday afternoon.

Her net buster ten minutes from time capped a player of the match performance. The captain pounced on a poor clearance from St Mary’s goalkeeper Hannah Dunphy and smashed home to give the Ursuline a slender lead. Chants of Olé, Olé, Olé came from the stand. Two All Irelands in three days for the red and navy.

In an edge of the seat finish, they tightened up at the back to shut out their opponents. Ciara Walsh spurned the chance to level before Elena Gallagher and Rachael Walsh produced goal line saves in a mad scramble. After raising three green flags two weeks previous, St Mary’s couldn’t break down a more resolute defence. Shauna Farrell missed out on the senior final but returned to hold Katie Murphy scoreless. Corner back Sorcha Cantwell starred in the first half.

Two packed stands created a carnival atmosphere. In stark contrast to the senior final two days earlier, this game was played in miserable conditions. The wind howled towards the dressing rooms and St Mary’s played with the benefit of it initially. The sides were level on three occasions before two Amy Cahill frees in added time left the New Ross outfit 0-5 to 0-3 ahead.

Faye Codd and Flynn traded two points each in the first quarter. Codd nearly goaled in the second minute but flicked the sliotar just wide. Flynn revelled at full forward in a switch with Aoife Fitzgerald. St Mary’s mentor John Murphy was sent off by referee Mike Ryan for confronting the linesman.

Ciara Walsh restored St Mary’s lead on sixteen minutes before Cantwell hooked Katie Murphy when she advanced on Gallagher’s goal. Star of the drawn match Aoife Fitzgerald equalised with a free to the right of the posts. Those two Cahill conversions carved out a two-point advantage for St Mary’s that their first half pressure merited.

The weather deteriorated for the second period. Fitzgerald drilled over a free on 33 minutes that Flynn won. The Ursuline full forward missed two dead balls before she levelled the contest for a fourth time (five points apiece).

Heading into the final quarter, Ciara Walsh soloed through the middle and struck her second point. From the next St Mary’s attack, Lucy Hogan received a yellow card for a foul on Murphy. Aisling Prendergast popped it over (0-7 to 0-5).

The hard-working Flynn engineered another free around midfield. Clodagh Carroll stepped up but her effort drifted to the left. St Mary’s stopper Hannah Dunphy decided to keep it in play. She cleared across her own goal however and Flynn grabbed the sliotar. She rammed it to the roof of the net. The Ursuline fans screamed with delight.

It wasn’t over yet. Ursuline retreated into defensive mode to thwart St Mary’s. Flynn foraged deep to earn a relieving free out. Alisha Flynn then forced a save from Dunphy in a late breakaway.

At full time, Ursuline were singing and dancing in the rain.

St.Angela’s are the first Waterford school ever to win an All Ireland A title. It is hard to imagine that St.Angela’s this time last year won Junior B for the first time.  2018 has been Remarkable year for St. Angela’s School winning both Senior B and Junior A in one week.

Scorers for St Angela’s Ursuline: Abby Flynn 1-2, Aoife Fitzgerald 0-3 (3fs).

Scorers for St Mary’s New Ross: Ciara Walsh, Faye Codd, Amy Cahill (2fs) 0-2 each, Aisling Prendergast 0-1 (1f).

St Angela’s Ursuline: Elena Gallagher (Gailltir); Shauna Farrell (Butlerstown), Lucy Hogan (De La Salle), Sorcha Cantwell (Gailltir); Holly Ryan (De La Salle), Sarah Maher (Gailltir), Jodie Tuohy (Gailltir); Clodagh Carroll (Gailltir), Rachael Walsh (Butlerstown); Laoise McLoughlin (Gailltir), Abby Flynn (De La Salle), Clodagh Hoctor (Gailltir); Alisha Flynn (Gailltir), Aoife Fitzgerald (Gailltir), Clodagh Curham (Gailltir).

St Mary’s New Ross: Hannah Dunphy (Mullinavat); Aine Galavan (Rower-Inistioge), Elaine Quigley (Cloughbawn), Brid Walsh (St James’); Niamh O’Shea (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown), Katie Kehoe (Horeswood), Niamh Ogilvie (Cloughbawn); Amy Cahill (Rathnure), Tara Doyle (Cloughbawn); Kate Foley (Horeswood), Ciara Walsh (St James’), Cria Langton (Rower-Inistioge); Katie Murphy (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown), Aisling Prendergast (Graiguenamanagh), Faye Codd (Cloughbawn).

Referee: Mike Ryan (Tipperary)

Ursuline goal spree delivers senior glory

St Angela’s Ursuline 5-14 Coláiste Íosagáin 3-14

St Angela’s Ursuline packed too much firepower for Coláiste Íosagáin in a scorching All Ireland Senior B final last Tuesday.

The Waterford school led this eight-goal shootout from start to finish in the spring sunshine but were never comfortable. Coláiste Íosagáin, roared on by their vocal supporters, attacked until the final whistle. Potent free taker Sinéad De Bhuilde was awarded player of the match. In the third quarter, they closed within three points on four occasions. Clodagh Carroll landed two frees before Ursuline’s fifth major through Aoife Fitzgerald sealed victory.

An uncontainable attack returned 4-6 from play. Waterford senior Annie Fitzgerald supplied 1-7 (six frees), full forward Aoife Fitzgerald scored 1-2 in five second half minutes, Abby Flynn hit two points while Rachael Walsh, Ciara O’Sullivan and Emer Walsh all found the net. In the absence of Shauna Farrell, Leah Sheridan and Niamh Murphy settled well into their new defensive roles. The Ursuline backs had their hands full throughout but battled right till the end of the game.

The Coláiste Íosagáin bus pulled into the ground just fifteen minutes before the scheduled start time and throw in was pushed back to 12.45. Ursuline started like an express train. Rachael Walsh blasted in a goal after just two minutes. Annie Fitzgerald tapped over two frees. In the sixth minute, Coláiste Íosagáin goalkeeper Maria Ní Bhuachalla was blocked down and Ciara O’Sullivan batted in (2-2 to 0-0).

Sinéad De Bhuilde knocked over two frees in response and Gráinne Ní Drisceoil obliged from play. On the quarter hour, Saoirse Mai Nic Aindriú collected a Leah O’Donoghue clearance and shot low under the red and navy defenders. Two minutes later, Emer Walsh’s ground stroke trickled into the corner of the net (3-4 to 1-3). A pulsating contest.

Coláiste Íosagáin reacted with De Bhuilde and Ní Drisceoil points. On 21 minutes, Annie Fitzgerald gathered a crossfield pass from Aoife Fitzgerald and fired Ursuline’s fourth goal. Despite the nine-point deficit, the Dublin school rallied nearing the break. Four of the last five first half points were claimed by the golden girls. De Bhuilde scored three and had one ruled out as Ursuline’s lead was snipped to six (4-6 to 1-9).

The high tempo continued into the second half. De Bhuilde attacked from the throw in and Niamh Nic Cormaic whipped home. Two Carroll frees steadied the Ursuline. Every time Coláiste Íosagáin got within a score, they struck back immediately at the other end.

1-4 without reply midway through the half settled this final. Aleisha McDonald became the sixth forward to register from play. Entering the last quarter, a Carroll free didn’t have the distance and Aoife Fitzgerald finished to the cobwebs. She added a point and Annie Fitzgerald dispatched two frees (5-13 to 2-12).

This didn’t deter Coláiste Íosagáin. Midfielder Michelle Ní Chiardha netted seven minutes from time after a great stop from Leah O’Donoghue. De Bhuilde’s total entered double figures in injury time.

Ursuline survived the late onslaught and successfully accomplished part one.

Scorers for St Angela’s Ursuline: Annie Fitzgerald 1-7 (6fs), Aoife Fitzgerald 1-2, Rachael Walsh, Emer Walsh, Ciara O’Sullivan 1-0 each, Clodagh Carroll (2fs), Abby Flynn 0-2 each, Aleisha McDonald 0-1. 

Scorers for Coláiste Íosagáin: Sinéad De Bhuilde 0-10 (8fs, 2 45s), Michelle Ní Chiardha 1-2, Saoirse Mai Nic Aindriú, Niamh Nic Cormaic 1-0 each, Gráinne Ní Dhrisceoil 0-2.

St Angela’s Ursuline: Leah O’Donoghue (Gailltir); Leah Sheridan (Gailltir), Lucy Hogan (De La Salle), Emma Flynn (Gailltir); Niamh Murphy (De La Salle), Colette Hogan (De La Salle), Hannah Flynn (Gailltir); Clodagh Carroll (Gailltir), Ciara O’Sullivan (Gailltir); Aleisha McDonald (St Annes), Abby Flynn (De La Salle), Annie Fitzgerald (Gailltir); Rachael Walsh (Butlerstown), Aoife Fitzgerald (Gailltir), Emer Walsh (Gailltir).

Subs: Clodagh Curham (Gailltir) for McDonald, Kate Lynch (Gailltir) for Walsh.

Coláiste Íosagáin: Maria Ní Bhuachalla (Cuala); Laura Joye (Naomh Eoin), Sadbh Nic Uileagoid (Naomh Eoin), Roisín De Fuitleigh (Kilmacud Crokes); Sarah Ní Fhionlainn (Kilmacud Crokes), Sinead Ní Dhonnchú (Kilmacud Crokes), Cassie Sultan (Kilmacud Crokes); Rachel Ní Airtnéide (Cuala), Michelle Ní Chiardha (Naomh Eoin); Saoirse Mai Nic Aindriu (Naomh Eoin), Sinéad De Bhuilde (Cuala), Siobhra Nic Aindriu (Naomh Eoin); Niamh Nic Cormaic (Bray Emmetts), Asha Heibe (Naomh Eoin), Gráinne Ní Drisceoil (Cuala).

Subs: Sarah Ní Fhaircheallaigh (St Judes) for De Fuitléigh, Aoife Ní Fhlannchadha (Naomh Eoin) for Nic Cormaic.

Referee: Alan Doheny (Laois)

All Ireland Minor ‘A’ Championship Round 4

Best of luck to our Minors on Saturday next who take on Clare in the final round of the Minor Championship.  A win or a draw will secure a semi final spot in the All Ireland Minor A championship.

EASTER CAMOGIE CAMP

We are holding two Easter Camogie Camps.  First camp will take place in Brickey Rangers on Tuesday and Wednesday 2^nd and 3^rd of April from 10am to 2PM.  Our second camp will take place in St.Saviours GAA on Thursday and Friday from 10am to 2PM.  The cost of the two day camp is E25.  To book simply text Chris Dempsey or Ita Murphy on 085 7137212 or 087 6296956.

Annual Dog Night Fundraiser

We will host our Annual Dog night on Saturday 14^th of April in Kilcohan Dog Track at 7PM.  Cost is E10 per person or E20 per family.  Tickets can be purchased by contacting our camogie office or Contacting John Flood on 087 6684474.

Waterford Camogie Office

Waterford Camogie office is opened every day Monday to Friday from 9am to 1PM. Our Office is located in Dungarvan Nissan.  If you have any queries or want to get in contact with us please contact Tanya on 086 8113531 or John Flood on 087 6684474.  You will also find us on Facebook and twitter.

Déise Minors overcome Tipperary to keep Championship Dreams Alive

WATERFORD 3-11 TIPPERARY 3-07

The Waterford Minor Camogie team made it two wins out of three last Saturday afternoon, after a thrilling four point victory over a highly fancied Tipperary side in Mount Sion GAA grounds.

In a do-or-die contest for the Déise girls, Saturday’s crucial victory now leaves them needing just a draw or a win in their final group game away to Clare next Sunday to catapult them into an All-Ireland semi-final in April.

Tipperary came into this game undefeated, having already accounted for Offaly, Clare and Limerick along the way, and were looking to sign the death warrant on Waterford’s 2018 Minor Campaign.

Yet Waterford bounced back in epic fashion after their St Patrick’s Day loss to Offaly to produce one of the greatest performances of grit and determination ever shown by a Camogie Minor team from the County.

The win was even more impressive given the disruption to training that the panel has experienced in recent times– no less than ten of the panel were centrally involved in the St Angela’s Ursuline Senior and Junior Panels, who both won their All-Ireland Colleges Camogie Finals on Tuesday and Thursday last, and four others are also currently playing their trade with the County Camogie and Football panels.

As has been the norm in this campaign to date, Waterford started the brighter and racked up a quartet of early points from Kaeisha Tobin (3pts, 2f) and Annie Fitzgerald. Yet two fortuitous goals by the Tipperary girls in the 10^th and 14^th minutes gave the visitors the advantage midway through the first half.

Tobin was proving to be a constant thorn in the Tipperary side, with the Dungarvan player centrally involved in almost all of Waterford’s attacking play throughout the game. She again linked up with Ciara O’Sullivan in the 17^th minute, with the Gaultier girl tapping over a fine point from thirty yards into the teeth of a difficult cross-field wind.

Tipperary were also causing trouble for the Waterford backline though. Corner back Aoife Hahessy found herself out on a tour of the Mount Sion pitch as she shadowed her marker Grainne Long out beyond the half back line at times. In the other corner, Leah Sheridan was left exposed in a one-on-one position against the dangerous Grace O’Toole, with full back Shauna Fitzpatrick sitting out in front in a sweeper role position. By half time Tipperary had opened up a 2-05 to 0-06 advantage, thanks in large to the free taking exploits of Cashel’s Caoimhe Perdue.

The five point interval lead was quickly wiped out early in the second half, when Clodagh Carroll, following up on points from herself and Tobin, raised her side’s first green flag with a cracking goal from 15 yards after five minutes.

It was nip and tuck from there on, as Waterford went toe-to-toe with the 2016 All Ireland Champions to see who would blink first.

Dungarvan’s Sarah Lacey converted the home side’s second major on the 45 minute mark to cancel out Tipperary’s third goal three minutes earlier.

Tobin kept the scoreboard ticking over for the home side with two more crucial frees, before Lacey scored the crucial goal four minutes from time to put her side 3-11 to 3-06 in front. Tipperary tapped over a final point in the dying embers of the game but it was Waterford who ran out deserved winners by four points.

In a team performance, laced with bravery, perseverance and dogged determination, Waterford had many key warriors on the day. Leah Sheridan, Shauna Fitzgerald and Hannah Flynn excelled in the backs. The midfield partnership of Clara Griffin and Keeley Corbett Barry won the crucial midfield battle to swing the result in the Déise’s favour. In Clodagh Carroll, Waterford have one of the finest players in the Country for winning the dirty ball in rucks, whilst she was ably assisted by Ciara O’Sullivan, Annie Fitzgerald, Maggie Boylan and two-goal hero Sarah Lacey up front. Wing forward Kaeisha Tobin was rightfully name Player of the Match after another exceptional performance.

All roads lead to Clare next Sunday as the Minor Bandwagon rolls on.

WATERFORD: Megan Foran; Leah Sheridan, Shauna Fitzgerald, Aoife Hahessy; Hannah Flynn, Mary Kate Curran, Roisin Dunphy; Clara Griffin, Keeley Corbett-Barry (0-1); Kaeisha Tobin (0-7, 6f) , Ciara O’Sullivan (0-1), Clodagh Carroll (1-1); Sarah Lacey (2-0), Maggie Boylan, Annie Fitzgerald (0-1). Sub: Isabella Markiwicz for Aoife Hahessy (h.t.)

Tipperary: Caoilfaoinn Maher; Laura Shinners, Anna Gavin, Thea Curtin; Sarah Bourke, Gemma Fox, Margaret Quigley; Sarah Delaney, Aine O’Dywer; Saoirse O’Meara, Casey Hennessy, Clodagh McIntyre; Grainne Long, Rosanna O’Donnell, Caoimhe Perdue.

Referee: Alan Doheny (Laois).