There was heartbreak for the girls from Presentation Athenry when an injury-time goal ensured Loreto College Kilkenny snatched victory in the Tesco All-Ireland Post Primary Schools’ Junior A Camogie final at St Rynagh’s in Banagher.
Heroine Caoimhe Keher Murtagh finished with 3-1 to her credit, but it was the match winner that put Loreto ahead for the first time in the game, having fallen behind to a goal after just 25 seconds from Olwen Rabbitte.
While sweet for the Kilkenny girls, having been denied last year by a goal in stoppage time from St Brigid’s Loughrea’s Kate Gilchrist, it was tough for Pres Athenry, who had fallen to the same opposition in the Senior A final a fortnight ago.
Loreto did well to be level 20 minutes into proceedings, playing into the teeth of a strong wind. They recovered from the concession of a first-minute goal with two in six minutes from Keher Murtagh. But a goal and two points from Sandra Rabbitte helped Pres lead at the interval by 2-7 to 2-3.
The margin was the same 10 minutes in the second half, the teams sharing four points, but the Galwegians could thank goalie Laura Sweeney for making three superb saves. She was beaten eventually though and then Loreto clawed themselves level.
A replay looked on the cards, but Keher Murtagh had one last chance and the goal queen made no mistake. Athenry's joint captain Sabrina Rabbitte contributed 1-8 of her side’s tally, but it was not enough in the end.
