St Raphael’s Loughrea clinched its ninth All Ireland Camogie title when they overcame Coláiste Naomh Cormac from Offaly by 2-11 to 3-4 in Padraig Pearses GAA in the Allianz Post Primary Schools Junior C All Ireland decider.
Their first title since they won eight senior A titles in a row 31 years ago, St Raphael’s Loughrea delivered a convincing victory over Coláiste Naomh Cormac from Offaly in Padraig Pearses GAA in Ballinasloe on Saturday.
First-half goals from Emily Lawless and Ameile Grogan helped lay the foundation for this victory, while the team showed great composure from the outset, having conceded a goal inside the opening two minutes.
Coláiste Naomh Cormac enjoyed the dream start when a poor clearance from Raphael’s defence landed for Lucy Lowry, who pulled on the ball on the ground into the back of the Raphael’s net.
The Raphael’s response was swift with player of the match Katie Murray and Leah O’Halloran replying with a points from play to reduce to deficit to one.
After a Karla Mannion point for the Coláiste, Raphael’s posted with 2-2 without reply to put them in the driving seat. O’Halloran made a great run to set Lawless up for their first major. Lawless then added another point to their tally before Grogan got their second goal of the day on the 10th minute.
Murray replied with her second score of the day in the 12th minute to leave it 2-4 to 1-1 in favour of Raphael’s.
Maedbh McClearn did well to stop Naomh Cormac scoring a second goal of the day in the 15th minute before Áine Rigney was on target a minute later for Naomh Cormac. But when McClearn batted a high ball into the square, Chloe Hollywood was able to get past McClearn, However, referee Mike Ryan indicated a free before the goal was wide.
Raphael's went in 2-4 to 2-1 ahead at the break, adding a free after the restart, and enjoyed a scoring spree with the next four points to extend their lead to six. Leah Behan and O’Halloran pointed from play, while two Murray frees left it 2-9 to 2-3 with seven minutes of normal time left.
Naomh Cormac did not give up hope, and in the 54th minute, from a long ball, Rigney found Quinn send the ball to the back of the net, and then added a 45 to reduce Raphael's led to two.
However, Murray stepped up with two more frees to seal the victory on a tight contest.
St Raphael’s, Loughrea: Maedbh McClearn; Caoimhe McClearn, Amy Morgan, Lauren Hoade; Aoife O’Meara, Aoife Connaughton, Lana Shiel; Caoilinn Corban, Katie Murray (0-7, 0-5f, 0-1 45m ); Anna Liston, Leah O’Halloran (0-2 ), Ruth Keogh; Emily Lawless (1-1 ), Leah Behan (0-1 ), Amelie Grogan (1-0 ).Subs: Alison Morrissey for Hoade (33 mins ), Zara Spellman for Grogan (54 mins ).
Coláiste Naomh Cormac: Caoimhe Spain; Eva Bracken, Ellen Gleeson, Kate Feighery; Mary Carroll, Elizabeth Kilmartin, Makalya Murray; Lucy Fitzgerald, Karla Mannion (0-2, 0-1F ); Issie Gleeson, Áine Rigney (0-1, 0-1 45m ), Lucy Lowry 1-0; Chloe Hollywood (1-0 ), Aideen Quinn (1-1, 1f ), Abby Hollywood.Subs: Emer Bracken for Murray (14 mins ), Lily Hand for A Hollywood (48 mins ).
Referee: Mike Ryan (Tipperary )
