Loreto Kilkenny 1-16 St Brigid’s Callan 0-6
Loreto Kilkenny started 2011 on a winning note as they easily cruised to a 13-point victory over their Callan school opponents played in John Locke Park, Callan on Sunday afternoon.
Loreto led 1-8 to 0-4 at the interval, and they completely dominated the second half inspired by a masterclass display from Grace Walsh the younger sister of Tommy. They outscored their opponents 0-8 to 0-2 following the restart. The early exchanges of play were even as Niamh Phelan scored a fifth minute point to open the scoring. However, Loreto took over afterwards courtesy of a piece of good fortune in the 9th minute. Claire Phelan stepped up to take a free 50 metres from goal.
She struck low, and the sliothar went all the way beyond Emma Boland. St Brigid’s remained in contention and they trailed 1-3 to 0-3 by the 20th minute, before Loreto slowly stretched further clear in the closing ten minutes of the half. Claire Phelan added three pointed frees, as Niamh Byrne (free ) and Emma Comerford also pointed to open up a seven point gap at the interval. It was all one way traffic during the second-half as Loreto oozed superior dominance.
The final scoreline would’ve been a greater margin, only for strong defending from the Callan school who to their credit defended very well. Niamh Phelan 0-5 (all frees ) scored all bar one of her school’s total, as Niamh Bambrick got their only point from play in the 10th minute. Loreto’s scoring total during the second-half came courtesy of Phelan (2 frees ), Niamh Byrne 0-3 (2 frees ), and one each from Emma Comerford, Aoife Murphy, and Orla Hanrick.
With victory assured, the Loreto mentors emptied the bench introducing Sarah Dunphy, Dervla Gannon, Tara Hogan, Sarah-Anne Quinlan, and Maureen Walsh. It was a highly impressive, efficient and workmanlike display from the Loreto school. The defense were completely dominant led by Grace Walsh who gave an exhibition of centre-back from start to finish.
The midfield duo of Niamh Byrne and Aisling Curtis subdued the influence of inter-county senior Shelley Farrell, while their attacking unit always posed a threat. However, their star attacker was Aoife Nolan. Nolan produced a superb display at wing-forward. Her work rate was exemplary, and she linked up superbly with her attacking colleagues. She was involved in a number of her sides scores.
For the Callan school, their best performers came in defence. The full-back line of Aisling Cody, Catherine Foley and Sarah Mockler were magnificent during the second-half, and the trio’s performance prevented a possible heavier defeat. The half-back line of Jenny Logue, Jennifer Cunningham and Rachel Hogan did their best. For Loreto it’s onwards and upwards, and no doubt they will expect a stiffer test in the All-Ireland semi-final scheduled for Saturday, February 12. Player of the match: Grace Walsh (Loreto Kilkenny ).
