Cumann na mBunscol: Croker delight as schools titles taken home to South Dublin
By Stephen Leonard
IT WAS an emotional rollercoaster for hundreds of local school players in this year’s Cumann na mBunscol Finals played on Monday and Tuesday in Croke Park.
The opening day of the finals proved a memorable one for Divine Word NS as they landed both hurling and camogie honours.
Sadhbh Ní Chatháin of Gaelscoil na Camógie, Cluain Dolcáin, in action against Orla Dunne of Scoil Mhuire NS, Woodview.
First up were the former who edged a thrilling 3-12 to 4-8 victory over Gaelscoil Chnoc Liamhna in the Corn Aghais decider.
Ben O’Mahony spearheaded their attack with a goal an eight points while Tadgh Smith and Finn Nathan also both found the back of the net, with the latter scoring from a long range free in the opening half.
Goalkeeper Tommy Cullen pulled off a number of crucial stops for the Rathfarnham side and, at the other end of the pitch, centre forward Conor Quinn worked tirelessly.
Chnoc Liamhna can be extremely proud of their performance, remaining unbeaten right up to the final in which Rónán Ó Bréartúin registered two goals and a point for them.
He was desperately unlucky not to have a third, with another great strike hitting the crossbar after Liam Ó Dúill and Adam Mac Cárthaigh also rattled the net and Callum Ó Duibhir accounted for six points.
William Hook was on the score-sheet for the Knocklyon outfit while Ailin Mac Oireachtaigh turned in a stand-out performance at full back.
Divine Word completed a double an hour later when their camogie side raised the Sciath Haughey following a 3-3 to 1-2 triumph over Scoil Naithi.
In what was a repeat of last year’s final, Divine Word managed to avenge their loss on that occasion thanks in no small measure to two early second half goals by Holly McInerney and Aoife Sneyd.
Those two scores served to open up a gap after the two teams had found themselves deadlocked at 1-1 apiece at the break, Maisie White rifling home a superb goal in the opening half.
Ciara Kelleher played a true captain’s role at centre field, chalking up two points with Alice Smith also on the scoresheet and Katie Byrne, Clara Bermingham and Ellie O’Mahony rock solid in defence.
Ciara Kellegher of Divine Word NS sends the ball downfield as Aisling Mac Donncha of Scoil Naithi closes in during the Sciath Haughey Final.
Competing in their third camogie final since 2014, Scoil Mhuire NS, Woodview enjoyed cup success for the first time after they beat Gaelscoil na Camóige 7-7 to 0-1 in the Corn Nuri decider.
It was a powerful display by the Lucan side who were led admirably by co-captains Erin Cooper and Dublin Development squad member Mia Farrell.
Centre Forward Emma Hickey bagged a personal tally of 1-5 while Tegan Kelleher, Maeve Ruddy, Tar Fogarty and Amy Murray all located the back of the net also.
It was a most clinical display by Scoil Mhuire who also benefited from a very solid defensive display that featured a fine performance by full back Ellen Eakins.
Muirinn Nic An Bhaird accounted for Gaelscoil’s only score of the day but they did also boast an impressive showing by the likes of Lauren Nic Giolla, Sadhbh Ní Chatháin, Eimear de Frainc and substitute Nóra Jane Breathnach.
While it was a closer affair, Gaelscoil na Camóige also lost out to Gaelscoil Lios na nÓg 3-7 to 0-12 in the Sciath Mhic Phiarais decider.
Mathew Ó Bruadair and Mathew Ó Beacháin combined for nine points to help keep the Clondalkin side well in the reckoning, but shipping first half goals from Eoghan O Donnabháin and Darragh O Duibhir would return to haunt them.
Having lost out to na Camóige in the group stages of this year’s competition, Lios na nÓg turned the tables this time despite more points for the opponents by Charlie O Cinnéide and Leon Mac Euchaidh.
The match marked a third consecutive hurling final for the Clondalkin school and the second time in a row that they have been stopped just short of the prize.
Gaelscoil Mológa players cannot contain their delight after winning the Corn Sean Mac an Breithimh at the expense of St Brigid’s. (Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile)
It was a double for Gaelscoil Mológa on Day Two of the Finals as their hurlers bagged the Corn Mhic Phiarais while their camogie team brought home the Corn Sean Mac an Breithimh.
It was the clinical finishing of both teams in front of goal that served to see them over their respective final hurdles with the girls dishing out a 6-8 to 1-2 defeat to St Brigid’s GNS, Glasnevin while the boys carded a 5-6 to 1-9 triumph over Gaelscoil Inse Chór.
Ewan Ó Fathaigh led the charge for the latter as Mológa pulled away in the second half, carding a tally of two goals and five points while Rian MacGabhann, Finn Ó Dúil and Ruarc Ó Céileachair also struck to the net.
Oisín Ó Faoláin, Oisín Ramos Ó Fionnagáin and Páidí Crampton also turned in fine performances as they saw off their Inchicore opponents who, themselves, boasted some impressive performers.
Indeed Tadhg Mac Aodha chalked up seven points from play and the dead ball with Cillian Ó Catháin scoring a goal and Oisin Ó Bairéad producing a sublime sideline cut for another score.
Meanwhile Robin Nic an Mháistir rifled home four goals for Mológa’s camogie team as they cruised to victory in their decider an hour later.
Eimear Nic Eochaidh also made her presence felt with a contribution of six points while there were further goals from Éile Nic Gafraidh and Emma Ní Meachair and fine performances too by Liadh Ní Mhuirí, Laura Nic Phiaraic, Róisín French and Róisín Binse.
Gaelscoil Inse Chór did have something to celebrate on Tuesday as their second half surge propelled them to a 0-1 to 2-2 victory over Gaeilscoil Lios na nÓg in the Corn INTO title match.
It was all square at one point apiece at the halftime recess, captain Ruby Whittaker accounting for Inchicore’s only score in that period.
But two goals by her and Ruth Ní Ghormghaile set Inse Chór on course for victory and the school’s fourth camogie title in succession.
There were impressive performances also by Caoimhe Nic An Fhallaigh and Kyani Fuller among the backs with goalkeeper Ellie Ní Shúilleabháin producing a couple of very important stops for the eventual winners.
TAGS sports
