Cumann na mBunscol Finals: Joy and heartbreak in exciting schools battles

A LATE purple patch was not enough for Bishop Galvin NS of Templeogue, as they lost 2-6 to 4-4 to Gaelscoil Thaobh na Coill in their Sciath Austin Finn Final.

The Templeogue side impressed in the first half with Isabelle Gilleran chalking up three points, Sophie Tracey bagging two and Eve Mostyn also shooting over, but, shipping 1-2, they found themselves deadlocked at the break.

The Sandyford side started the second half just as they had left off in the first and Bishop Galvin were soon ten points down with as many minutes left.

And it could have been more had it not been for some fine goalkeeping by Eve Scully along with brave defending by captain Ola Nearney.

Bishop Galvin NS Templeogue put up a great battle, but were edged out in the Sciath Austin Finn Final in Croke Park (Image: Mark Pollock)

Clare Dooley and Jane Moran did locate the net but the deficit was too much and Gaelscoil Thaobh na Coill took the crown.

“We were under a lot of pressure in the second half” said Bishop Galvin’s co-manager Aisling Darcy. “Their forwards were clinical and won ball from our kick-outs. Our forwards didn’t get enough supply, but when we did get it up there, we were good.”

 PRESENTATION PS, Terenure beat Mount Anville of Kilmacud by 3-6 to 0-4 to raise the Corn Comhar Linn.

Presentation dominated the opening half, shutting down the opposition thanks in no small measure to the work of Robyn Carlyle and Amy Dignam in defence, while Rebecca Leon made some impressive stops in goal.

The Terenure side went into the break with a nine-point advantage and they continued to control the game after the recess with points from Chloe Smith, and co-captains Hannah Gobbins and Meisha O’Sullivan.

Mount Anville struck over four points in the second half, but goals from Kaci Hodgins, Helen Diagnon and Gobbins propelled Terenure far out of reach.

IN WHAT was a tense battle, Our Lady’s GNS Ballinteer edged out Gaelscoil Chnoc Liamhna for the Sciath Neasáin with the aid of three second-half goals that saw them to a 3-2 to 0-7 victory.

The midfield battle between Our Lady’s player-marker Ruby Brunton and Knocklyon’s captain Aobh Ní Néill was a captivating sideshow and encapsulated the game as a whole

Anna McGrath amd Ava Shefflin got on the scoresheet for Ballinteer while Ní Néill, Fírinne Ní Dhálaigh and Éabha Ní Ghríofa did the damage down the other end.

But it was Our Lady’s who pulled ahead after the break through Clodagh White, who found net after a Sophie Mahoney long ball in before full-forward Beth O’Reilly doubled their goals tally following a scramble in the box.

The pick of the bunch however was their third with minutes of play remaining when Ava Shefflin delivered a long ball in from the right wing for Chloe Toher to parry it down into the path of Emma Redden’s to blast to the net.

ST PIUS X BNS overpowered Ballyroan BNS 3-15 to 1-6 to lift their first ever piece of silverware in the top tier of the Cumann na mBunscol- the Sciath Kitterick.

It was ultimately the combination of midfielder Oisín Costello, centre-forward Hugh O’Neill and full-forward Con Fitzpatrick O’Doherty that proved a major thorn in the side of Ballyroan.

O’Neill’s goal came at a crucial time in the first half when the sides were level and helped them to an eight-point lead by the break.

Ballyroan did try to mount their own attacks but they were ultimately snuffed out by the physicality of centre-back Kerron King.

St Pius X BNS raise the Sciath Kitterick after a great display in Croke Park (Image: Mark Pollock)

While goalkeeper Patrick Fleming’s kickouts provided a perfect platform for his outfield team mates, Costello was able to capitalise on one of them to hit the net.

St Pius substitute Jamie Sharpe was sharp when he came off the bench, registering 1-2 from open play to put the cap on a classy display by the Terenure outfit.

OUR LADY Queen of the Apostles NS, Clonburris came up just short in their Sciath an Chladaigh Final, losing 2-6 to 1-4 to St Raphaela’s PS, Stillorgan, in what was their first Croker final in decades.

The game proved very tight with both defences on top in the first half.

Aoife McDermott, Sophie Tapiz and Tara Kelly were particularly solid for Clonburris while Sophie Butchart and Shonagh Byrne hit points for the Clondalkin outfit who were unlucky to be a goal down at half time.

After the break, Raphaela’s pulled away despite points for Clonburris by Ashley Trussler and Butchart again and a superb goal by centre half-back Aoife McDermott who found the net with a scorching effort from distance with five minutes to go.

 IN THE Corn na Laoch decider, St Kevin’s GNS, Kilnamanagh, saw off the challenge of Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Lucan, 4-5 to 1-4.

St Kevin’s GNS Kilnamanagh brought home the Corn na Laoch from GAA headquarters

The game was a tough battle with Kevins just four points ahead at the break thanks in no small measure to goalkeeper Holly Burke who came to her side’s rescue on more than one occasion.

The Kilnamangh outfit pulled ahead with more goals and their opponents were unable to keep place.

Lauren McCabe, sister of Republic of Ireland Women’s football team captain Katie McCabe, accounted for all four goals for Kevin’s, one of which saw her pick up possession in the half back line and solo through the middle, playing a one-two, before slotting it home.

Jodie Dempsey and Shannon O’Connor scored points as well while Aoife Kavanagh was superb on the ball and in the tackle throughout.

Her midfield partner, Elly Holmes, recovered from an injury at half time to turn in a great shift while, at the back, Abigail Judge and Holly Gobbet worked tirelessly to keep out the Lucan forwards.

“Every single one of them were brilliant,” said teacher Máire Kenny. “The fact we lost last year gave us that bit extra over Esker.”