It’s a Croker rollercoaster for local school teams
THERE was joy and heartbreak for local teams on the opening day of the Cumann na mBunscol hurling and camogie finals in Croke Park on Tuesday.
The Day One clash of Divine Mercy and Griffeen Valley Educate Together was one of the first games to get proceedings under way with the latter winning out 3-10 to 1-3 to raise the Corn Oideachas Cup.
An early point from Megan O’Leary settled the nerves for Griffeen, and that was followed by points from Seán Langton, Cathal Kennedy and two well-worked goals from Seán Carolan.
Points from Shane Dolan, Conor Dolan and Captain Matthew White together with a strong performance from RJ Valenzuela helped keep Divine Mercy in contention.
But Langton, Megan O’Leary and Adam Banim responded for the Lucan side to keep them in the driving seat right until the final whistle.
THE victory marked the first of two titles won by Griffeen Valley that day as O’Leary, Milly Hughes, Anya Dunne and Orla Donnelly, moments after the full time whistle went, lined out for their second final which saw their them beat St Columbas 5-4 to 1-3 for the Corn Na Mumhan.
The Lucan side, having only formed as a camogie team this year, found themselves in a right battle in the first half and, by the end of it, led by just a solitary point.
However, Griffeen’s backs remained tight throughout the second half with Orla Donnelly demonstrating great skill in goal while Megan O’Leary and Milly Hughes drove from the middle in what was a partnership pivotal to their triumph on the day.
A YEAR after losing on the final puc in the Sciath Mhic Phiarais decider, Caisleán Nua made it back to this very title match and, this time, went one step further, beating Scoil an Leinbh Íosa BNS 9-3 to 0-3.
Tadgh Morris, James Hughes and Ned Stokes weighed in with the bulk of the scoring for the eventual winners, the latter hitting three goals in the second half.
Ewan Morris was solid in goal while Colm O’Driscoll led an near-uncompromising defence and wing back Sean Flood also performed superbly, hitting a point after the break.
IN WHAT was a truly epic encounter, Gaelscoil na Camóige was pipped for the Corn Mhic Phiarais by Sacred Heart Ballygall 2-17 to 4-10.
It was looking good for the Clondalkin side at the halftime break after a goal from Aaron Ó Laocha and points from Daithi Mac An Ghallóglaigh helped them into a 1-6 to 0-7 advantage.
Calum Mac Hoisticín inflicted some heavy damage for Gaelscoil, emerging with 3-6 to his name and, together with Ó Laocha, formed a very powerful midfield partnership.
Séarlas Ó Cinnéide made a strong showing at centre back while goalkeeper Cillian Ó Dúnaigh pulled a great stop in the first half and was very effective with his puck outs.
But, despite all this, Sacred Heart kept battling away and were rewarded with the narrowest of wins in arguably the most exciting final of the week.
BALLYROAN GNS shipped a last-minute goal that saw them lose out 2-5 to 2-3 against Belgrove GNS in the Corn Sean Mac an Bhreithimh in Croke Park on Tuesday.
After a close, low scoring first half, Ballyroan trailed by two points, but, led by their co-captains Rachel Moloney and Karrie Rudden who served up a superb goal, they fought back to lead by a point, only to see Belgrove hit the net a second time late on.
Still Ballyroan have enjoyed a great season, winning all three of their group games against GS Eiscar Riada, Presentation Terenure and Scoil Mologa, before beating Diswellstown and GS Brian Boroimhe in their quarter and semi finals respectively.
THERE was disappointment for Holy Rosary, Ballycragh as they lost out to St Claire’s Harolds Cross in the Sciath Olly Quinlan decider.
Captain Amy Barrett netted Holy Rosary’s goal in the opening half, but it was St Claire’s who worked up a 2-3 to 1-0 advantage.
Keeper Lauren McKeever pulled off a couple of fine saves while midfielder Aoibheann O’Riordan put in a solid display as the Tallaght side fell at the final hurdle having won this title last year.
LUCAN Educate Together were also pipped at the post in their Corn INTO Camogie Final against Gaelscoil Ui Earcain of Finglas, losing out 1-1 to 2-1.
The northside school inflicted all of the damage in the first half as they established a 2-1 to 0-1 half time cushion.
Leah O’Byrne broke through to score Lucan’s goal in the first half while midfielder Chloe O’Shea hit the net in the second period.
Goalkeeper Thi Kearney pulled off a couple of superb stops, but the Lucan side was unable to bridge the gap on their opponents.
IN WHAT was their first time in a schools final in Croke Park, St Kilian’s raised the Sciath INTO at the expense of Lucan East Educate Together.
Emily Stoneham, Lucy Butler and Sarah Byrne were all on the scoreheet for the Tallaght side as they won out narrowly in an exciting decider 2-1 to 2-0.
Rallied by their inspirational captain Carly Harrison, Lucan East Educate Together played their part in a thrilling title match with Maisam Anzempamber and Christie Lunganga netting for the Lucan side in the second half, but it was not enough to bridge the gap.
