Joey’s girls topple champions in Snr A Camogie Schools final

IN a fiercely contested battle, St Joseph’s College edged out local rivals Mount Sackville in a repeat of last year’s Senior ‘A’ Dublin Post Primary Schools Camogie showpiece and another thrilling final claim the title they last won six years ago.

The Lucan side had been beaten by the minimum 12 months ago but were not to be denied on this occasion, as they eventually overcame a stubborn Mount Sackville team 2-7 to 0-8.

Joey’s burst out of the blocks and were only denied an early goal by a stunning save from the Mount Sackville goalkeeper.

The Lucan side dominated the early exchanges however, with Sophie McIntyre, Orla Morrissey and Ríona McKearney testing the opposition’s defence, and established a two-point lead through an Aoibheann Scott 45′ and an Aoibheann Stokes point, set-up by Rachel Johnson.

The defending champions responded with a pointed free and two further points from play to take the lead, and only some resolute defending from Ellie Gaire, Captain Cara Ware and Lily Rooney prevented further damage.

However a further point, followed by a long-distance strike to the net from Stokes put Joey’s back in front again.

Another pointed free from Mount Sackville left them only two points behind at half-time – 1-3 to 0-4. Stokes, who was a constant threat throughout, extended Joey’s lead after the break.

However, once again, the Chapelizod side refused to lie down and responded with three quickfire points to level the scores.

Hannah Gibbs edged Joey’s back in front with a well-taken point after some good work from Chloe O’Shea, but typically, Mount Sackville drew level with a finely-taken score from the left wing.

Joey’s showed true determination in the closing stages however, with Stokes and Gibbs adding to their tally with points, and when Johnson pounced on a loose ball and swept to the net, St Joseph’s stretched their lead to five.

Mount Sackville threw the kitchen sink at their opponent in the closing stages but the Joeys’ defense held firm, with Lisa Flanagan, Aisling Behan and Caoimhe Costello clearing countless balls, and Aoife Murtagh working hard to hold possession in the forwards.

Mia Farrell was flawless throughout in protecting the Joeys’ goal, and the final whistle was met with huge cheers from the Joeys’ supporters.

ST JOSEPH’S: Mia Farrell, Vicky Alexander, Ellie Gaire, Béibhinn Forker, Cara Ware {C}, Sive Keogh, Lisa Flanagan, Leah Dunne, Mia Rooney, Lily Rooney, Aisling Behan, Aoibheann Scott (0-1), Caoimhe Costello, Rebecca Ní Raghallaigh, Leah O’Byrne, Chloe O’Shea, Rachel Johnson (1-0), Orla Morrissey, Hannah Gibbs (0-2), Sophie McIntyre, Ríona McKearney, Aoibheann Stokes (1-4), Áine Bresnan, Aoife Murtagh