No denying rampant Chnoc Liamhna

GAELSCOIL Chnoc Liamhna were not to be denied in their pursuit of the Corn Uí Shíocháin as they steamrolled their way past St Benedict’s NS in last week’s final at Croke Park, winning out 11-4 to 0-0.

Despite the best efforts of goalkeeper, Rachel Fox, who was largely responsible for limiting the Knocklyon side to 2-2 in the opening half, Benedict’s were unable to stop the floodgates being blown wide open in the second period.

Ana Ní Dhálaigh emerged Knocklyon’s top scorer as she found the back of the net four times, while also seeing one effort over the bar.

Cody Nic Oscai was only a point shy of that handsome tally as she, herself, notched up four goals while Úna Ó Bréartúin weighed in with an additional 2-3 to help ensure there was no way back for Benedict’s.

The Knocklyon team celebrate

In what was a sublime team display for Chnoc Liamhna, Holly O’Dell was among their other standout performers as were Caoimhe Ni Dhonnchu and Alannah Nic an Iarla in defence.

For many of these Knocklyon players, last week’s title win marked a schools double, having enjoyed success on the Cumann na mBunscol football front earlier in the year – an experience that certainly stood to them in their march to the camogie crown.

“The girls have always played a physical game and that definitely helped us in the final” said Aoife Lynch, who coaches the Chnoc Liamhna side along with Sorcha Ni Bhuaidhe.

“A lot of our scores in Croke Park were from close in and that’s thanks to the girls’ relentless attacking.

“They had their hearts set on getting to the finals, so Sorcha and I are thrilled that their hard work and dedication has paid off” she added.