Seamus McAleenan
St Dominic’s Belfast 2-7 Gaelcholáiste Chill Dara 1-9
A few weeks ago St Dominic’s became the first Belfast school to reach an All-Ireland camogie final. On Saturday in Castleblayney they became the first Ulster school to lift Corn Úna since it was introduced 14 years ago.
The key score was a goal from Erin Stewart in the 57th minute, 30 seconds after the quite brilliant Aoibhín Ní Dhubhshláine had pulled the teams level at 1-7 each.
Ní Dhubhshláine, who scored everything for Gaelcholáiste Chill Dara, responded with a point two minutes later and then pointed a free more than a minute into added time. But the Falls Road side held out to take the title.
Amy Gault gave them a promising start with a point from a free in the first minute, but Ní Dhubhshláine had her side level from a free and then in the 12th minute they took the lead.
Amelie Annett equalised and then Aoife Fitzsimons and Ríonach McElhatton combined for the latter to hit the net for the opening goal after 17 minutes.
Ní Dhubhshláine responded with two frees and then, when the sliotar wasn’t cleared from a scramble in front of the Belfast side’s goal, the Naas forward swept it to the net.
It was 1-5 to 1-3 then at the break and Ní Dhubhshláine extended the lead with a sixth point inside 30 seconds of the re-start. However Aoife McGivern, Erin Stewart, Aoife Fitzsimons and Amy Gault all pointed over the next ten minutes to edge St Dominic’s ahead.
Both teams then went scoreless for a quarter of an hour before Ní Dhubhshláine levelled to set up the dramatic finish.
Lamh Dhearg midfielder Amelie Annett picked up the Player of the match award, but in reality it was a huge team effort from the Belfast side to thwart the individual brilliance of Aoibhín Ní Dhubhshláine
St Dominic’s: E Stewart 1-1, R McElhatton 1-0, A Gault 0-2 frees, A Annett, E Kelly, A McGivern and A Fitzsimons 0-1 each
Gaelcholáiste: A Ní Dhubhshláine 1-9, 0-5 frees,
St Dominic’s: Aoibhinn Austin, Tara Culbert, Abaigh McNally, Maisie Monaghan, Róise McCourt, Amy Gault, Keela McAllister, Erin Stewart, Amelie Annett, Clíona McGinley, Aoife Fitzsimons, Caitlín McKee, Erin Kelly, Ríonach McElhatton, Aoife McGivern.
Subs: Aoibhinn McDonnell for C McGinley (40)
Gaelcholáiste: Leah Ní Bhuachalla, Tara Ní Dhufaigh, Naoise Ní Mheachair, Hanna Ní Uirlithe, Grace Gaillí, Doireann Ní Cheallaigh, Layla Nic Chraith, Aoibhín Nic Colla, Clara Nic an Rí, Niamh Ní Thuathaigh, Alex Nic Solaimh capt., Ruby Ní Bheolláin, Molly Ní Mháille, Aoibhín Ní Dhubhshláine, Dáire Ní Nualláin
