Seamount College edged out St Flannan’s in a fiercely-fought O’Neill’s All-Ireland second level schools’ senior A camogie final played in very blustery conditions on a well-appointed Gort pitch. Scores were at a premium and indeed, there was only one point from play – via the stick of Seamount’s Cliona Walsh – in the 1-5 to 0-6 scoreline.
Carrie Dolan was the scoring star for the victors, providing a goal and four points, with the goal from a penalty just before half time that turned the momentum in the South Galway side’s favour.
Flannan’s began well and thanks to four pointed frees from Sinéad Quinn – their only scorer – led by three by the 22nd minute. The penalty goal gave Seamount parity though and their Clare opponents never recovered the same brio.
Instead it was Seamount that were energised and with centre-back, Emma Helebert giving a player-of-the-match performance, they resumed with four points and kept Flannan’s scoreless until the 53rd minute. Quinn did convert two frees but despite five minutes of injury time, the Ennis team were unable to find the equlaiser.
In the B final, Gorey Community School beat Holy Rosary, Mountbellew by 2-6 to 1-3 at the Ballykelly grounds in Monasterevin. Hayley Murphy, and a granite strong defence, were the major differences between two evenly-matched teams who played out an entertaining, breathless battle.
Full-forward Murphy grabbed a goal in either half to help the North Wexford school overcome a slow start that saw them fall 1-2 to 0-0 behind after just eleven minutes. Kate Screene and Catherine Finnerty were on target with points for Holy Rosary before Ciara Mannion forced home a shot from close range to give her school the perfect start.
Murphy responded immediately for the Mary Leacy-coached side with a drilled effort into the roof of the Mouthbellew net and by half time points from Ellen Roche and Murphy had the teams level.
With the Slaneysiders’ defence going 40 minutes without conceding, a brace of points by Roche, along with Murphy's second goal, gave the them ample breathing space at the end. Holy Rosary captain, Áine Ryan received some consolation by being named player of the match.
The C decider was won by St Dominic’s College as they just got the better of Sacred Heart Secondary School Clonakilty by 2-6 to 1-6 in Nenagh. Two second-half goals from Ciara Glynn secured the honours for the Cabra team, with the second coming in the closing minutes to deny the West Cork crew, who had hit the front thanks to Claire Sexton’s 50th minute goal.
Coláiste na Phiarsaigh Glanmire annexed the D title after another close final, coming out on the right side of a 1-9 to 1-7 scoreline against Loreto High School in the opening game of a Nenagh double-header, while Our Lady of Mercy, Waterford accounted for St MacDara’s Community College Dublin by 2-8 to 1-3 in Ballykelly.
