CHAMPS! Tipperary school gets Munster final season off to winning start in emphatic fashion

Munster Schools Intermediate Camogie Championship Final

St Anne’s 3-8

Rice College Ennis 0-3

On Wednesday last, St Anne’s of Tipperary Town competed in their third Munster Intermediate Final in a row, winning their second as they had too much prowess for a brave Rice College team in Sean Treacy Park.

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The game started as a cagey encounter while both teams adapted to the wintry conditions. It didn’t take long for the Tipp Town girls to get used to the greasy sliotar, and it would be joint captain Ruby Kelly who got her first point of the day to settle the early nerves.

By the 12th minute, joint captain Isabel Heuston had marched up the field to get her first of the day. Right from the puck-out, Therese Ryan won the ball to feed Lily Maher, who picked out a long-range pass to Chloe O’Neill, who netted her first goal of the day.

Rice College were not disheartened, however, as they launched a number of attacks in the lead-up to half-time. 

The full-back line of Megan O’Connor, Belle Kelly and Kate Leahy would not be passed until the 23rd minute, when Rice College notched their first point, quickly followed by another from a free. 

Ciara Farrell and Emma Hayes proved very effective in the half-forward line, winning countless balls and subsequently providing the assist to O’Neill for her second goal. Ava O’Connor wrapped up the scoring in the first half with a run from midfield.

The second half was dominated by St Anne’s, and Natasha Cussen’s first touch and long puck-outs caused havoc for the opposition on a wet day. 

It was the turn of Caoilinn Grogan to turn provider as she stole the ball from the Rice College full-back line to see O’Neill complete her hat-trick. Claire Gubbins worked tirelessly in defence, and her composure proved vital in some testing moments. 

Heuston and Maher’s ability to block ball after ball lifted the crowd on many occasions, as did Anna Ryan’s solo point in the 48th minute. Heuston got her second before Kelly added two more points to finish the day with a personal tally of 0-4.

Grainne Barry, Clodagh Kilmartin, Rebecca Ryan, Aine Hayes and Caoimhe Mooney slotted in throughout the second half to secure a historic back-to-back Munster title win, which was capped off by an amazing team performance. 

Rice College struggled to get into the game from the start, but they still never gave up despite the game getting away from them early. They had good performances from Hannah Kennedy, Grace McGrath, and Sheena Berine, amongst others, but just never got going at any stage to threaten their opponents on the day.

St Anne’s: Natasha Cussen (Galbally); Claire Gubbins (Cahir), Kate Leahy (Knockavilla Kickhams), Megan O’Connor (Kilmallock); Belle Kelly (Knockavilla Kickhams), Isabel Heuston (Galbally), Therese Ryan (Knockavilla Kickhams); Anna Butler (Knockavilla Kickhams), Chloe O’Neill (Éire Óg Annacarty); Ava O’Connor (Kilmallock), Ruby Kelly (Knockavilla Kickhams), Ciara Farrell (Knockavilla Kickhams); Caoilinn Grogan (Aherlow), Lily Maher (Arravale Rovers), Emma Hayes (Éire Óg Annacarty).

Subs used: Aisling Ryan (Éire Óg Annacarty), Anna Ryan (Knockavilla Kickhams), Grainne Barry (Éire Óg Annacarty), Clodagh Kilmartin (Éire Óg Annacarty), Aine Hayes (Knockavilla Kickhams), Rebecca Ryan (Éire Óg Annacarthy), Caoimhe Mooney (Éire Óg Annacarty), Alayna Hogan (Rockwell Rovers).

Rice College: Kaylin Mulcahy (Éire Óg Ennis), Jasmine Dos Santos (The Banner), Saidhbh Warner (St Joseph’s Doora Barefield), Chloe McQuade (The Banner), Emily Quinn (Éire Óg Ennis), Hanna Kennedy (St Joseph’s Doora Barefield), Grace McGrath (The Banner), Lily-Mae Lyons (Ruan), Martha Walsh (The Banner), Hanna McDermott (Éire Óg Ennis), Sheena Berine (Clooney Quin), Sophie Haugh (Ruan), Sophie McQuade (The Banner), Kate Howard (St Joseph’s Doora Barefield), Doireann Egan (Clooney Quin).

Subs used: Abby O’Brien (Crusheen), Grace Murphy (The Banner), Laura McCormack (Newmarket-on-Fergus), Aoibheann McGrath (The Banner), Sile Barrett (The Banner), Maria Kurcastova (The Banner), Jessica Coffey (The Banner), Emma Murphy (The Banner), Emma O’Connell (The Banner), Aideen Duggan (The Banner), Kelly Mulvey (The Banner), Aoife Barrett (The Banner).

Referee: John O’Dwyer

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