Limerick Colleges Junior Ladies Football
Hazelwood make it three in a row in a thriller
Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher: 4-4
St. Josephs Convent, Doon: 3-5
In a thrilling encounter which was nailbiting to the final whistle, Hazelwood College overcame archrivals Doon to do the double, Junior and Senior, again this year. It was the third title in a row for our Junior girls who are now putting down a marker for other schools in the county for a Senior ‘Three in a Row’ next year. Sheer grit and determination for Hazelwood won out on the day over a confident Doon outfit who were also favourites on the day.
From the throw-in Hazelwood were quick to settle and Clodagh Reidy pointed from 20 meters after five minutes following great work from Joanne O Gorman in the middle of the pitch.Captain, Lizzie Costello then had a point from a free but after ten minutes Doon struck with a goal- this only served to wake the girls up. Three minutes later they were back on track with a goal from Joanne O Gorman and a further point from Clodagh. It was all Hazelwood for the remainder of the half and a goal from Michelle Buckley and a well taken point from Lizzie Costello left the half time score Hazelwood College2-4 to Doon 1-0.
Playing with the breeze in the second half Doon were awarded two frees from sustained pressure and pointed both, before they came storming up to snatch a great goal giving Sinead Kiely no chance in the Hazelwood goals. Weathering the storm, Lizzy Costello took a great pass from Joanne O Gorman to solo forty meters up the right touchline before crossing a high ball for Siobhan Enright to fist into the back of the Doon net. Doon came back at Hazelwood and were awarded another free and were then fortunate to score another goal following a rare slip up in the Hazelwood Defense.
Hazelwood came storming back and forced the Doon goalkeeper into makeing some fine saves. Following some great runs by center-back Jennifer Stokes Hazelwood kept the pressure on and were eventually awarded a penalty by referee Pat Molyneaux. Clodagh Reidy took responsibility for the spot kick and converted it from a beautiful strike to put Hazelwood four points clear. Doon had the consolation of two more points from frees but Hazelwood were finishing the stronger side and were unlucky not to increase their winning margin when the final whistle blew. The final score was Hazelwood College 4-4 to Doon 3-5.
Best for Hazelwood on the day when a great performance was put in by all were Joanne O Gorman, Clodagh Reidy, Jennifer Stokes, Marie Galvin, Lizzy Costello, Patricia Kirwan, Bernie Stokes and Siobhan Enright. Captain, Lizzy Costello accepted the trophy from Tim Woulfe, congratualted Doon on a good sporting game, the management of Neville Park, Rathkeale and teachers Louise Beamish and Tom Halpin from Hazelwood College. We now go on to play Mitchelstown College in the Munster Semi Final.
Hazelwood College team : S.Kiely, C O Regan, M. Galvin, L. Coleman, P. Leahy, J. Stokes, M. Geary, J.O Gorman, S. Enright, P. Kirwan, L. Costello, C.Reidy, B. Stokes, M. Buckley, S. Curtain
Subs Used: R. White, S. Browne, J. Lenihan, N. Cronin, M. Shannon, E. Browne, J. O Leary
Doon team: B. Barry, V.O Neill, A. Ryan, S. Gammell, C. Mullins, L. O Donnell, A. Lougnane, L. Mullins, S. Moloney, M.C. Ryan, M. O Meara, R. Cummins, E. Berkery, T. English and J O Dwyer