Munster A Camogie title Captured by Hazelwood College
Hazelwood College 3-5
St Marys, Mallow 0-3
Dromcollogher GAA pitch was the venue for the Munster A Intermediate final where Hazelwood College took on formidable opponents St Marys, Mallow. The opening ten minutes was fast and furious played at a ferocious pace with Mallow dominating much of the play. Hazelwood College looked in trouble when St Marys opened the scoring with a well taken free. Niamh O Brien opened Hazelwood’s account with a point. Hazelwood had much of the play but could not seem to get through the Mallow defence. Amy Ryan had a fantastic save on the goal mouth and this seemed to wake Hazelwood up. All of a sudden there was a spark within the Dromcollogher side and a hunger was ignited within the whole team. Hazelwood’s defence battled hard and managed to keep the Mallow forwards at bay, scoring only from frees and a well struck forty-five yard puck. Meanwhile Hazelwood’s midfield duo of Tara Hurley and Grainne Sheehy worked tirelessly and delivered quality ball into the forward line. Up front Hazelwood had much possession but bad luck and some sticky defending by the St. Mary’s backs limited scoring output. Clever ball was played across the field to centre forward extrodinaire Ms. Aideen “Aidy Bear” O’ Flynn who ran in and resulted in a fantastic point. Meanwhile Niamh O’ Brien slotted over a forty-five to leave the Hazelwood girls go in at half time leading 0-4 to Mallow’s 0-3.
As the second half commenced, Hazelwood came out fighting- whatever Ms. Herbert had said during the break it did the trick! Every ball was contested with 100% and it was not long before the difference between the two teams became apparent. A quick well taken goal was taken by Aideen O’ Flynn and Hazelwood College now found themselves somewhat in control of the game. Each time the sliotar went in Mallow were put under great pressure by the Hazelwood full forward line of Katie Dillane, Becky Ryan and Sarah Moloney, who hassled and made sure no ball came out easily. In this half our full back line found themselves with little to deal with but the few balls that went in, they were sent out efficiently by Joanne Murray and Aisling O’ Brien. Sarah O’ Sullivan was brought on and delivered a inch-perfect ball into the full forward line. A goal line shuffle resulted in a goal for Hazelwood College taken by Máire Flanagan. Mallow’s forwards tried hard to force their way into scoring range but ultimately were not allowed through by the powerful play put in by Emma Browne, Niamh O’ Brien and lightening fast runs made by Katie O’ Sullivan up the wing. On one of these runs Katie landed the sliotar at the feet of Kallie Hodgson who took on her player and in turn put the ball over the bar. Ms. Herbert, moved our full back, Máiread Geary up to full forward which led to a goal. As soon as Máiread got ball in hand she only had one thing in mind and the finish left the poor Mallow goalkeeper wondering what had just happened! As the referee blew the final whistle, Hazelwood rejoiced after what had been their best display so far. Well done to the team and their coach Ms. Herbert on the deserved win!
Panel- Amy Ryan, Joanne Murray, Máiread Geary, Aishling O’ Brien, Katie O’ Sullivan, Niamh O’ Brien, Emma Browne, Tara Hurley, Gráinne Sheehy, Máire Flanagan, Aideen O Flynn, Kallie Hodgscon, Katie Dillane, Becky Ryan, Sarah Moloney, Niamh Cagney, Sarah O Sullivan, Breda Larkin, Elaine Noonan, Kara Clifford, Katie Coughlan, Helen Bradley, Caroline Watson.
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