First Year Camogie Blitz
Hazelwood College first years travelled to Mick Neville Park in Rathkeale to the Limerick 7 aside camogie blitz.
Hazelwood College played the first of three games against Coláiste na Trócaire, Rathkeale. Hazelwood started very strongly with some very strong forward play from Megan Nolan and Shannon Mason. Rathkeale soon got on the scoreboard and at half time, Hazelwood trailed by two points. The introduction of Mary Kate Fehin, Orlaith Hennessy and Chris Boyce at half time proved vital as Hazelwood scored a point to bring the score difference back to a point. Hazelwood battled hard to find the equaliser but a breakdown in communication saw Rathkeale score a goal, bringing the final score to Hazelwood 0-1, Rathkeale 1-2.
Hazelwood’s second game was against Desmond College. The girls were first out of the blocks and some great teamwork saw Mary Kate Fehin score a fine point from out the field. Hazelwood’s defence was rock solid with some great goalkeeping from Abby McDermott. The sides were level at half time with one point each. The second half came and a fantastic goal was scored by Maedhbh McCarthy after some great teamwork and a hand pass from Mary Kate Fehin saw Maedhbh bury the ball in the back of the net. Desmond College tried very hard to score but they could not break down the Hazelwood defence. Final score: Hazelwood College 1-1 Desmond College 0-2
Hazelwood’s third game was against Laurel Hill and what a game it turned out to be. The two teams were very evenly matched. Our defence was, yet again, excellent with great blocking and hooking from Aisling and Chris. Midfielders were brilliant with Megan Nolan and Orlaith Hennessy fighting for every ball and Shannon and Mary Kate were causing great difficulties for the Laurel Hill defence. The game ended with Hazelwood losing by a mere point, 0-3 to 1-1.
After the three games, Hazelwood qualified for the B final against Laurel Hill who had beaten them by a point in the previous game. Laurel Hill made a great start with a goal but Hazelwood never gave up. At half time, the score was Laurel Hill 1-0, Hazelwood 0-0. Hazelwood dug deep in the second half and a brilliant run from Orlaith Hennessy into the forward line and a superb hand pass to Mary Kate saw her bury the ball in the back of the net. The sides were level with only 2 minutes left. Hazelwood battled hard to prevent Laurel Hill from scoring but a free was awarded and Laurel Hill pucked it straight between the posts. Hazelwood had just one last attack that resulted in a 45’ which unfortunately went narrowly wide.
The girls put in a great performance and there is no doubt that they will have a great team. Most of these girls are still in training for a county semi-final in the coming weeks with the school’s first and second year camogie team.
Panel: Orlaith Hennessy, Maedhbh McCarthy, Ashling Enright, Chris Boyce, Lorna Donegan, Abby McDermott, Shannon Mason, Emma Browne, Ava Mullane, Megan Nolan, Mary Kate Fehin