No changes to Irish Women’s line-up

As Published on www.rte.ie/sport Monday, 23 August 2010 11:51

Ireland Women’s manager Philip Doyle has named the same starting XV for Ireland’s second game of the Women’s Rugby World Cup against the USA on Tuesday.

Doyle has made two changes to the replacements with Chris Fanning and Caroline Mahon coming onto the bench for Yvonne Nolan and Carol Staunton.

Number eight and former captain Joy Neville will receive the honour of getting her 50th cap for Ireland.

Ireland lost their opening game of the tournament against favourites England on Friday.

Doyle said: ‘I thought we deserved a little bit more.

‘We matched England at times but they are a great outfit and had a bit more pace and power. We will take the positives out of it and move on’

Doyle is now looking forward the USA game: ‘Our application was good against England but we will work on recognising our chances and taking them for this game.’

Ireland captain Fiona Coghlan was pleased with some aspects of the first game ‘Our scrum and defence have improved but we gifted them two cheap scores.

‘We knew it would be a hard game but we have to move on.’

Ireland team to play USA in the Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool B encounter on Tuesday:

Niamh Briggs, Amy Davis, Joanne O’Sullivan, Lynne Cantwell, Nora Stapleton, Helen Brosnan, Tania Rosser

Fiona Coghlan, Gillian Bourke, Louise Austin, Kate O’Loughlin, Marie Louise Reilly, Orla Brennan, Claire Molloy, Joy Neville

Replacements: Chris Fanning, Laura Guest, Caroline Mahon, Sinead Ryan, Louise Beamish, Shannon Houston, Mairead Kelly

England Women 27-0 Ireland Women

As Published on www.rte.ie/sport Friday, 20 August 2010

Four-try England got the better of Ireland in their Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool B opener at Surrey Sports Park.

Ireland’s sterling efforts, particularly in defence, warranted more out of this game, but tries from Fiona Pocock and Katherine Merchant had them 12-0 down at half-time.

Full-back Niamh Briggs missed penalty and drop goal attempts and while centre Lynne Cantwell threatened with ball in hand for Ireland, Amy Turner and Maggie Alphonsi touched down in the second half to seal a bonus point for the tournament hosts.

Ireland have never beaten England in women’s rugby but steadily, the difference between the sides has been coming down year on year. The English were made to battle for a 22-5 victory in Esher in this past season’s Six Nations.

It was a similar story here and the girls in green really deserved to be closer on the final scoreboard, given how closely matched the sides were in many sectors.

Despite some obvious nerves and uncharacteristic errors, England, with five successive Six Nations titles behind them, showed their finishing power when it mattered and two tries towards the end of both halves put them out of Ireland’s reach.

Fittingly, the fourth and final one fell to tireless flanker Maggie Alphonsi who put in 21 tackles throughout this gripping tussle.

The result will leave Fiona Coghlan and her team-mates crestfallen but their overall display was such that they will hold no fear about taking on the USA and Kazakhstan in their remaining pool games.

Playing into the wind, Ireland stood firm during an early barrage from Gary Street’s side, but numbers out wide on the left led to winger Pocock picking off a ninth minute try, which out-half McLean converted.

England’s forwards were beginning to boss matters as the first half wore on, but a frustrating penalty count and some tigerish tackling from the Irish kept them out of scoring range.

Ireland, for their part, threatened when Helen Brosnan and Cantwell combined in the backs, and a dropped pass foiled a promising move. They pushed on and drew further encouragement when a move involving winger Nora Stapleton created a penalty. However, Briggs was off target with the kick.

Amy Davis was well-tackled by Heather Fisher as Ireland looked to break their duck, and as the first half came to a close, England clinically turned possession into points. Alphonsi rampaged through the middle after a quick lineout, and the recycle was worked out to winger Merchant for the second try. McLean missed the conversion and a late penalty as Ireland turned around with a 12-0 deficit.

Strong forward play from Coghlan, Claire Molloy and Joy Neville helped Ireland begin the second half in good stead, again though their efforts went unrewarded as Briggs missed a drop goal shot.

Fisher, part of an impressive England back row, raced downfield on a break which got the home side firing again. A quick tap penalty from scrum half Turner saw her score from close range and push the lead out to 17-0.

Both Philip Doyle and Street turned to their benches for the final quarter, and England got a flattering fourth try, with Alphonsi clinching the bonus point just minutes after a successful penalty from McLean.

However, Doyle’s charges did enough on the opening night to suggest that they can better their eighth place finish from four years ago in Edmonton, and it will be a case of onwards and upwards for Tuesday’s encounter with the USA, who top the pool courtesy of a 51-0 win over the Kazakhs.

ENGLAND WOMEN: Danielle Waterman; Katherine Merchant, Emily Scarratt, Rachael Burford, Fiona Pocock; Katy McLean, Amy Turner; Rochelle Clark, Amy Garnett, Sophie Hemming, Becky Essex, Joanna McGilchrist, Heather Fisher, Maggie Alphonsi, Catherine Spencer (capt).

Replacements used: Claire Purdy for Clark, Emma Layland for Garnett, Sarah Hunter for Fisher, Charlotte Barras for Merchant, Tamara Taylor for Essex, Alice Richardson for Burford (all 62 mins), La Toya Mason for Turner (72)

IRELAND WOMEN: Niamh Briggs; Amy Davis, Joanne O’Sullivan, Lynne Cantwell, Nora Stapleton; Helen Brosnan, Tania Rosser; Fiona Coghlan (capt), Gillian Bourke, Louise Austin, Kate O’Loughlin, Marie Louise Reilly, Orla Brennan, Claire Molloy, Joy Neville.

Replacements used: Shannon Houston for Cantwell, Yvonne Nolan for Austin (both 62 mins), Sinead Ryan for Neville (75), Laura Guest for Coghlan (80+1). Not used: Carol Staunton, Louise Beamish, Mairead Kelly.

All Ireland Basketball Final

All Ireland Basketball Final

Some photos of the recent All Ireland Basketball final where our second year boys team did us proud. Losing by litteraly the last throw of the game in a tense final against Rathagan, Co. Meath

All Ireland Final Second Year C Boys:
Ard Scoil Rathangan 31 (A Whelan 10, N Nurney 7, D Gorry 7)
Hazelwood College 28 (S Flanagan 11, C Fahy 8, D Lacey 6)

Full match report to follow

Click on any image to see full size

Hazelwood Nets First Senior Basketball Title

Hazelwood Nets First Senior Basketball Title

Hazelwood College beat Castletroy, the powerhouse of Limerick Schoolgirls’ basketball, to claim their first county senior basketball title in front of a packed house at the UL Arena. The Hazelwood girls have come off second best to Castletroy for the past two years and the signs were again ominous after a lacklustre campaign this year. However a good showing against St. John the Baptist School, Hospital, four days prior to the final rekindled the spark that had been missing since the defeat in the All-Ireland final of the previous year.

Castletroy took an early lead in the first quarter as Hazelwood struggled to cope with the excellent inside play of Castletroy’s tall post players. Celia Cremin kept Hazelwood in touch with two good baskets before Victoria Harnett and team captain Ciara Meaney leveled the score with a basket each.

Hazelwood took to the floor for the second quarter, confidence boosted, and attacked the Castletroy defence. Never before have I witnessed these girls attack a quality defence with such skill and vigour. A combination of lightning fast breaks by Maire Flanagan and Vickie Harnett, aggressive drives by Celia Cremin and gritty defence by everyone saw Hazelwood outscore Castletroy by eleven points to two before Ciara Meaney nailed a three pointer with two seconds on the clock in the second quarter.

The dreaded nerves appeared at the beginning of the third quarter. Loose shots from outside gave the ball back to Castletroy too easily. Solid defence from Emma Purcell and Miriam Noonan in the centre of the key and Aoife Leahy in the corner made it difficult for Castletroy to capitalise on Hazelwood’s limping offence. A quick timeout settled the team and the girls went back on court and took control. Baskets from Cremin, Meaney and Flanagan gave Hazelwood a commanding 29 – 14 lead with one quarter to play.

The final quarter was played at a frenetic pace. Castletroy applied an aggressive full court press in an attempt to force quick turnover ball. Hazelwood, playing just one post and four perimeter players, easily broke the press and repeatedly scored from the fast break. Castletroy were reluctant to give up their title and dug deep to outscore Hazelwood by 18 points to 16 in the last quarter. The final action of the game saw Deborah Daly seal victory with a classy layup from a fast break by Suzanne Sheehy and Anita Lucey.

It was a special day for all concerned but especially so for four Leaving Cert students who were playing their last game for the school after many years fighting in the trenches with no reward. Best wishes for the future to Aoife, Ciara, Miriam and Vickie.

Photo
Back Row L-R : Desmond Lambe, Miriam Noonan, Suzanne Sheehy, Emma Purcell, Deborah Daly, Celia Cremin

Front Row L-R : Anita Lucey, Aoife Leahy, Ciara Meaney (Captain), Vickie Harnett, Maire Flanagan

Munster “A” Vocational Hurling Final News

Causeway comfortably win Munster “A” Vocational Hurling Final


Causeway Comprehensive 4-13
Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher 1-8

Causeway Comprehensive backed up an U16 All-Ireland hurling title with a Munster final victory at Senior level against Hazelwood College in Abbeyfeale. Full-forward Padraig Boyle opened the scoring in the first minute for Causeway, but Hazelwood quickly pegged them back scoring three points in the opening five minutes – two from Jamie Coughlan frees and a lovely score from corner-forward Jerry Lane. Tommy Barrett brought the difference back to the minimum through a long-range free. In the 10th minute Jamie Coughlan picked up the ball on the wing and soloed through the heart of the Causeway defence to score a beauty of a goal to leave the score-line on1-3 to two points and Causeway seemed under serious pressure. However in the 13th minute Causeway took control for a devastating ten minute spell. Shane Dunne, at corner forward scored 1-2, Anthony Fealy added two points of his own, with Padraig Boyle and Muiris Delaney adding a point each. With seven minutes to half time the score had changed to 1-8 to 1-3 in Causeway’s favour. Hazelwood rallied dominating possession until half time, Jamie Coughlan adding two points. Hazelwood had a couple of goal chances in this spell that would have levelled it but instead Causeway managed to sneak one at the other end. This meant that instead of going in level at half-time the score as now 2-8 to 1-5 and Hazelwood had a mountain to climb.

They quickly reduced this deficit after the break with a Jamie Coughlan point. He then traded points with Causeway midfielder Muiris Delaney. This was however to be Hazelwood’s last score until an injury time Paddy Sheey point as Causeway turned on the style and well and truly drove home their advantage. They were free scoring for the last fifteen minutes of the game, scoring 2-4. Daniel Collins and Padraig Boyle scored the goals, Shane Dunne scored two points and Luke Fitzell and Brendan Burke scoring one each. All that was left to do was for Kilmoyley man Tommy Mansell to lift the cup for a Causeway team that were indisputably the better team and worthy Munster Champions. Causeway now progress onto the All-Ireland Semi-final where they will hope to emulate the achievement of their U/16 team, while Hazelwood have to face the back door.

Causeway Comprehensive:
Nicky Leen, Bryan Murphy, Chris McCarthy, Dougie Fitzell, Tommy Mansell, Brendan Brosnan(0-1 0-1 free), Mark O’Regan, Tommy Barrett, Muiris Delaney(0-1), Daniel Collins(1-0), Anthony Fealy(0-2), Luke Fitzell(0-2), Shane Dunne(1-5 O-2 frees), Padraig Boyle(2-2), Tim O’ Brien Subs used: Ricky Heffernan for Tim O’ Brien (40 Minutes)
Joe McElligot, Eric O’Connor, John Silles, Pa O’Regan, Gary Galway, Paul McGrath, Mikie O’ Halloan, Tomas Casey

Hazelwood College:
Kevin O’Callaghan, Sean O’Riordan, Barry Lynch, Billy Naughton, John Barrett, Tadgh O’Flynn, Jamie Coughlan Seamus Sheehan, Michael Fitzgibbon, Jerry lane(0-1), Paddy Sheehy(0-1), Kevin Noonan Keith Lacey, Jamie Coughlan (1-6, 6 frees) Jimmy Kiely
Subs used: Micheal Brosnan for Keith lacey (45 minutes) , Padraig Lane for Seamus sheehan(45 minutes)
Ian Carroll, Brian Noonan, Daniel Egan, Paddy Hassett, Matthew Whelan, Diarmuid Coleman, Darren Boyce, Shane Carroll, David O’Donnell, Cian Mulcahy Danny McCarthy


Click on image to see full size

Munster A Camogie title Captured by Hazelwood College

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.

Click on images to enlarge

Path to the Final – Munster Colleges Senior Girls Football

Munster Colleges Senior Girls Football Final


Hazelwood College seeks first title

Having won the Munster VEC cup on three occasions, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and beaten in one Colleges Final in 2006, Hazelwood College are hoping to win this title which has eluded them for years.


Path to the Final

In the group stages Hazxelwood overcame Boherbue on a score of 7-17 to 1-1, then beat Kanturk in a close encounter 3-7 to 2-4 and were awarded a walkover from Bandon. In the Munster quarter final we had a good victory over St. Flannans played in Rathkeale, the score 3-8 to 2-6. In February we went down to Bansha to take on St Augustines of Dungarven and overcame them by 2-9 to 1-9. We now face Skibereen in the final on Friday March 12th in Dromcollogher and hopefully captain Ciara Meaney and the girls will up their performance and bring the cup back to Dromcollogher. Best of luck girls.

Path to the Final – Munster ‘A’ Senior Hurling

Hazelwood College – Path to the Munster “A” Vocational Hurling Final

1st round

Hazelwood College 6-14
St. Brogans 0-9

This game played in Mallow last October, was tighter than the score-line suggests. Four second half goals saw Hazelwood run out comfortable winners in the end.


Quarter Final

Hazelwood College 2-10
Borrisokane CC 2-08

This game was played in Ballina, co. Tipperary in November. Five points down at half time, it took a massive second half performance to run out two point winners.


Semi-Final

Hazelwood College 2-09
Roscrea CC 1-10

This game was played against favourites and reigning champions in perfect conditions in Lattin, Co. Tipperary on February 27th. Hazelwood got off to the dream start, gaoling twice in the early minutes but despite having a six point advantage with five minutes to go were under extreme pressure when running out six point winners.


Final


Hazelwood V Causeway Comprehensive, Abbeyfeale Saturday March 13th – throw in at 1P.M.

Hazelwood travelled the tough route to the final defeating the three teams who have dominated this competition in the last decade along the way. However, Causeway Comprehensive are not to be underestimated. Last year’s U16 All-Ireland champions are fast proving themselves the nursery for Kerry hurling with massive backing from the Kerry Co. Board and they were the dominant force in the Kerry Colleges team that competed in the Harty Cup this Year. This competition has never been won by a limerick school although Croom did compete in the 1984 final, in a team that featured Pa Carey and Anthony Carmody among others. However a team from the area did win it, Manx College in 1997, which the likes of the O’Connor twins of Newtownshandrum starring.

Hazelwood into Munster “A” Hurling Final

Hazelwood into Munster “A” Hurling Final


Hazewlood College 2-9
Roscrea CC 1-10

Hazelwood College reached their first ever Senior Hurling “A” Munster final after a hard fought victory over reigning champions Roscrea CC. Hazelwood got off to the perfect start, with a Jamie Coughlan point followed quickly by a goal from Jimmy kiely in the first 5 minutes. Roscrea were not knocked off their stride and opened their account through their free taker Jamie Bergin. Points were then swapped, Jamie Coughlan scored from a placed ball before wing forward Sean Cleary fired one over from Roscrea. Hazelwood then hit a purple patch scoring 1-2 in a three minute spell, 1-1 from Jamie Coughlan and a superb point from Hazelwood’s other Jamie Coughlan bursting forward from wing-back. A this stage Hazelwood were leading 2-4 to 0-2 but a Roscrea team with seven county Minors from Offaly and Tipperary were not going to lie down. Jamie Bergin scored two more from placed balls for Roscrea. A Michael Fitzgibbon point for Hazelwood was sandwiched between Roscrea points from Eoin Ryan and Jason Fitzpatrick to leave the score at half-time 2-5 to 0-6 points in favour of Hazelwood. Eoin Ryan quickly opened the second -half scoring through an Eoin Ryan free but Hazelwood responded with three frees of their own. Eoin Ryan and Jamie Coughlan then traded frees in a second half which was a tough low scoring affair. This left Hazelwood six points up with six remaining. These six minutes that were all about Roscrea attacking and Hazelwood fighting tooth and nail to keep them out. Roscea scored 1-1 in this period and dropped two late 65’s in around the square in search of a winning goal but they could not break down a Hazelwood defence that had played well throughout. Tadgh O’Flynn and Sean O’Riordan deserve notable mention as well as the hard working midfield pair of Michael Fitzgibbon and Seamus Sheehan. Hazelwood now go forward to meet Causeway Comprehensive in the Munster Final on Saturday March 13th in an attempt to back up last year’s victory at “B” level with a Munster win in the A grade. The venue is yet to be decided.

Team and Scorers:

Kevin O’Callaghan, Sean O’Riordan, Barry Lynch, Billy Naughton, John Barrett, Tadgh O’Flynn, Jamie Coughlan (0-1), Seamus Sheehan, Michael Fitzgibbon(0-1), Jerry lane, Paddy Sheehy, Kevin Noonan Keith Lacey, Jamie Coughlan (1-7, 5 frees, 1 ‘65) Jimmy Kiely (1-0)

Subs: Micheal Brosnan, Padraig Lane, Ian Carroll, Brian Noonan, Daniel Egan, Paddy Hassett, Matthew Whelan, Diarmuid Coleman, Darren Boyce, Shane Carroll, David O’Donnell, Cian Mulcahy Danny McCarthy