Great excitement as Hazelwood College reach their first Camogie All-Ireland Final
Dromcollogher was the venue on Saturday last for the All Ireland Semi-Final clash between Hazelwood College and St. Brendan’s, Birr Co. Offaly.
Despite the wind and rain the girls from Hazelwood hurled as if their lives depended on it! The score-line does not reflect the intensity which existed throughout the sixty minute game. Despite having much of the possession for the first ten minutes Hazelwood were unable to break through Birr’s tough defensive lines.
Sarah Moloney opened the scoring with a well taken point and shortly after caused the white flag to be raised again. Niamh Cagney then found the back of the net with a rasper of a shot which the Birr keeper had no chance of stopping. Niamh continued her scoring spree with two well taken points.
Sarah Moloney had the game of her life finding the net after twenty minutes, also scoring from both placed ball and general play throughout the game.
Becky Ryan added to Birr’s misery sending over a fabulous long distance point. The back line of Joanne Murray, Sarah O’ Sullivan, Caroline Watson, Loretta Hanley and Katie O’ Sullivan were simply majestic in defence and did not allow the sliotar even touch our goalkeeper, Amy Ryan’s hands throughout the first half.
Niamh O’ Brien was sensational throughout the entire game both in defence and attack. She finished the half adding a point to the score-line from a 45. The halftime score-line read 2-7 to 0-0 in favour of Hazelwood College.
Birr emerged a different team from the dressing room, trying everything to break the Hazelwood defence, however the Hazelwood defence did not succumb to the more physical approach adopted by Birr at the start of the second half. Máire Flanagan and Aideen O’ Flynn covered every blade of grass throughout the game. Kallie Hodgson was a constant thorn in the side of Birr’s defence, weaving and wriggling way from each back that attempted to mark her.
Katie Dillane and Aisling O’ Brien delivered fast and furious ball into the goalmouth and both were very unfortunate on several occasions not to find the back of the net.
The introduction of new players worked extremely well and had the desired effect of diminishing Birr’s dream of reaching an All-Ireland final. Within minutes of joining the field of play, Grainne Sheehy had her name on the score board. Niamh Cagney again found the back of the net in the second half, bringing Hazelwood’s final score to 3-9.
The camogie played on Saturday last was of an exceptional high standard. No matter what Birr tried they simply could not cope with the skill and determination of the Hazelwood College team.
Saturday 28th March is the date for the All-Ireland Final versus St. Pauls, Kilroy, Derry. Despite this great wind each of the players knows that no silver wear has been won yet and the commitment and intensity at training in the past few weeks will have to continue in order to capture this All-Ireland title.
Special thanks to Dromcollogher/Broadford GAA for the use of their field.
Well done to all involved
Panel:
Marie Flanagan – Captain (Milford); Joanne Murray – V captain (Kileedy), Aisling O Brien (Knockaderry), Niamh O Brien, Aideen O Flynn, Katie Dillane, Ciara Fitzgibbon, Helen Bradley, Grainne Sheehy, Kallie Hodgson, Caroline Watson (Milford) ; Gemma Barrett, Orla and Emer Cunnigham (Kileedy); Sarah O Sullivan, Loretta Hanley, Katie O Sullivan (Feenagh- Kilmeedy); Niamh Cagney (Ballyagran); Sarah Moloney, Becky Ryan, Kara Clifford, Amy Ryan, Katie Coughlan, Aine O Sullivan (Newtownshandrum); Norma Kiely (Dromcollogher)
