Impressive win for Junior Camogie team vs Ennis
Sacred Heart Clonakilty 6-12 Colaiste Mhuire Ennis 2-10
As the bell to signal the start of school echoed through the corridors of Sacred Heart, the Junior Camogie team were already navigating rush hour traffic on the south side of Cork City, making the journey to Charleville for their opening encounter in The Munster Colleges Junior Camogie Championship. First up in the competition for SHSS were Colaiste Mhuire Ennis in Charleville and an 11 start.
With Captain Amber Bishop winning the toss and deciding to play with the wind, the west Cork girls enjoyed territorial advantage for the first five minutes but were only able to register two pointed frees from the stick of Ailbhe Byerley.
The first quarter was to continue in a similar vein with the massed ranks of Clare defenders thwarting numerous attacks. A Megan O Regan point, after she found room to swing in a crowded goalmouth, was added to by a sumptuous Kate Collins point, off her left and from the sideline; these were the only reward as the clock ticked past the quarter hour.
Undeterred Shss stuck to the game plan and when Saoirse Gilmore blocked an attempted Ennis clearance, regained possession, and parted to Ailbhe Byerley, the dam finally burst.
The goal was followed by another point from Barryroe girl O Regan after she fielded the resultant puck out and returned it with interest. When the clock read 25 mins Shss held an 8 point lead, 1-5 to 0-0.
On a rare breakaway, Ennis goaled, totally against the run of play and when they consolidated this score with another two points, it was well and truly game on.
The Shss girls didn’t panic and responded rather than reacted. This reaction resulted in 2 quick fire goals from Byerley and a superb point from the ubiquitous Gilmore.
When we reached half time the scoreboard read Sacred Heart 3-6 Ennis 1-2,and the break was well needed after that breathtaking final five minutes.
Turning around to face into the gale force wind the question on everyone’s lips was “is the lead enough?” Even against the elements the work rate and discipline of the Clon School was exemplary. Hooking, harassing,blocking and spoiling were sprinkled with clinical finishing from limited territory. Ennis added 1-2 to their half time score in the first five minutes but the goal was almost immediately cancelled out by a Megan O Regan major after she outpaced the Ennis defence, latched onto an Aoife Harte diagonal ball, before rattling the rigging.
Try as they might Ennis could not breach a disciplined Clon rearguard, where Aine Hennessy, Maebh Lyons and Aisling Coakley all shone, complimented by the tenacious and supremely talented Niamh Doyle.
Goalkeeper is a thankless position on a good day but today Sacred Heart were indebted to keeper Megan Whelton who as well as making a double save at the start of the second half also saved a penalty and brought a calm reassurance to a sometimes hectic goalmouth .
The half back line of Aoife Harte Mairead Whelton and Eibhlin Murphy all contributed in both defence and attack. The unassuming midfield pair of Luisne Deiseach and Amber Bishop got through trojan work to ensure regular high quality ball to the inside line.
The forwards as a unit dovetailed well with the two wing forwards Roisin Forristal and Saoirse Gilmore working themselves to a standstill before they being withdrawn for a well deserved rest.
The strength of the panel was evident again today with some excellent performance off the back notably Ellen Foley who scored a well taken goal to conclude the scoring.
Sacred Heart now move on to a home game V Fermoy in 2 weeks time .
