Munster Final Heart Break for SHSS

In what was an incredibly hard-fought Munster Junior Camogie final, where Coláiste Muire, Ennis pipped Sacred Heart Clonakilty in what can be described as a “right good tussle”, played on the splendid all weather facility at Clarecastle, Co. Clare. It was to be the long road home for the gallant Clonakilty students who fought every inch of the way, against a well-balanced, sharp and skilful Coláiste Muire side. It was the local team that raced into an early lead with 2 early points, one from play and one from the eye catching Croía Corocoran. Niamh Doyle, starting on the full at 14, made an equally good impression with a great point from play, however this was followed with an 11th minute response from the Ennis outfit. Ailbhe Berley who gave a terrific performance from the middle of the field, added one back for SHSS with a free. However for the next 10 minutes the Coláiste Muire girls turned up the intensity with some fast and direct running at the Sacred Heart defence. Corocoron added two points from frees, with the SHSS defence absorbing waves of attack and the scoreboard read 6 points to 2. However the never say die attitude of the Clonakilty students, resulted in an immediate response. Mairead Whelton at centre back found her feat and was ably assisted by Eileen Murphy and Amber Bishop on the wings. Luisne Deiseach was covering every inch of ground, hooking, blocking and supporting her team mates in every line in the pitch. Megan O’ Regan and Aoife White were also beginning to win puck outs and the platform that this created allowed the Sacred Heart girls to advance. The last several minutes belonged to Clonakilty as Ailbhe Berley thundered into the game with Niamh Doyle creating all sorts of trouble at full forward, scored thee excellent points and turned the game on its head going in at the break.

The talk on the terrace at half time was that it was going to be a goal that would be the decider. And so it came, just a minute into the 2nd half. An attempt at a point fell short and the resultant breaking ball fell into the hands of the onrushing Coláiste Muire player made no mistake. Once again Sacred Heart responded with Ailbhe Berley scoring from play and from a free. Ennis again responded to open up a 3 point lead again in the 37th minute. Megan Whelton showed her touch of class in goals with 2 very good saves from close range. From there on points were traded with Corocoran for Coláiste Muire and Berley for Sacred Heart the sole score takers on each side, to make the final score 1.9 to 10 points. The Sacred Heart girls can take a lot of pride from their performance. Coláiste Muire Ennis who led from start to finish were never allowed to gallop away with this one and were made fight to the very end in a most keenly contested and enjoyable Munster final. This team has lots of potential going forward with many of the team available next year. They can also take great satisfaction from their County Championship success.