Ulster Schools Camogie – Corn Eimhear final:
St Patrick’s Maghera 3-15 St Killian’s Garron Tower 2-8
St Pat’s Maghera maintained their vice-like grip on the Conr Eimhear title when they beat St Killians Garron Tower in Wednesday evening’s final at Portglenone. Played in perfect conditions the fans who made the effort to be there were treated to an exhibition, with the Maghera girls always holding the upper hand, but though well beaten in the end St Killian’s gave a good account of themselves and can be proud of their performance.
The trouble was that St Pat’s had more players performing at a higher level, and their teamwork made them a more fluid unit, with stand-out players on every line. The Tower girls gave it everything they had, and in Eva McNeill they had a player to match anyone on the field, while Tamara Black worked her socks off and contributed well to the team effort, as did Eimer Ward in the half back line. St Pat’s just had a few more performing at a higher level and in Player of the Match Emma Quinn they have a real star.
Maghera dominated the first quarter with Emma Quinn in dominant form she sent over three frees to go with top class points from play from Aoibheann O’Loughlin and Grace McCartney and when Branna Donagh grabbed a goal they were in total control.
When Eva McNeill got her team’s first score from a free it settled her team and they started to show a bit more belief. McNeill added three more from frees, none of which were easy, and it helped settle her team mates nerves, but St Pat’s still had the upper hand Quinn stretched the Maghera lead with her team’s second goal, though St Killian’s efforts were rewarded when got through for a goal at the other end to trail by 2-08 to 1-05 at the short whistle.
Róisín McAtamney’s shot early in the second half deceived the St Killians goalkeeper and dipped below the crossbar for goal number three for the Derry girls and it was clear it was going to take something very special to close the yawning gap. They did find a bit of magic when Eva McNeill got through for a superb goal but St Pat’s were able to hold them at arms-length as they pulled away again to win by ten in the end to complete an impressive 4-in-a-row of titles. They will head into the All Ireland series in the Spring confident they can go even further.
St Patrick’s: Karen Birt, Isabelle Martin, Caitlin McNally, Gracie Mae Bradley, Ríona Scullion, Eimhear Conway, Clodagh McIlvar, Aoife McWilliams 0-1, Emma Quinn 1-7, 0-6 frees, Brianna Donaghy 1-0, Ríonach McNally 0-3, Gracie Diamond, Aoibheann O’Loughlin 0-1, Róisín McAtamney 1-0, Grace McCartney 0-1.
Subs: Caoimhe Roche 0-1 for G McCartney, Éadhaoin Bradley 0-1 for A O’Loughlin, Eva Diamond for R McNally
St Killian’s: Elen McAlister Aibrean Campbell, Laoise McCollam, Kiera McLaughlin, Niamh McCollam, Erin McNaughton, Eimear Ward, Eva McNeill 1-7, 0-7 fs, Tamara Black, Mia McKeegan, Dervla McMullan 1-0, Sorcha Carey, Laoiseach McNaughton, Cliodhna Thompson 0-1 free, Anna Birt.
Subs: Katie Burns for Aibreán Campbell, Aoife Campbell for S Carey.
Referee: L Bannon (Cavan)
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