Senior Schools Camogie Medallion Shield Final
St Dominic’s, Belfast 1-8 Gaelcholáiste, Dhoire 0-8
Wednesday 14 January
Brendan McTaggart reports from Erin’s Own, Lavey
Strong finishes to both halves was enough for St Dominic’s to claim the Medallion Shield on a rainy, windswept final against Gaelcholáiste at Lavey on Wednesday evening. Three points was the difference at the end of an hour where both sides played with incredible intensity and discipline in extremely difficult conditions.
Maeve Devlin would finish top of the scoring charts for the Belfast school, landing 1-4 over the hour with all of her scores coming from open play. Devlin was imperious throughout and proved to be a thorn in the side of Gaelcholáiste for the entirety of the contest.
She was ably supported by her midfield partner Amelie Annett, Amy Gault and Abaigh McNally while Clíona McGinley and Aoife Fitzsimons always looked dangerous in attack.
Gaelcholáiste were best served by Niamh Nig Uiginn. She may have had number six on her back but she covered every blade of grass while Deirbhile Ní Mhealláin came in for some close attention by the St Dominic’s defence. Ní Mhealláin led the fight for the Dungiven school in the second half but St Dominic’s with her speed and direct running but a late injury seemed to knock the wind out of Gaelcholáiste’s sails.
It was Gaelcholáiste who made the brighter start and held a two point lead having dominated the majority of the first half. St Dominic’s finished the half on top however with 1-3 coming in the last five minutes of the half. Points from Clíona McGinley and a brace of white flags from Maeve Devlin came either side of the only goal of the game.
While there might have been a hint of good fortune with Devlin’s goal, it showcased her ability to break clear from ruck and find a half yard to get a shot away. Wide on the left and under pressure, Devlin’s effort dipped viciously to go into the back of the net.
Leading by four points, they had to hold off wave after wave of Gaelcholáiste pressure in the second half. Points from Katie Nic Cionnaith, a brace of frees from Niamh Nig Uiginn and Deirbhile Ní Mhealláin came in response to am Aoife Fitzsimons point to leave just one between the sides going in to the final 10 minutes.
That would be as good as it got for Gaelcholáiste however as St Dominic’s finished strong with points from Fitzsimons and Devlin.
TEAMS
St Dominic’s: A Rice; T Culbert, A McNally, A Austin; M Monaghan, C Lynch, A Gault; M Devlin (1-4), A Annett; E Stewart, H McAllister, A Fitzsimons (0-2); C McGinley (0-1), R MacElhatton, E Kelly (0-1)
Subs: R McCourt for T Culbert (51); M Rooney for E Kelly (51)
Gaelcholáiste: R Ní Cheallaigh; B Ní Ghribín, M Ní Agáub, C Ní Bhrollaigh; E Nic Giolla Domhnaigh, N Nig Uiginn (0-6, 6fs), M Ní Mhuiríl S Ní Cheallaigh, R Ní Chearnaigh; K Nic Cionnaith (0-1), D Ní Mhealláin (0-1), O Nic an Bhaird; E Ní Mhaoláin (0-1), Ella Ní Bhrolcháin, M Seoighe
Subs: C Croskery for M Seoighe (34)
Referee: Paul O’Neill
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