AB Trophies Camogie Shield Final:
St Genevieve’s Belfast 1-12 | Gaelcholáiste Dhoire 1-5
Sophie O’Hanlon delivered a spectacular performance to crown St Genevieve’s Belfast as AB Trophies Shield champions for the very first time in Portglenone yesterday afternoon.
The Gort na Móna sensation was virtually unplayable, orchestrating a controlled, commanding victory to finally lay the ghosts of last season’s Rosina McManus Cup final defeat to Gaelcholáiste to rest. O’Hanlon racked up an astonishing 1-10, firing over nine frees, adding a sharp point from play, and burying a crucial goal just four minutes before the break to permanently shift the momentum in her team’s favor.
While O’Hanlon rightfully took the Player of the Match plaudits, this historic triumph was built on a monumental, unified squad effort. The west Belfast school’s defence was an absolute fortress, brilliantly marshalled by Eliana Grant and Cady Brennan. Further up the pitch, the relentless, powerful running of captain Ella Cavannagh and Erin Cunningham continually tore through the Dungiven lines.
St Genevieve’s showed immense character and composure from the throw-in. When Gaelcholáiste snatched a point within the opening 30 seconds, O’Hanlon responded instantly, driving her team into a three-point lead by the 10th minute. Even when a momentary lapse allowed Eva Ní Bhrolcháin to scrape a goal and briefly edge Gaelcholáiste ahead 16 minutes in, the St Genevieve’s response was emphatic.
Refusing to let history repeat itself, they hit back immediately. Scores from O’Hanlon and Cunningham swiftly restored order, before O’Hanlon delivered the killer blow—a devastating goal just before half-time that sent St Genevieve’s into the dressing room with a commanding 1-7 to 1-3 lead. From that moment, they never looked back.
The second half was a masterclass in dominance and game management. Kayla Fegan split the posts right after the restart to set the tone, and O’Hanlon mercilessly punished Gaelcholáiste’s indiscipline with three more frees in the third quarter to stretch the lead even further.
When Gaelcholáiste desperately threw everything forward in the final 15 minutes, they ran into an inspired Sophie Johnston. The St Genevieve’s goalkeeper produced an outstanding save to deny the Dungiven side any hope of a revival, restricting them to just two second-half points. With O’Hanlon keeping her team firmly in the driving seat, St Genevieve’s cruised to the final whistle, cementing this squad’s legacy in the school’s history books
Scorers for St Genevieve’s: S O’Hanlon 1-10 (0-9f), E Cunningham 0-1, K Fegan 0-1. Scorers for Gaelcholáiste: E Ní Bhrolcháin 1-2, K Nic Cionnaith 0-2 (f), S Nic Giolla Domhnaigh 0-1.
St Genevieve’s: S Johnston; A Doherty, C Brennan, N McMullan; C Smyth, E Grant, S Rooney; S O’Hanlon, J Whelan; E Cavanagh (capt), A Largey, E Cunningham; A Connolly-Wallace, B Stitt, K Fegan. Subs: A Gallagher for A Doherty, L Gallagher for B Stitt, C Dunne for A Connolly-Wallace, G Stewart for K Fegan, S Rea for N McMullan, K McGinley for C Smyth.
Gaelcholáiste Dhoire: E Nic an tSagairt; C Ní Bhrollaigh, A Nic Cormaic, MK Ní Choinn; C Ní Dhoibhlin, C Nic Conmidhe, R Nic Oscair; AG Harbinson, K Nic Cionnaith; E Ní Bhrolcháin, M Ní hAodha, S Nic Giolla Domhnaigh; G Ní Cheallaigh, Ú Nic Ainmhire, S Ní hEara. Sub: F Ní hEara for S Ní hEara.
Referee: Ryan O’Reilly