Ulster Schools Camogie

Dominican College Fortwilliam 3-09 Carndonagh Community College 2-04

Dominican College, Fortwilliam showcased immense character and resilience in Glen Maghera on Friday, overcoming a four-point halftime deficit to capture the Lily Spence Shield with a stunning 3-9 to 2-4 victory over Carndonagh Community School, Donegal.The magnificent comeback sealed a remarkable double for the Belfast school, adding a second Ulster schools’ camogie title to the Junior Medallion Shield they previously secured in November. It was a deserved triumph driven by a devastating final-quarter surge that yielded three crucial goals, completely overwhelming their resilient Donegal opponents.

Despite a promising early start where captain Éabha Vallely fired over two of their three first-quarter points, Dominican found themselves temporarily on the back foot against the Inishowen outfit. Carndonagh’s attacking duo of Darcie Doherty and Tara McLaughlin each found the back of the net to establish a 2-2 to 0-4 lead as the break approached. However, demonstrating the grit of true champions, Vallely and her formidable midfield partner Molly McKenna crucially pulled back a couple of points just before the whistle, giving their side the vital lift they needed heading into the dressing room.

Upon the restart, the Dominican fightback truly ignited. Vallely and McKenna quickly added to their tally with early white flags, and by the 12th minute of the half, Vallely confidently converted a 45 to bring the sides level at 2-2 to 0-8. The decisive moment of the final arrived shortly after when Méabh McComish attempted a shot for a point. Though half-blocked, the sliotar looped agonizingly over Carndonagh goalkeeper Grace McGonigle and dropped into the net. While Carndonagh’s Darcie Doherty briefly interrupted the momentum by pulling a point back immediately, Dominican would not be denied. With just seven minutes remaining, Vallely launched a free from right out on the sideline that traveled all the way into the Donegal net. Only a minute later, Saorlaith Stewart put the result beyond any doubt, smartly kicking the sliotar into the goal following a chaotic goal-mouth scramble.

The victorious charge was anchored by stellar performances across the pitch. While Carndonagh’s primary scorers Tara McLaughlin and Darcie Doherty drove their team’s challenge alongside solid defensive work from Orlaith Doherty and Blathnaid Mooney, the day ultimately belonged to Fortwilliam. Vallely and McKenna completely commanded the midfield, while Rua Fitzpatrick and Áine Maskey were absolute rocks in the Dominican defence. The final tallies reflected Dominican’s varied attacking threat, with Éabha Vallely finishing with an incredible 1-6, including frees, complemented by goals from Méabh McComish and Saorlaith Stewart. Molly McKenna added two points, including a penalty, while Aoibheann Murphy chipped in with a point. For Carndonagh, Tara McLaughlin’s 1-2 from frees and Darcie Doherty’s 1-2 accounted for their entire scoring total.

The historic victory was achieved by the starting Dominican lineup of Zara Reilly, Ava Birch, Cailtin Donnelly, Lara Hickey, Rua Fitzpatrick, Áine Maskey, Amy McGuigan, Molly McKenna, captain Éabha Vallely, Méabh McComish, Aoibheann Murphy, Niamh Carlile, Isla McGarvey, Róise McLaughlin, and Saorlaith Stewart. Substitutions, Cliodhna Hannaway replaced Amy McGuigan on 24 minutes, before both Eiblinn Simpson and Effie Walsh entered the fray on 35 minutes for Róise McLaughlin and Isla McGarvey respectively.

The valiant Carndonagh sidelined out with Grace McGonigle in nets, supported by Roisa Duffy, Orlaith Doherty, Eimear Gallagher, captain Tara McLaughlin, Blathnaid Mooney, Olivia Crowe, Aoife McLaughlin, Niamh McElwaine, Sophia Crowe, Faye McWeeney, Eibhlin Nolan, Kate McGonigle, Darcie Doherty, and Naomi Synott.