Junior Camogie County Final Success

Kinsale Community School v St Marys Charleville

Sunday 27th November 2022

The weather was not looking promising early in the morning but thankfully it cleared just on time as all roads led to Castle Road on Sunday for the Cork Colleges Junior Camogie Final.

Conditions were poor underfoot which had an impact on the game from the start and this KCS side were up against a strong and skilful St Marys team. KCS got the opening point which helped to settle the girls. This was quickly followed by two Charleville points, who then took the lead. The ball was up and down the field throughout the first half with scores for both teams, points coming from Catherine Murphy and Caoimhe Horgan for Kinsale. Half backs Maisie O’Callaghan, Ava McCarthy and Tara Hipwell denied dangerous ball from landing on top of the KCS full back line with outstanding clearances back up the pitch. It was a cracking goal by KCS captain Aoife Cottrell along more points by Catherine Murphy and Caoimhe Horgan which sealed the lead at half time. The score line after the first thirty minutes was KCS 1-8 to St Marys 0-5.

It was still all to play for as the second half got underway. This Kinsale side however didn’t take the foot off the pedal as they continued to fight for every ball. Great puck outs by Hannah Ganly lead to more scores for Caoimhe Horgan. Kinsale had more goal opportunities lined up but were denied by a very confident St Marys player between the posts. However, it was only a matter of time until Kinsale got their second goal which happened when Caoimhe Horgan made a direct run and drove the ball into the back of the net. The score was now 2-10 to 0-5 in Kinsale’s favour. This KCS side now dominated all over the field as not a single ball got past the full backs Pamela O’Donovan, Sarah Lynch and Caitlin Hurley as they man marked their players and refused to let St Marys score. The forwards, Nora Gould, Caoimhe O’Donnell, Aisling Rath, Sarah Graham and Carly Helbrow, battled for every ball as more scores came from excellent passes to girls running through. St Marys never gave up fighting and got two more points on the board. More points picked off from distance by Catherine Murphy and Emma MacSweeney edged Kinsale that bit further ahead as the time was ticking down. Two goals from Caoimhe O’Donnell and Caoimhe Horgan were the finishing touches to a fantastic performance and win for this strong Kinsale side. Full time score was KCS 4-14 to St Marys 0-7.

Team photo above:

Back L to R: Amy Harrington (Teacher/Coach), Tara Hipwell, Pamela O’Donovan, Caoimhe Horgan, Carly Helbrow, Nora Gould, Sarah Graham, Oonagh McCarthy, Maisie O’Callaghan, Meadhbh O’Sullivan, Aoife Cottrell (Captain), Kate O’Sullivan, Aisling Rath, Sophie Hurley, Dani McCarthy, Grace McCarthy, Emma Quinn, Ali Robinson-Kingston, Catherine Helbrow (Teacher/Coach)

Front L to R: Hannah Ganly, Caitlin Hurley, Erin Ridgeway, Caoimhe O’Donnell, Roisin Griffin, Ava McCarthy, Alison Dennehy, Sarah Lynch, Emma MacSweeney, Catherine Murphy