All-Ireland glory for Our Lady's who win the decider in comprehensive fashion

Allianz Senior D Post Primary Camogie All-Ireland Final

Our Lady’s Templemore    1-14

Our Lady of Lourdes Rosbercon, New Ross  0-9

By Ronan Loughnane

Our Lady’s Templemore claimed their first Senior Camogie crown since 2014 when they defeated Our Lady of Lourdes, Rosbercon, New Ross, to claim the Donal Burke Cup at Johnstown on Saturday last. 

Ultimately it was their ability to take their scores from play when the opportunities arose that proved the difference between the sides. It certainly didn’t look that way in the opening minutes as the Wexford girls started brightly with Amy Cody landing the opening score from play inside 23 seconds and Laura Doherty doubling their lead in the fourth minute. 

Incredibly that was to be their last score from play as Templemore, aided by a very strong breeze, completely took over. Caitlyn Treacy moved to midfield at the throw-in with Shona McBride switching to wing forward and these two caused endless problems for the Rosbercon defence. 

Their dominance ensured a plentiful supply of ball to Eimear Hassett at full-forward and she steadied the ship with a goal in the 5th minute. By the end of the opening quarter, she had added four more points (2f) along with Treacy’s first to leave Our Lady’s 1-5 to 0-2 ahead. 

They were in complete control by now with the Rosbercon puckout in serious trouble. Stephanie Treacy had a great goal chance saved in the 16th minute before the impressive McBride added a point a minute later. Caitlyn Treacy (3), Hassett (2) and Stephanie Treacy all pointed to leave Our Lady’s way out in front at the break, 1-12 to 0-3. 

Turning to play with the breeze one would have expected an early Rosbercon charge, but two Hassett frees in the opening six minutes extended Our Lady’s lead to 14 points and effectively killed the game. 

While Templemore would not score again, their defence stood up and defended stoutly, limiting Rosbercon to six-point frees. Mary Breslin and Tara Hoare were very strong at the heart of the defence while Katie Nevin, Caroline Johnston, Katie Hanrahan and Aoife Bergin gave very little away. 

Anna Cribin was solid in goals, Orfhlaith Bergin was effective in her sweeper role while the three Ciara’s (Walsh, Kennedy and Cahill) worked tirelessly throughout. Rosbercon had no answer to the power of Caithlyn Treacy while her twin sister Stephanie contributed handsomely to the win. Shona McBride’s endless running tormented the Wexford defence while Eimear Hassett always took the right option, ending the day with 1-8 to her name. 

There were great celebrations in Templemore after the game as the Thomas McDonagh Pipe Band paraded the girls up the town square and into the school where the Bourke brothers, Martin and Seamus, gave a rousing rendition of Sliabh na mBan. Well done to the panel and the management team of Avril Kinnerk, Amy Quinlan, Aoife Campion, Declan Leamy and Ciara Bourke. 

From an observer’s viewpoint, it was disappointing to see no tricolour flying on All-Ireland final day, while we also had no official linesmen or scoreboard. 

Our Lady’s Templemore: Anna Cribin (St. Brigid’s, Errill); Kate Nevin (Templemore), Mary Breslin (Clonakenny), Caroline Johnston (Templemore); Katie Hanrahan (St. Brigid’s, Errill), Tara Hoare (Drom & Inch), Aoife Bergin (Templemore); Ciara Walsh (Templemore), Shona McBride (Templemore, 0-1); Ciara Kennedy (Templemore), Caithlyn Treacy (Moneygall, 0-4, 0-1f), Stephanie Treacy (Moneygall, 0-1); Orfhlaith Bergin (Templemore), Eimear Hassett (St. Brigid’s Errill, 1-8, 0-5f), Ciara Cahill  (Drom & Inch). 

Subs used: Julie Grey (Templemore) for Kennedy (50); Annie Phelan (Slieve Felim Raparees) for Hanrahan (53); Laurie Mullins (Drom & Inch) for McBride (60, inj). 

Our Lady of Lourdes: Amy Kent (Horeswood); Lily Doyle (Glenmore), Aoibhinn Cooper (Cloughbawn), Sinead Jones (Glenmore); Oonagh Malone (Glenmore), Sara-May Walsh (Glenmore), Aoife Dooley (Tullogher); Maeve Bookle (Tullogher), Eabha Mullally (Glenmore); Ava O’Leary (Tullogher), Amy Cody (Glenmore, 0-5, 0-4f), Emily Kinsella (Horeswood); Laura Doherty (Glenmore, 0-4, 0-1f), Niamh English (Cloughbawn), Eve Prendergast (Tullogher). 

Subs used: Ciara Walsh (Tullogher) for Kinsella (54).

Referee: John O’Leary (Cork)