Ursuline take control after the break to win thrilling All-Tipperary Munster decider

Munster Junior A Schools Camogie Final 

Ursuline Thurles 1-7

Presentation Thurles 0-4

A large crowd gathered at the Tipperary County Camogie Grounds for the Munster Junior A Schools Final, a highly anticipated all-Thurles derby between Ursuline Thurles and Presentation Thurles.

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In the build-up, the contest was widely regarded as an impossible game to call, and the opening half did nothing to separate the sides.

Presentation Thurles opened the scoring after three minutes when Neasa Dwan split the posts with a well-struck free. Ursuline responded through Jessie Shanahan, but Dwan added two further frees to restore Presentation’s advantage.

Shortly afterwards, Sarah Jayne Ormond, excellent alongside Mairead Duggan in midfield, went for a goal only to be denied by a superb save from Ursuline goalkeeper Lara Shanahan. Presentation converted the resulting 45m through Neasa Dwan to make it 0-4 to 0-1. 

That would prove to be their final score of the half, as Ursuline finished strongly with two well-taken frees from Mel Flannery to reduce the deficit to 0-4 to 0-3 at half-time.

Presentation looked solid down the middle, with Saoirse Maher in control at full-back, Laoise McCahey and Nicole Tarrant commanding the half-back line, and Neasa Dwan a constant threat at centre-forward.

The second half, however, belonged entirely to Ursuline. The team came out with renewed energy after the break, with Kate Duffy powering into the game at midfield and Jessie Shanahan and Mel Flannery causing real problems in attack.

In the 39th minute, Shanahan made an excellent catch and followed up with a long strike that found the net, giving Ursuline the momentum they needed. 

Flannery then struck two successful frees, and a further effort from Shanahan went over the bar. Cahir’s Mel Flannery finished the scoring to see Ursuline claim a convincing 1-7 to 0-4 victory.

Presentation battled hard right to the final whistle, with Nicole Tarrant and Mairead Duggan driving forward in search of scores. 

However, Ursuline’s Lorna Ryan was brilliant, excelling in her free role and defensive duties, leaving Presentation unable to break through for a second-half score, while Rosie O’Brien played a captain’s role, leading from the number six position.

Ursuline Thurles: Lara Shanahan; Lorna Ryan, Laura Millea, Amy Lee; Claire Fitzgerald, Rosie O’Brien, Rosanna King; Kate Duffy, Emer Purcell; Meadhbh Lonergan, Emma Bevans, Jessie Shanahan (1-2, 0-1f); Mel Flannery (0-5f), Saoirse Deegan, Molly Jones. 

Subs used: Shona Murray for Meadbh Lonergan.

Presentation Thurles: Emma Flynn; Lily Kelly, Saoirse Maher, Maebh Browne; Laoise McCahey, Nicole Tarrant, Eilis Browne; Mairead Duggan, Sarah Jane Ormond; Mae Kennedy, Neasa Dwan (0-4f), Cara Butler; Sarah o’Sullivan, Kayelyn Creedon, Ellie Cahill.

Subs used: Katie Butler for Cara Butler

Referee: Cathal Egan (Cork)

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