Historic Win for Our Lady's Senior Camogie Team
History was made last weekend when the U19 Camogs from Our Lady’s Grammar School in Newry lifted their first ever Ulster Colleges' Camogie title. Camogie was introduced to the school seven years ago by former Keady player Mrs Rosie Smith and over that period the school has won seven county titles. A large crowd of staff, pupils and parents made their way for the encounter against a hugely talented' St MacNissi's College from Garron Tower.
Our Lady's posted a brilliant team performance with each player giving everything in a pulsating battle and the Newry girls surged to the winning post by firing home two goals and a point in injury time to run out comprehensive winners
Though a few really excelled and gave displays of enormous proportions. Karen Tinnelly a popular member of the Ballyholland club was dynamic in midfield and her attacking runs had the College side panicking every time she got the ball. She was rewarded with a goal and three points. Equally important to the Chequer Hill side was the powerful Sarah Louise Carr as she continually charged at the MacNissi's defence scoring two super goals and two points.
Captain Fionnuala Bradley was solid at full back assisted by the Clonduff duo of Sarah Farnon and substitute Megan O'Reilly.
On a poor surface this match took quite a while to get going and Our Lady’s having missed a score in the first few minutes, found it difficult to settle into any pattern of play.
St MacNissi's were first on the score sheet when on seven minutes Teresa McNaughton's long ball found its way past the Newry keeper, Eimear Mooney to finish high in the net. This was followed by a Diane McDonald free on 25 minutes putting the Antrim side four points to the good. Our Lady’s never gave up the fight and had lots of possession but couldn’t find the target. It wasn’t until three minutes before half that Karen Tinnelly knocked a free over the bar. The second half was just two minutes old when Sarah Louise Carr bustled her way through to score a cracking goal.
The Antrim side however restored their lead when Siobhan McAlister fired over the bar at the other end. That, was to be St MacNissis' last score of the match with Our Lady's taking almost complete control. On 40 minutes Tinnelly exploded down the right to equalize with a stunning drive. And three minutes later the dangerous Carr put the Newry team in front for the first time in the match.
With two minutes of normal time a single point was the difference in the teams
Tinnelly pointed from a free followed by a goal from five yards out, after but the opposing keeper Seana Cosgrove made a super block. In injury time Sarah Louise Carr pointed and then showed amazing determination and strength to force the ball into the net when it seemed there was just no way through.
When the referee's whistle went there were great celebrations from the Newry supporters. History had been made for Our Lady’s. It was a great day for all concerned especially the team, coach Aaron Clements and mentors Celine McAteer and Martin Gillespie.
Our Lady’s now travel to Co. Offaly to play Birr Community College on the tenth of Feb in the All Ireland Semi Finals.
Our Lady's: Eimear Mooney, Shanna Leonard, Fionnuala Bradley (capt.), Hannah O'Reilly, Sarah Famon, Leanna Quinn, Marianne Savage, K;uen linnelly, Aoibhan O'Neill, Anita Quinn, Lisa McPolin, Ciara Murphy, Yasmin Mackin, Sara Louise Carr, Fiona O'Neill, Grace Brown, Laura Mackin, Patricia Murphy, Megan O’ O'Reilly, Mary O'Hare, Clare Savage, Leanne Sweeney and Roisin Murchan.
