Brave Coláiste Muire fall at final hurdle in All-Ireland bid

A determined Colaiste Muire couldn’t undo the damage of three first-half goals in the All-Ireland Senior B decider, writes Ivan Smyth

Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew 4-8
Coláiste Muire Ennis 1-9

Three first half goals paved the way for Wicklow’s Coláiste Bhríde to be crowned All Ireland Senior B Camogie champions as they overcame a determined Coláiste Muire outfit.

After losing their All Ireland Junior A final in 2019, it is further heartbreak for Coláiste Muire although they can be proud of the grit and determination they showed on Friday evening.

In a strange opening half, where Coláiste Muire enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and territory, it was the Wicklow side’s ruthlessness in front of goal that proved the difference.

Coláiste Bhríde captain Emma Tomkins struck for two opening half goals while her fellow corner forward Sadhbh Buttle looked a livewire up front.

Their full forward, Wexford minor Sarah Doyle, was crowned Player of the Match as despite often being utilised as the lone player inside the opponent’s ’45, she was adept at holding up possession and bringing her teammates in to play.

The Ennis team were not fazed by the occasion as two early scores from Emma Considine gave them a 0-2 to 0-1 lead after Buttle opened the scoring.

It was Doyle who inflicted the first blow upon Coláiste Muire. The energetic Laci Jane Shannon and Tomkins combined to feed Doyle, as the full forward’s fierce drive rattled the net.

Despite a Considine free, Doyle responded with one of her own before almost finding the net again with her 25m goalbound strike excellently blocked by ‘keeper Grace McMahon. Ciara Wafer gathered the rebound and fired over for the Wicklow school.

Coláiste Bhríde pushed their lead out to six when Doyle’s pass was missed by Shannon but captain Tomkins was on hand to gather possession and fire instinctively to the net.

The side exchanged scores before Tomkins gathered possession 40m out from goal and surged through the Coláiste Muire defence before rattling the net. This gave Coláiste Bhríde a 3-4 to 0-4 half time lead.

Coláiste Muire produced a second half display filled with character as they made the Wicklow school fight hard for their win. Team captain Tierna Hegarty was moved from centre back to full forward while Mary Hanrahan dropped out to the half forward line.

Emily Costelloe dropped to midfield while Órna Moynihan picked up Coláiste Bhríde centre forward Ciara Wafer.

After the sides swapped scores Coláiste Muire gave themselves a lifeline. A brilliant Considine pass found Hegarty with her first time pull saved before she proceeded to kick the sliotar to the net. Two more Considine scores, a free and a ’45, led the Ennis school to trail by just four, 1-7 to 3-5.

After Doyle and Hegarty exchanged efforts, Coláiste Bhríde struck a decisive fourth goal after Ciara Wafer drove through the heart of the Coláiste Muire defence before rifling home.

Despite a Hegarty point, the fourth major proved the game clincher as despite laying siege to the Coláiste Bhríde goal in the dying stages, the Ennis school fell short.

Tierna Hegarty showed her battling qualities as despite picking up a shoulder injury inside the opening five minutes, she struck 1-2 in the second half after moving to full forward.

Emma Considine fired over six points while Mary Hanrahan toiled diligently up front. Grace McMahon produced some outstanding saves in goal while Cliodhna Queally looked assured at wingback. Despite defeat, this memorable run has shown that the Coláiste Muire contingent are capable of reaching greater heights in the near future.

Coláiste Bhríde: Kate Butler, Hannah Redmond, Anna Tomkins, Aoife Kinsella, Máire Deegan, Karen Tomkins, Eimer Mutton, Laci Jane Shannon, Roisin Byrne, Shauna O’Shea, Ciara Wafer, Saoirse Kenny, Emma Tomkins (Captain), Sarah Doyle, Sadhbh Buttle. Subs: Eimear Byrne for Kenny (37), Melissa Doran for Redmond (60+3), Alanna Dagg for Wafer (60+5).
Scorers: Sarah Doyle (1-5, 3f, 1 ’45), Emma Tomkins (2-0), Ciara Wafer (1-1), Sadhbh Buttle and Laci Jane Shannon (0-1 each).
Coláiste Muire: Grace McMahon (Newmarket On Fergus), Sinéad Hastings (Ruan), Hannah Doyle (St. Joseph’s Doora-Barefield), Lauren Cahill (Kilmaley), Cliodhna Queally (Inagh-Kilnamona), Tierna Hegarty (Inagh-Kilnamona) (Captain), Karlene McGerr (Inagh-Kilnamona), Ellen Casey (Newmarket On Fergus), Órna Moynihan (Clooney-Quin), Aisling Moloney (Ruan), Emily Costelloe (Clooney-Quin), Muireann Daffy (Inagh-Kilnamona), Emma Quinn (Clooney-Quin), Mary Hanrahan (Crusheen), Emma Considine (Clooney-Quin). Subs: Elisha Rynne (Inagh-Kilnamona), for Quinn (39), Evie Scanlon (Clarecastle) for Daffy (43), Caoimhe Ryan (Banner) for Hastings (54), Leanne Healy (Kilmaley) for McGerr (55), Kate Forde (Ruan) for Moloney (60).
Scorers: Emma Considine (0-6, 3f, 2 ’45), Tierna Hegarty (1-2), Emily Costelloe (0-1).
Referee: Brian Kearney.