Emphatic Munster victory for Flannan’s

ST Flannan’s College Ennis were crowned Munster Junior B Colleges Camogie champions at the Éire Óg grounds on Saturday when they proved too strong for Coláiste Choilm from Ballincollig in Cork.

In ideal conditions, the Ennis school atoned for the disappointment of losing last year’s final and they will now go on to play in the All-Ireland semi-final at the end of February.
A hat-trick of goals from lively corner forward Nikki Kaiser played a big part in the St Flannans’ victory. Indeed, it was the ability of the Damian Noonan and Laura Linnane trained squad to find the net which proved decisive on the day.
Two goals from Newmarket star Kaiser had the winners in control after just seven minutes and while the visitors fought back strongly in the second quarter, a goal from Christine Glynn just before the half time whistle sent St Flannan’s to the break with a five point advantage, 3-2 to 1-3.
Indeed the goal from centre-back Glynn was particularly important as it came after the visitors had scored 1-2 with the Cork college beginning to get a grip on matters.
While the visitors had the first score of the second half, a point, it was the home side that again struck the vital blows and goals from Kaiser and Rebecca Culligan put them into a commanding lead to leave the Cork girls with a huge task.
Kaiser’s third goal came after great work by Kate O’Neill while full-forward Culligan was excellently positioned to shoot to the net after a Kaiser effort was saved three minutes later.
It was 5-2 to 1-4 entering the final quarter and St Flannan’s were, clearly, in a commanding position. The visitors had narrowed the gap to eight points with three minutes remaining but a point from Sally O’Keeffe followed by a Rachel Mulcaire goal killed off any slim hopes the Cork team might have entertained of getting back into contention.
Coláiste Choilm did have the final say when Elaine Scally goaled in injury time but it was too late to prevent St Flannan’s from deservingly capturing the provincial title. Wing-forward Scally and midfielder Niamh McCarthy were the Cork side’s best players in this final.
Goalkeeper Suzie O’Shea, Clodagh Lawlor and Christina Glynn were always strong in the winners’ defence. Aisling Darcy did well at midfield while up front, Nikki Kaiser, Orla Devitt, Rebecca Culligan and Sarah O’Keeffe were prominent.
After the game, Clare camogie official Mary Hogan together with Munster official Eamonn Browne, presented the trophy to the winning captain Aisling Darcy

St Flannan’s: Susie O’Shea (Ballyea); Claire McMahon (Éire Óg), Clodagh Lawlor (Newmarket), Louise De Loughrey (Doora-Barefield); Edel Hehir (Ballyea), Christina Glynn (Kilnamona, 1-0), Alana O’Brien (Clooney-Quin); Rachel Mulcaire (Clarecastle, 1-0), Aisling Darcy (Kilmaley, 0-1, captain); Orla Devitt (Éire Óg), Sarah O’Keeffe (Doora-Barefield, 0-1), Kate O’Neill (Newmarket); Sinéad O’Keeffe (Kilmaley), Rebecca Culligan (Doora-Barefield, 1-0), Nikki Kaiser (Newmarket, 3-1).
Subs: Sinéad Quinn (Kilnamona) for De Loughrey (35 minutes);  Sophie Hanna (Éire Óg) for Hehir (50 minutes).

Referee: Eamonn Browne, Tipperary.