St Flannan’s crowned champions

St Flannan’s College 2-17
St Louis Grammar School 2-3

HISTORY was made at Ratoath in Meath on Sunday when St Flannan’s College captured a national camogie title for the first time in the school’s history.
The foundations for the win against St Louis Grammer School, Ballymena were laid early on when Flannan’s raced into a 1-6 to 0-0 lead in the opening ten minutes. Full-forward Rebecca Culligan was the goalscorer with points from Nikki Kaiser, Sara O’Keeffe, Orla Devitt and Culligan.
The northern outfit came into contention for a while but St Flannan’s finished the half strongly and another goal from Culligan left them 2-10 to 1-1 in front at the mid point in the game.
The Ulster champions scored 1-2 in the opening minutes of the second half as they threatened a comeback but Flannan’s regained the upperhand and they finished the game with the last six scores.
Midfielders Ashling Darcy and Rachel Mulcaire dominated throughout, while Orla Devitt, Rebecca Culligan, Sarah O’Keeffe, Nikki Kaiser, Louise De Loughrey, Clare McMahon, Alana O’Brien and Christina Glynn all contributed to an historic day for the Ennis college.
Amid great scenes of delight, Ashling Darcy accepted the cup. “It was a great occasion for the college and it’s wonderful for the game of camogie in the school and in Clare,” commented team mentor Damian Noonan this week. Noonan and Laura Linnane trained the victorious team.

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), Alana O’Brien (Clooney-Quin); Rachel Mulcaire (Clarecastle), Aisling Darcy (Kilmaley, captain); Orla Devitt (Éire Óg), Sarah O’Keeffe (Doora-Barefield), Kate O’Neill (Newmarket ); Sinéad O’Keeffe (Kilmaley), Rebecca Culligan (Doora-Barefield), Nikki Kaiser (Newmarket).
Scorers: Rebecca Culligan (2-2), Ashling Darcy (0-6), Nikki Kaiser (0-5), Sinéad O’Keeffe and Orla Devitt (0-2) each.