Our Lady’s Secondary School, Castleblaney claimed the Lidl All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Senior A title for the first time with a three point win over Sacred Heart School, Westport.
The Monaghan side led by seven points entering the final minutes. Sacred Heart kicked 1-2 to set up a tight finish, but Our Lady’s held on for victory. 1-8 to 1-5
Our Lady’s made a fine start to the game. Holding a three point lead after seven minutes with points from Caoimhe Kelly, Emma Hughes and Niamh Flanagan.
Sacred Heart opened their account in the 10th minute through a Larissa Kelly point. Despite enjoying possession Sacred Heart kicked a number of poor wides which they were to rue.
With 17 minutes on the clock, Katie McAdam’s kicked for a point, however the ball dropped into the net.
Sacred Heart got a much needed point through Hannah Sheehy 18th minute free. Laura Grimes restored Our Lady’s five point advantage. The Monaghan side led 1-4 to two points at half-time.
Sheehy sent over a 34th minute free to open the second-half scoring. Our Lady’s eventually got their first score of the half in the 42nd minute through a Kelly free.
The gap was six points three minutes later when McAdam sent over a neat score. The gap was seven on 52 minutes, Kelly converted a second free.
Sacred Heart comeback
After 24 minutes without a score, corner-back Éabha Carney kicked an excellent point for Sacred Heart.
Amy Carney scored a 58th minute goal and with Chloe Chambers 60th minute free the gap was just two points.
However, the comeback fell short as Kelly sealed victory with another free in stoppage time as the Monaghan School celebrated an historic success.
Our Lady’s, Castleblaney: A Carroll; D Cawley, T Renaghan, A Leer (M Treanor 49); E Hughes, L Grimes, L Carey; A Gililand, N Flanagan; E Murphy (E Devlin for Murphy 53), C Kelly, F Duffy; K McAdam, H Hughes, E Flanagan.
Scorers: C Kelly 0-4 (3fs), K McAdam 1-1, E Hughes 0-1, L Grimes 0-1, N Flanagan 0-1.
Sacred Heart, Westport: M Murray; R Cafferkey (H O’Malley 55), A McDonnell, É Carney; E Hyland, B Hoban, G McDonnell; S Mulroy, A Kelly; H Sheehy (M Tunney), A Meaney, L Kelly; C MacEvilly (A Carney 56), S Byrne (A Palasz HT(C Chambers 38)), L Hastings.
Scorers: A Carney 1-0, H Sheehy 0-2 (2fs), L Kelly 0-1, É Carney 0-1, C Chambers 0-1.
Referee: Seamus Mulvihill (Kerry).
