St Aloysius, Carrigtwohill beat Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG in cracking camogie decider

St Aloysius 3-3 

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG 2-5

A late surge from St Aloysius captured the Cork Colleges Intermediate A Camogie title at the expense of Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG, An Mhainistir Thuaidh at Castle Road recently.

When Lily Ní Chearúlláin, who was outstanding throughout for the northside girls, struck a levelling point at the end of the 60 minutes, it seemed as though extra time was on the cards. 

However, the Carrigtwohill school had other ideas, as points in injury time from Chloe Corby and two from inspirational centre-back Ciara O'Brien sent the cup to East Cork after an enthralling contest between two evenly matched sides.

Ellie Nic Eafarcaigh had an early free for the AG. This was followed by a goal from St Als full-forward Annie Kelleher after a fine catch from a long delivery. Nic Eafarcaigh converted another free before adding one from play to level the game at the end of the first quarter.

After a scramble in the St Als goalmouth, Sorcha Ní Shíocháin kicked a goal to the net for the AG. A free by O'Brien and one off the stick of Sophie Duggan that kept St Als in touch. 

Sophie Ní Shúilleabháin then responded with a point for the AG. However, just before the break, Orlaith Corby rifled to the AG net to send St Als in leading 2-2 to 1-4.

The second half ebbed and flowed. Nic Eafarcaigh nailed another free for the AG, while O'Brien kept St Als ticking with a vital free from distance. 

A long delivery from Ní Shúilleabháin then evaded the St Als defence to nestle in the net. Kelleher responded to this with another blistering shot at the other end, 3-3 to 2-5 in favour of St Als. 

Ciara Hynes made a splendid save to deny Ní Shíocháin from close range when the AG forward's shot was heading into the top corner. This set up the exciting finish. 

Heartbreak in the end for the battling AG girls and ecstasy for the victorious St Als. A fine display of camogie from two clearly committed schools.

Scorers for St Als: A Kelleher 2-0, C O'Brien 0-4 (0-3 f), O Corby 1-0, S Duggan, C Corby 0-1 each.

GC Mhuire AG: S Ní Shúilleabháin 1-1, E Nic Eafarcaigh 0-4 (0-3 f), S Ní Shíocháin 1-0, L Ní Chearúlláin 0-1.

ST AL'S: C Hynes (Midleton); A Keane (Dungourney), E Barry (c) (Killeagh), R Murphy (Castlemartyr); C Hartnett (Erin's Own), C O'Brien (Castlemartyr), HM Smiddy (Fr O'Neills); E Daly (Dungourney), Á Collins (Dungourney); S Duggan (Sarsfields), O Corby (Dungourney), C Corby (Dungourney); S McConville (Midleton), A Kelleher (Dungourney), M Murphy (Fr O'Neills).

Subs: E Barry (Carrigtwohill), C Barry (Carrigtwohill), M Holland (Fr O'Neills) and M Irwin (Sarsfields).

GC MHUIRE AG: A Ní Cheallaigh (St Vincent's); A Ní Chéilleachair (Blarney), S Ní Cheallacháin (Na Piarsaigh), C Ní Éadromáin (Blarney); C Ní Aodha (Na Piarsaigh), A Nic Cárthaigh (Blarney), J Ní Bhriain Gabriel (Blarney); M Ní Mhathúna (St Vincent's), A Ní Bhuachalla (c, Glen Rovers); G Ní Éafaigh (Na Piarsaigh), L Ní Chearúlláin (St Vincent's), S Ní Shúilleabháin (Glen Rovers); K Ní Éadromáin (Blarney), S Ní Shíocháin (Na Piarsaigh), E Nic Eafarcaigh (St Vincent's).

Subs: L Mylod (Glen Rovers) and L Ní Loingsigh (Na Piarsaigh).

Referee: Andrew Larkin.