COLAISTE IOSAGAIN…………………………………………. 7-9
ST JOSEPH’S, LUCAN…………………………………………. 2-0
By Daire Walsh
FINE displays from Eleanor Ni Eachtheirn, Hannah Ni Dhea and twin sisters Louise and Grace Ni She, were of immense importance at O’Toole Park on Monday, as Colaiste Iosagain secured the Dublin Colleges Junior ‘A’ Camogie title with 24 points to spare over St Joseph’s College of Lucan.
This victory capped an unforgettable few days for the gaelscoil (who are the sister school of Colaiste Eoin), as their ladies’ football side – who are guided by trainer Sinead Uí Dhonnabháin – secured the Leinster ‘A’ Football Championship last Friday following an extraordinary 6-15 to 6-5 triumph over St Leo’s College of Carlow in Blessington.
The opening half of their camogie decider in the Crumlin venue was a tricky one for the Booterstown school, however, as they had to work their way around an extremely strong wind.
Joseph’s applied plenty of pressure at various points during the first 30 minutes of play, but Iosagain were more than willing to meet the demands of the challenge at hand.
Once they were in a decent position, it was always felt that Iosagain were capable of pulling away from their rivals in the second half, and with Ni Eachtheirn and Ni Dhea, as well as Niamh Ni Ghallachoir, finding the target during crucial moments in the contest, they were able to record back-to-back triumphs at this level with relative comfort.
Coupled with the ladies football success, the achievements of the school have been particularly noteworthy in recent times, and with well-established clubs like Cuala, Kilmacud Crokes, Ballinteer St John’s and Naomh Olaf providing many of the players that appeared for both teams (indeed, a number of girls appeared in the two finals), it is expected that this will continue in the years to come.