DUBLIN JUNIOR CAMOGIE FINALS
Oyr Lady’s secure top honours
Daire Walsh
FIRST-HALF goals from Isabelle Costelloe and Kerrie Finnegan paved the way in Clanna Gael Fontenoy last Friday afternoon, as Our Lady’s School, Terenure secured the Dublin Schools’ Junior Camogie ‘A’ Championship title with a 2-6 to 1-0 victory against Loreto Beaufort, Rathfarnham.
This was an ideal way for Our Lady’s to bounce back from their narrow defeat to St Joseph’s College, Lucan in the Senior ‘A’ final a week earlier, and with several players involved in both squads, it will be one to cherish at the end of the season.
A brace of points from Saoirse Malin had offered the Terenure girls an early platform, and following a 1-1 salvo from captain Costelloe, a 20th-minute goal from Kerrie Finnegan meant that Our Lady’s brought a 2-3 to 0-0 lead into the second period.
Beaufort skipper Cora Ryan, as well as the attacking duo of Ciara Murphy and Olivia Meagher, displayed strong leadership in the opening half, but they had to wait until the resumption before opening their account.
Belen Swords was on hand to secure a three-pointer on 40 minutes, but even though they played with great spirit, further points from Holly Finnegan and Costelloe (two) guided Our Lady’s towards a maiden success at this grade – and an All-Ireland Division B semi-final on February 20.
It was also a memorable day in the Ringsend venue for St Mary’s, Naas, who secured the Dublin Junior ‘C’ Camogie crown with a majestic 9-4 to 3-2 success over Scoil Dara, Kilcock. Team captain Maria Doyle led by example throughout the course of the action. Meanwhile, Portmarnock CS also claimed silverware, as they defeated Dominican College in the Junior ‘A’ Shield decider.