Leinster Schools’ Senior ‘A’ Ladies Football Championship Final: Scoil Chroist Ri, Portlaoise V Colaiste Iosagain – The Evening Herald – January 26 2017

LEINSTER GIRLS’ SEN ‘A’ FINAL: PORTLAOISE 3-6 COL IOSAGAIN 1-7

Booterstown girls battle well but fall short

Daire Walsh

THERE was disappointment at Clane GAA on Tuesday afternoon for Coláiste Íosagáin, who were defeated by Scoil Chroist Ri, Portlaoise in the Post-Primary Schools Leinster Senior ‘A’ Ladies Football Final.

It had been a busy week for the Gaelscoil, who were crowned Dublin Schools’ Senior ‘A’ Camogie champions four days earlier, and they were also hoping to defend the Leinster football title that they won in comprehensive fashion against Eureka Secondary School, Kells 12 months ago.

CROWN

That was their second provincial crown in just three seasons, and despite coming off second best in an All-Ireland final with Scoil Mhuire, Carrick-On-Suir last March, they had secured national honours at the end of a titanic battle with Coláiste Dún Iascaigh of Cahir in 2014.

Michelle Ní Chiardha (who was returning from last year’s team) was on target with two points in the  early stages, and even though the Laois school subsequently developed a two-point advantage, the first goal of the game arrived via the excellent Ní Chiardha on the stroke of 20 minutes.

Indeed, they added to their tally with a brace of points, but thanks largely to a goal of their own from captain Grainne Moran, Chroist Ri had tied the game at 1-5 apiece just in time for the break.

This set-up an intriguing second half of action, but after Emma Lawlor and Alice Dunne both found the back of the Íosagáin net in quick succession, the Booterstown school were left with a mountain to climb.

DESIRE

To their credit, they continued to play with great hunger and desire, but with scores proving to be few and far between, Chroist Ri were keeping a tight rein on their attack.

Íosagáin’s fighting spirit remained intact as the final whistle approached, but they ultimately fell short in their quest to reach the All-Ireland series for a second consecutive year.

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