DUBLIN CAMOGIE CHAMP FINALS
Loreto Balbriggan make up for last year’s loss with ‘B’ success
Daire Walsh
LORETO Balbriggan and St Mary’s HFC Glasnevin has reason to be cheerful at Clanna Gael Fontenoy last Friday, as they secured the ‘B’ & ‘C’ Championship titles at the Dublin Schools Camogie Junior Finals Day in the Ringsend venue.
Loreto faced St Colmcille’s of Knocklyon in the second-tier decider and opened up an early gap with points from Hazel Austin, Grainne Skelton and Megan Carroll. Colmcille’s remained in contention, but with Carroll in excellent form, Loreto were the dominant side in the opening period.
Indeed, thanks in no small part to a Sorcha Murphy goal, they led 1-6 to 1-1 at half-time. The Balbriggan outfit were defeated by Colaiste Cois Life in last year’s Junior ‘C’ showpiece and needed to be wary of a potential Colmcille’s backlash when the action resumed.
Indeed, the southside school – Senior ‘B’ finalists back in 2015 – certainly returned to the field as a rejuvenated force. Loreto goalkeeper Maeve Bogan pulled off a number of fine saves to keep their attack at bay, while Aoife Brady and Sara Hegarty also produced some heroics in defence.
Colmcille’s reduced their deficit to three points (1-7 to 1-4) in the closing stages of the contest, but it wasn’t enough to deny Loreto a hard-earned victory.
The day’s action had begun with a morning clash between Gaelcholáiste Reachrann and Mary’s – who had secured the Senior ‘C’ crown at the same venue seven days earlier. Sean Moore Park is proving to be a happy hunting ground for the Old Finglas Road girls, as they overcame the challenge of Reachrann to seal a third-tier double.