COACHFORD CAPTURE COUNTY SENIOR A TITLE

Coachford College 2-12 Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig 0-3

Ref: Cathal Egan

The Mid Cork School defeated reigning champions Coláiste Choilm at a rain swept Coachford pitch Thursday by a comprehensive margin to annex the pennant competition in Cork Colleges camogie. The home side started well, with Dearbhla Ahern and Emma Flanagan dominating the early exchanges at midfield, supplying plenty of ammunition to the lively inside forwards Megan Buckley, Ciara O’ Leary and Aisling O’ Donovan. Early pressure yielded two points from O’ Leary and another from Buckley before Ballincollig keeper Sarah O’ Sullivan made the first of her four outstanding saves. Niamh Byrne was well shackled by Úna Browne and with the experienced Maeve Corkery a commanding figure at full back, it took 15 minutes before the visitors registered their opening point, a free from Byrne. Niamh O’ Leary, Edel Tarrant and in particular Emma Clifford won the Lion’s share of ball and further scores from O’ Leary [1-6] and Buckley [0-1] put some daylight between the teams before half time. Ciara O’ Leary was accuracy personified from placed balls and intelligent clearances by the stylish centre back Orlaith O’ Driscoll meant the forwards were gaining easy possession in promising areas. Coláiste Choilm did forge forward but keeper Katie Ward made a timely interception and her accurate distribution was a feature throughout the game. Byrne added two frees after good work from Rebecca Keane and Jessica Hennigan but Coachford surged on through sisters Megan and Katie McCarthy, Aileen Hennessy and the dangerous Jill Kiely. Megan Buckley scored her third point of the afternoon when ghosting past the centre back and took the prudent option. Shortly after, Joanne Crowley found Ciara O’ Leary who hit a cracking drive to the net to finish the game as a contest. Coachford’s victory was all the more impressive for their apparent strength in depth with many of those introduced were keen to impress for their next outing, the Munster Senior A quarter final against a fancied Laurel Hill side. Coachford have also qualified for the Senior league semi final and await the result of the St. Joseph’s Doon v Gort tie.

Coachford College: Katie Ward, Katie McCarthy, Maeve Corkery [0-1], Aileen Hennessy, Una Browne [C], Orlaith O’ Driscoll, Megan McCarthy, Emma Flanagan, Dearbhla Ahern, Emma Clifford, Edel Tarrant, Niamh O’ Leary, Aisling O’ Donovan, Ciara O’ Leary [2-8], Megan Buckley [0-3]. Subs: Avril Healy, Catherine Dineen, Fiona Cooney, Katie O’ Sullivan, Jill Kiely, Joanne Crowley, Leah Keating, Michelle Browne, Tess Desmond

Coláiste Choilm: Sarah O’ Sullivan, Jennifer Sorenson, Clare Cronin, Aoife O’ Callaghan, Caoimhe O’ Keeffe, Jessica Hennigan, Aoife Nic A’ Bhaird, Rebecca Keane, Niamh Byrne, Abbie Murphy, Judy Murphy, Siobhan O’ Regan, Lauren Cooper, Clodagh Donovan. Subs: Sarah Keating, Sheona Kiely, Megan Hennigan, Megan Murphy, Aoife Dineen, Maria O’ Shea, Shelley O’ Hanlon, Cliona Coughlan, Anne Marie Leahy.