U16 Ulster Champions 2018
St.Colm’s Crowned Ulster Camogie Champions
St Colm’s Draperstown (2 - 6) Gleann na Ró (2 - 2)
St.Colm’s High School Draperstown was triumphant in Ulster Colleges Camogie, claiming their first Junior Medallion Shield since 2009 in wet and windy conditions at Slaughtneil. They came up against a gallant Gleann na Ró team, a combination of St. Mary’s Limavady and Gael Choláiste Dhoire, Dungiven. St. Colm’s strong opening half, together with tremendous work rate was the key to their victory, despite a strong second half display from Gleann na Ró.
St.Colm’s bravely defended a tough breeze in the first half but they were in the driving seat at half time as they built up an interval advantage of 2 – 3 to 0 – 1, with goals from midfielder Aoife Doyle and full forward Sinead Mc Guigan. Gleann na Ró’s main threat lay with their midfield pairing but St.Colm’s had equal quality at midfield with the industrious work rate of both Aoife Doyle and captain Sara Kelly. Despite Gleann na Ró getting their first score on the 18th minute of the first half, St. Colm’s had added a further three points from play, both wing half forwards, Sara Lagan and Cara Donnelly together with a tenacious strike from Sinead Mc Guigan which swiftly sailed over the crossbar. Gleann na Ró found it extremely difficult to get the ball into their inside forwards. St. Colm’s impressive half back line of Rachel Mc Cullagh, Erin Kelly and Cliodhna Hickson, the latter who anchored the defence superbly at centre half back soaked up anything Gleann na Ró put in their path.
Gleann na Ró bounced back during the second half thanks to goals from Cliodhna Ní Mhianáin and Seána Mc Laughlin, despite brave efforts from St. Colm’s keeper Orla O Neill, Gleann na Ró closed the gap to just two points. Gleann na Ró exerted immense pressure with Ni Mhianáin’s presence starting to hurt St. Colm’s. However tenacious defending from St.Colm’s full back trio of Elainor Gray, Shannon Scullion and Niamh Hamill, never allowed Gleann na Ró to get a sniff at goals for the duration of the game.
Even though the elements were favouring St. Colm’s in the second half, Gleann na Ró’s full back, Casey Ferris and Goal keeper, Rhianna Convery were keeping Gleann na Ró’s hopes alive. St. Colm’s hadn’t scored for seventeen minutes in spite of the diligent work from St. Colm’s corner forwards Mary Jo Mc Eldowney and Anna Mc Daid. An excellently taken free by centre half forward Caoimhe Kelly gave St. Colm’s the kick start they needed to get back on scoring track. This was followed by an inspirational effort from wing forward, Sara Lagan, who majestically struck the sliothar from 35 yards out on the left wing to put three points between two very eagerly contested teams. With one minute remaining the outstanding Cliodhna Hickson, steadily slotted over a St. Colm’s free to give a deserving four point lead, the final score of the game.
Teams and scorers
St Colm’s
O O’ Neill, E Gray, S Scullion, N Hamill, R Mc Cullagh, C Hickson (0-1free), E Kelly, A Doyle (1-0), S Kelly capt, C Donnelly (0-1), C Kelly (0-1 free), S Lagan (0-2), A Mc Daid, S Mc Guigan (1-1), MJ Mc Eldowney
Subs
E Connolly for A Mc Daid (51), M O Neill for MJ Mc Eldowney (56), C Mc Guigan, C Scullion, M Mc Laughlin, K L Conway, C Heaney, C Donnelly
Gleann na Ró
R Nic an Ainmhire, C Ní Chearnaigh, C Ferris, C Smith, C Ní Dhiolún, C Ní Mhianáin (1-1), A Ní Mhuirí, C Cassidy capt, C Ní Chaollaí (0-1), L Ní Chonaire, a Ni Lochlainn, S Mc Laughlin (1-0), K Ní Bhrolacháin, R Nic Fallúin, C Mailey
Subs
S Ní Iomhaire for C Mailey (41)
