U14 Ulster Champions
St. Colm’s Draperstown, a year that will live long in the sporting history of the school as they have won two Ulster Colleges Camogie titles, the Junior title back in November and last week were crowned U14 Ulster champions against St. Joseph’s Donaghmore.
Played in superb conditions at MUSA in Cookstown, with a slight breeze favouring St. Joseph’s, both teams eagerly contested the ball in the early stages of the opening half, but it was St. Colm’s scoring prowess that was the ultimate difference. St. Colm’s Grace Kelly operating at full forward and one of the youngest on the team opened the scoring with a cleverly executed hand pass goal and again in the 20th minute with a sublime shot past the Donaghmore keeper.
Sinead Mc Guigan, in outstanding form both in her play and in her point scoring, converted 3 points from frees in the first half. St. Colm’s even in the early stages were exerting their control and dominance on the score sheet as Leanne Mc Cullagh set up many of the St. Colm’s scores with Shannon Burns in the full forward line finishing two excellent moves to the back of the St. Joseph’s net.
The Tyrone team were pressing tirelessly in the first half and successfully converted 2 frees from the stick of Caitlin Gallagher and a well taken goal from Donaghmore’s number 7. However, the St. Colm’s defence marshalled by the excellent play of both centre half back Erin Kelly, and full back Rachel Mc Cullagh ensured no more goals were conceded. It was midfielder Anna Mc Daid, a constant thorn in the Donaghmore side who scored a goal in the 12th minute and had the final say of the half with a riffling shot to the Donaghmore net. Half time score St. Colm’s 6 – 3, S. Joseph’s 1 – 2
St. Joseph’s like St. Colm’s had earned their place in this Ulster final and certainly were not going to go down without a fight. The opening minutes of the second half saw St. Joseph’s lift their game and make the St. Colm’s defence work to clear every ball out of danger.
Despite scoring two points and some missed frees, the Donaghmore side could not break down the solid defending by St. Colm’s. Mary Jo Mc Eldowney and Rose Kelly were immense in defence and thwarted many Donaghmore attacks. St. Colm’s keeper, Micheala O Neill was highly impressive and kept a clean sheet in the second half.
Sinead Mc Guigan continued with her accurate free taking to convert a further 3 points in the second half. Sinead flanked by the relentless work rate of Anna Mc Daid and Cara Donnelly ensured as the second half progressed the Donaghmore threat became less and less.
St. Colm’s Ciara Scullion, wing half forward must be given credit for probably the score of the game in the 12th minute of the second half. Winning the ball in her defence, pursued and with continuous pressure she drove at the Donaghmore
defence and finished an impeccable score from at least 30 metres out. This was followed by an expertly taken point from play out on the left wing by Grace Kelly.
St. Colm’s had depth in their panel with Orfhlaith Henry coming into the game in the 17th minute of the second half and played her part in defence. Sinead Mc Guigan added a further goal in the 20th minute but it was sub, Amy Lindsay who came into the full forward line that had the final score of the day with a superb strike on the ground that sealed a St. Colm’s well-earned victory. Final score St. Colm’s 8 – 9 St. Joseph’s 1 – 4
Camogie in St. Colm’s and Ballinascreen is certainly in a very healthy state. It has been an exceptional year in terms of lifting silver wear, winning two Ulster titles together with the Junior team reaching the All Ireland final. At the start of each school year, every school aims to get as far as possible in their respective competitions and for St. Colm’s they landed in bonus territory capturing a Junior and U14 Ulster Colleges title.
St. Colm’s
M O Neill, R Kelly, R Mc Cullagh, M J Mc Eldowney, E Kelly, C Donnelly, S Mc Guigan, A Mc Daid, C Scullion, L Mc Cullagh, S Burns, G Kelly. Subs: A Lindsay for S Burns, O Henry for R Kelly, H Scullion for L Mc Cullagh, R O Neill for G Kelly, S Mc Guigan for C Scullion, E Mc Namee, L Mc Govern, K J Mc Namee, J A Devlin,T Kelly, M Mc Ivor, M Cuskeran, C Donnelly
