St.Mary's complete the double!

1999 All Ireland Senior Champions

Back row: Eileen O'Brien, Kathryn Leslie, Noelle O'Riordan, Sarah Reidy, Caragh Manton, Caroline Giltenane
Front Row: Jordana Dolan, Alison White, Niamh Bowles, Caoimhe Harrington (Captain), Aoife Sheehan

A superb display by Eileen O'Brien helped St. Mary's Charleville to a comprehensive win over Colaiste Bride, Enniscorthy in the All-Ireland Senior A camogie Championship final at McDonagh Park, Nenagh, on Saturday, to give the Cork side their fourth title in a row

Early in the day, the Charleville side made their intentions known after Sr. Margaret had paraded the length of the field dispensing her bottle of Easter water and seeking God';s blessing for her girls in blue. Sr. Margaret was not alone with her prayers as she was ably assisted by Sr. martina who was kept busy on her rosary beads. It would appear that their prayers were well and truly answered as the Charleville girls, inspired by the brilliant Eileen O'Brien from Granagh raced into an early lead.

O'Brien who earlier this year picked up the National Yough Sportstar Award as well as West Limerick Bord na nOg and Senior GAA awards, was quick off the mark and had an early goal. Subsequently, she added on seven points from play and frees. In bitterly cold, wet and windy conditions which saw the town end goalposts flattened to the ground after just nine minutes of play, Charleville stamped their authority on the game

Celebrations after the All Ireland Senior A Final

Team captain Caoimhe Harrington as well as Niamh Bowles and Sara Reidy all from Newtownshandrum were outstanding at midfield and kept up a steady supply to the forwards where Jordana Dolan, Eileen O'Brien, Alison White, all Limerick players as well as Aine Kelleher were industrious, with Dolan scoring a goal.All during the driving rain and hailstones, St. Mary's never relented and enjoyed an interval lead of 2-8 to 0-3.

Scores were scarce during the second period, but Charleville never appeared to be in trouble. Urged on by their dedicated supporters and words of sideline encouragement from Ann Marie O'Keffee, Vincent Harrinton and Mike O'Brien, St. Mary's never once wilted. Their captain Caoimhe Harrington capped off a great performance when in the closing minutes she weaved her way through the Enniscorthy defence to put the issue wel beyond doubt when she scored a brilliant goal.

Aoife Sheehan when tested on one or two occasions displayed skill and panache between the posts. Kathryn Leslie, Caroline Giltinane and Caragh Manton were most reliable in defence as was Noelle O'Riordan from Milford at full back.

It was a memorable victory for the Charleville girls who while winning the fourth consecutive senior championship title were also completing a long awaited double as St. Mary's are also the holders of the Junior All Ireland title. It was a proud Caoimhe Harrington who went to the podium to receive the All Ireland Colleges trophy.

Victorious captains Caoimhe Harrington (left), Senior A, St. Mary's Charleville and Geraldine Collins, Senior B, Sacred Heart Clonakility.

Scorers:
St. Mary's: E O'Brien 1-7 (0-4 frees), C Harrington 1-1, J Dolan 1-0, A Kelleher 0-2
Colaister Bride: E Holohan 0-4, H Jacob 0-1

St. Mary's Charleville Aoife Sheehan, Noelle O'Riordan, Kathryn Leslie, Caroline Giltinane (Newtown), Caragh Manton (Newtown), Sara Reidy (Newtown), Caoimhe Harrington, Captain (Newtown), Niamh Bowles (Newtown), Jordana Dolan, Eileen O'Brien, Alison White, Aine Kelleher (Newtown).
Subs: Lisa Moloney, Siobhan Lenihan, Gemma Ronayne, Eimear O'Friel, Christina O'Gorman, Keara O'Shea, Marie Watson, Sandra O'Halloran, Claire Browne, Denise O'Connor, Aoife Dillon, Catherine O'Connell, Marie Cullinane.

St.Mary's through to Senior All Ireland Camogie Final

In cold wintry conditions at Newtownshandrum on Saturday last, St. Mary's Senior Camogie side, Charleville had a very easy win over Ulster Champions, St. Patrick's Maghera. From the start the winners dominated and but for a solid Maghera defence the local side would have had a far bigger winning margin. Some excellent sideline cutting skills and expert free taking, along with some good passages of play and some fine saves by the Ulster goalkeeper were the main talking points of what must be described as a one sided semi final. Eileen O'Brien was the winners' top player with a personal tally of 2-9.

Action with Sara Reidy during the All Ireland Senior Semi-Final in Newtownshandrum

After 11 minutes the winners led 1-3 to no score, all coming from Eileen O'Brien. Caoimhe Harrington had two points in quick succession with Eileen O'Brien scoring two late points in this half, one from a free. The North Cork side led 1-7 to 0-0 at the break. The second half saw the Ulster side have the aid of the slight breeze. The trend was very much the same in this half with the Rathluirc girls adding a further 1-7. Eileen O'Brien had 1-4 in the second half with points by Niamh Bowles, Jordana Dolan and Caoimhe Harrington completing the scoring. St. Patricks Maghera had their single score, a point 8 minutes from the end through a Paula McAtamney free.

Action with Aine Kelleher

The St. Mary's Charleville side will now contest the All Ireland Senior Final on Saturday April 17th at a venue to be decided.

Scorers:
St. Mary's: Eileen O'Brien 2-9, Caoimhe Harrington 0-3, Jordana Dolan 0-1, Niamh Bowles 0-1.
St. Patricks: Paula McAtamney 0-1.

St. Mary's Charleville Aoife Sheehan (Granagh/Ballingarry), Cara Manton (Newtown), Catherine Leslie (Granagh), Noelle O'Riordan (Milford), Caroline Giltinane (Newtown), Sarah Reidy (Newtown), Caoimhe Harrington (Newtown), Niamh Bowles (Newtown), Aine Kelleher (Newtown), Lisa Moloney (Ballyagran), Jordana Dolan (Ballyagran), Eileen O'Brien (Granagh)
Subs: Emer O'Friel (Milford) for Lisa Moloney (injured), Gemman Ronan (Ballyagran) for Aine Kelleher.

St. Patricks Maghera: Claire McCorry, Bernie O'Loughlin, Ciara Ward, Aisling Grogan, Aileen McGuckian, Catherine McCullogh, Paula McKenna, Paula McCoy, Monica O'Kane, Ciara Kidd, Shauna McGuigan, Paula McAtamney.
Subs: Aideen McEvoy for Ciara Kidd, Claire Bradley for Shauna McGuigan.

Referee: Celine Doody (Co. Limerick)

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