Munster LGFA PPS Junior ‘B’ Final
By Michael Heverin
Cashel Community School 4-2
Coláiste Dun Iascaigh 1-8
A superb team performance saw Cashel Community School win the Munster LGFA Post Primary Schools Junior ‘B’ title for just the second time when they beat Coláiste Dún Iascaigh, Cahir in the all-Tipperary final at Fethard Town Park on Thursday, January 22.
Repeating their success of 2020, the Cashel girls were lethal in attack, scoring twice as many goals as points, and resolute in defence as they withstood a determined challenge from Cahir.
They set out their stall after just thirty seconds, winning possession from the throw-in, and a slick team move saw Abbie Horgan shoot to the net for a dream start.
Goals were to prove crucial for Cashel, with the live-wire attacker Lily Gillespie complementing an overall brilliant display with two great goals, and then with five minutes to go, and Coláiste laying siege to the Cashel goal, Kate Molumby made the game safe when she shot to the net from a goalmouth scramble.
Horgan, Gillespie, Aoife O’Donnell and Caoimhe Lacey were outstanding in attack for Cashel, with quick passing creating the vital openings; Kate Molumby and Holly Finn had huge games at midfield, while team captain Ashling Cully was the rock in a Cashel defence that stood tall when the pressure was on, with big games also from Emma Hall, Kate Burke and Dearbhla Hickey.
Coláiste will be disappointed with their loss but they battled to the end. Even when Cashel’s late goal appeared to decide the outcome, they hit the next two points to reduce the margin to three points and then launched wave after wave of attacks for the equalising goal.
Leading the charge was inspirational captain Ava Gleeson. Despite being restricted by a leg injury picked up following a heavy knock, she cut through the Cashel defence with darting runs to create the openings but the link-up play just wasn’t there for the final opportunity.
However, their attack was a threat throughout, with the brilliant Sinead Nugent hitting 1-2; Lexi Ferris punishing Cashel indiscretions with four points from frees as well as one from play, and Gemma Mai Barrett also looking dangerous. Corner back Isabelle Burke epitomised the performance of the Cahir defence, cutting out Cashel attacks and getting her own forwards moving with clever distribution, while Ava Gleeson’s leadership qualities were crucial at the heart of the defence.
Abbie Horgan’s first minute goal was a tonic start for Cashel Community School, but Coláiste Dún Iascaigh settled well and hit the next two scores, Lexi Ferris pointing a free following a foul on Isabelle Burke, who had made a surging run from defence, and then a superb move involving Ava Gleeson, Meabh Lonergan and Faye Keague was finished with a lovely score from Horgan.
However, Coláiste remained susceptible to quick breaks from the opposition, and Cashel’s liking for the 4G artificial surface was obvious when they broke down the wing and Lily Gillespie shot to the net past Niamh Flanagan for a 2-0 to 0-2 lead.
Again, the Cahir side responded well with Sinead Nugent the central figure – she kicked her side’s third point before shooting to the net in the next move following a flowing move to tie up the scores, 2-0 to 1-3.
Cashel hit back quickly with an Aoife O’Donnell point from an Abbie Horgan assist, but two pointed frees from Lexi Ferris gave Cahir the lead for the first time in the 20th minute, 1-5 to 2-1.
But the Cashel Community School goal machine churned into action again, and following a clever one-two with Caoimhe Lacey, Lily Gillespie kicked her second goal to give Cashel a two-points lead at the break, 3-1 to 1-5.
The first fourteen minutes of the second half were scoreless but not because of any lack of effort on either side. Cahir started the half stronger, tightening up at the back to avoid any further costly Cashel goals, and putting some good moves together to prise open the Cashel defence.
But a feature of the second half was the performance of the Cashel rearguard – they tackled, blocked, harried, made vital turnovers and fielded balls into the danger area as Coláiste battled to win their first title since their provincial and All Ireland success in 2011.
Cashel were also dangerous on the break and Aoife O’Donnell pointed for the first score of the second half in the 44th minute – this came when a shot from substitute Sarah Murphy rebounded off the post and O’Donnell was alert to tap over.
Lexi Ferris from a free had Cahir’s first score of the half six minutes later before they were stung by Cashel’s fourth goal. A free into the area led to a scramble between backs and forwards and Kate Molumby got the final touch for a five-points lead, 4-2 to 1-6.
Cahir’s resilience that was evident throughout the game was still strong in the last five minutes as they reduced the margin to three points, Ferris pointing from play and Gemma Mai Barrett pointing a free.
However, their fightback was cut short by referee Conor McCarthy’s final whistle, and Cashel Community School players, mentors and supporters celebrated wildly as captain Ashling Cully was presented with the cup.
Scorers – Cashel Community School: Lily Gillsepie 2-0; Abbie Horgan, Kate Molumby 1-0 each; Aoife O’Donnell 0-2.
Coláiste Dún Iascaigh: Sinead Nugent 1-2; Lexi Ferris 0-5, 4 frees; Gemma Mai Barrett 0-1 free.
Cashel Community School – Maeve Cummins, Kate Burke, Emma Hally, Siobhan O’Brien, Anna Shelly, Ashling Cully, Dearbhla Hickey, Kate Molumby, Holly Finn, Aoife O’Donnell, Abbie Horgan, Niamh McCarthy, Lily Gillespie, Caoimhe Lacey, Orlaith O’Grady. Subs – Sarah Murphy for Niamh McCarthy, Aoife McLoughlin for Orlaith O’Grady, Aoibheann Lacey for Holly Finn.
Coláiste Dún Iascaigh – Niamh Flanagan, Aoife Mason, Ella Kelleher, Isabelle Burke, Ava Walsh, Ava Gleeson, Rebecca Bateman, Meabh Lonergan, Niamh Nugent, Faye Keague, Sinead Nugent, Gemma Mai Barrett, Ellie O’Gorman, Lexi Ferris, Isobel O’Keeffe. Subs – Chloe Clarke for Isobel O’Keeffe, Lauren O’Dwyer for Ellie O’Gorman, Siobhan O’Sullivan for Ava Walsh.
Referee – Conor McCarthy (Cork)
