Pres Athenry girls finish in blaze of glory to carry day

St. Raphael’s College 1-9

PRESENATATION College, Athenry’s late 1-1 helped them thwart a gutsy St. Raphael’s side who came close to ending their long wait for Connacht Senior A camogie glory at Duggan Park on Saturday.

Doireann Murphy and Mike Finn’s side trailed 1-9 to 1-7 after 57 minutes but Molly Noone’s goal, which came after a pinpoint Kerri O’Driscoll cutback, was quickly followed by an O’Driscoll score to push her side two up. St. Raphael’s’ one shot at glory came 30 seconds into injury time when Leah Behan broke inside from the left flank and unleashed a low drive but the St. Raphael’s captain was thwarted by Ciara Doyle in the Pres goal.

The win ensures Pres Athenry complete a unique double. The Athenry nursery claimed the Connacht Junior A final before Christmas, also against St. Raphael’s, in what has been a trophy laden period for the area. Last Saturday’s victory was sweet as after seeing their title defence ended at the semi final stage last season, Pres Athenry struck back to inflict a second successive Connacht Senior A final defeat on St. Raphael’s.

Pres Athenry started with five of the team that were part of Athenry’s famous All Ireland senior club title victory over St. Finbarr’s – Tarron Kilkenny, Sinead Feeney, Eva McGlynn, Clodagh Burke and Kerri O’Driscoll. To have the ability to introduce Anna Jordan, who also came off the bench in that seismic triumph, was a further indication of the talent and depth within their ranks.

Sinead Feeney was tremendous at centre back while O’Driscoll, Burke, Noone and Ciara Doyle shone also. On the opposite side of the coin, Leah Behan led from the front for St Raphael’s with Aoife Connaughton impressive at centre back. Katie Murray, Lauren Morgan and Erin Headd also left no stone unturned.

For the Loughrea school, this was their second Connacht A final defeat on the spin. Behan’s goal in the 45th minute moved her side 1-9 to 1-7 ahead but they were unable to register a score thereafter as Pres Athenry’s greater experience shone through. The winners registered four wides in the final quarter but found the scores when the need was greatest to prevail.

Pres Athenry joint manager Doireann Murphy was proud of how her side’s defence stood strong down the stretch: “It is down to the work rate of all the girls. They put in such a shift and they are now absolutely wrecked. They have had a tough few weeks, the Athenry girls especially with their club commitments so hopefully we get a bit of time off, and prepare for an All-Ireland semi final.”

This was expected to be a tight affair and so it proved. Pres Athenry found scores that bit easier to come by in the early stages as Eva McGlynn (two), Molly Noone and Clodagh Burke moved the victors 0-4 to 0-3 ahead after the first quarter.

Pictured: Eva McGlynn of Presentation College, Athenry is challenged by St Raphael's College's Ailbhe Kelly and Amy Morgan during Saturday's Connacht Colleges Senior A Camogie Final at Duiggan Park. Photo: Joe Keane.