Munster Express Online

Loreto Kilkenny 2-5; Blackwater CS, Lismore 1-7

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Loreto Kilkenny and Blackwater Community School, Lismore served up a fascinating hour’s camogie in last Saturday’s nailbiting All-Ireland Colleges Senior A final at Ardfinnan.

The Co Waterford girls, playing into the stiff breeze in the first half, employed Rachel Whelan as a third midfielder to curb the influence of Aisling Dunphy and Niamh Byrne for the first quarter. The half-back line of Jessica Johnson, Sarah Fenton and Shauna Kiernan defended resolutely and full-forward Caitriona McGlone was unfortunate when hitting the side netting after gathering a long clearance from Kiernan.

Loreto opened their account with a point from Lydia Fitzpatrick. Claire Phelan added two frees and another after a sequence of hand passes, a tactic which worked well for the Brendan William’s Kilkenny girls throughout the tussle. Aoife Nolan flicked the sliotar past BCS keeper Tracey Kiely after a high delivery proved problematic. Lismore replied with two frees from Marie Russell and Rachel Whelan scoring from an acute angle before the break.

Ruth Geoghegan began to improve and, with Clara Aarons, Michelle Tobin and Jenny McCarthy gaining vital possession, Loreto faced a spate of attacks and responded with a fortuitous goal, Fitzpatrick converting after a mix-up in the goal area. Orla Hanrick added a point and it looked ominous for BCS, trailing on a scoreline of 2-5 to 0-3.

The Lismore school were unbeaten for the past three years, having annexed the Senior C, Senior B titles back to back by narrow margins, so their supporters were not surprised when they refused to accept defeat.

See The Munster Express newspaper for full match report.