Historic win for Castleblaney in Lidl senior schools All-Ireland A final

Lidl All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Senior A Final

Our Lady’s Secondary School, Castleblaney 1-8

Sacred Heart School, Westport 1-5

By DENIESE O’FLAHERTY

Our Lady’s Secondary School, Castleblaney claimed the Lidl All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Senior A title for the first time with a three point win over Sacred Heart School, Westport in Banagher.

Trailing by seven points entering the final minutes Sacred Heart kicked 1-2 to set up a tight finish, but the Monaghan school held on for victory.

Our Lady’s made a fine start to the game and held a three point lead after seven minutes with points from Caoimhe Kelly, Emma Hughes and Niamh Flanagan.

Sacred Heart opened their account in the 10th minute when Larissa Kelly pointed. Minutes later they created a goal opportunity but Christina MacEvilly’s shot went wide.

Despite enjoying possession Sacred Heart kicked a number of poor wides which they were to rue. The after 17 minutes Our Lady’s set up an attack and a shot from Katie McAdam that appeared to be going over the bar ended up in the back of the net.

Sacred Heart got a much needed point when Hannah Sheehy landed a free in the 18th minute. Laura Grimes pointed for Our Lady’s to restore their five point advantage.

Both sides had chances towards the end of the half but neither defence could be breached as the Monaghan side held a 1-4 to 0-2 advantage going in at the break.

Sheehy kicked over a free in the 34th minute to open the scoring in the second half. Our Lady’s then squandered a number of scoring chances. They eventually got their first score of the half in the 42nd minute when Kelly pointed a free.

The gap was six points three minutes later when McAdam hit over a neat score. Try as they might, Sacred Heart couldn’t beat Our Lady’s rearguard. Their defence stood firm and were resolute despite being put under pressure numerous times.

Our Lady’s were able to get scores and extended the lead to seven in the 52nd minute when Kelly hit her third point from her second free.

After 24 minutes without a score, corner-back Éabha Carney kicked an excellent point for Sacred Heart. The Mayo school’s substitutes made a difference with Amy Carney scoring a goal in the 58th minute. The lead was just two points in the 60th minute when Chloe Chambers got a fine point.

The comeback fell short as Kelly sealed the win with another free in stoppage time as the Monaghan school celebrated an historic success.

Scorers – Our Lady’s: C Kelly 0-4 (3fs), K McAdam 1-1, E Hughes 0-1, L Grimes 0-1, N Flanagan 0-1.

Sacred Heart: A Carney 1-0, H Sheehy 0-2 (2fs), L Kelly 0-1, É Carney 0-1, C Chambers 0-1.

OUR LADY’S, CASTLEBLANEY: A Carroll; D Cawley, T Renaghan, A Leer; E Hughes, L Grimes, L Carey; A Gililand, N Flanagan; E Murphy, C Kelly, F Duffy; K McAdam, H Hughes, E Flanagan. Subs: M Treanor for Leer (49), E Devlin for Murphy (53).

SACRED HEART, WESTPORT: M Murray; R Cafferkey, A McDonnell, É Carney; E Hyland, B Hoban, G McDonnell; S Mulroy, A Kelly; H Sheehy, A Meaney, L Kelly; C MacEvilly, S Byrne, L Hastings. Subs: A Palasz for Byrne (ht), C Chambers for Palasz (38), H O’Malley for Cafferkey (55), A Carney for MacEvilly (56), M Tunney for Sheehy (58).

REFEREE: Seamus Mulvihill (Kerry).