02 February 2009 Pat the Baker LEINSTER SENIOR 'A' FINAL 2009 Share this Article 0 0 0 Shares! 0 Shares! Cumann Peil Gael na mBan ‘Pat the Baker’ LEINSTER SENIOR ‘A’ FINAL 2009 St Leo’s S.S (Carlow) 1-17 St. Mary’s S.S Edenderry (Offaly) 0-3 St Leo’s Secondary school from Carlow were crowned ‘Pat the Baker’ senior ‘A’ Leinster schools champions for the fourth year in succession, when they turned the tables on St. Mary’s secondary school from Edenderry in a wet and windy Timahoe on Friday last. St Leo’s went in to this game as underdogs after they suffered defeat to St Mary’s in an earlier round, however this time, it was the St Leos side that turned on the style when it mattered most, and came away with the Pat the Baker Trophy and the Leinster senior ‘A’ schools title. St Leo’s mentors, Angela Kirwan, Mary Nolan and Mick Moore could not fault their sides performance, they all knew what had to be done, and they did not disappoint with each and every one of them giving one hundred and ten percent on the day. For St. Mary’s, it’s a day they will want to forget, in fairness to them, they competed from start to finish, but nothing went their way, although, with only ten minutes to go before the break, only two points separated the sides. But unfortunately for St. Mary’s, St Leo’s did not allow them to get any closer for the remainder of the game. While conditions were far from ideal for a game of football, both teams deserve great credit for the massive effort they put in on the day. From the moment referee Tony Lennon pressed the start button, St Leo’s were on the attack and were three points up after four minutes, Deirdre O’Sullivan with the first, followed by a brace of frees from Sinead Doogue, Doogue was St.Leo’s top scorer with a personal tally of seven points, to their credit St. Leo’s had a total of eight players on the score sheet. St. Mary’s response came from the boot of Miriam Murphy, the Balyna club player tagged on two points in the first quarter, with her third coming in the eighteenth minute to close the gap to just two points (0-5 to 0-3). However for St. Leo’s it was a little too close for comfort and they pushed on to extended their lead, with vice captain Naomi Nolan adding a point and a goal, Nolan led by example and had a brilliant game in the number thirteen shirt, Sinead Doogue tagged on two more points, to leave the score board reading 1-8 to 0-3 at the break. St, Leo’s led by captain Aisling Kinsella never took their foot off the gas through out the second half, Kinsella wearing the number six shirt marshalled the St. Leo’s back line of Grace Millar, Paula Murphy, Jane Moore, Andrea Burke, and Rhona Julian, to ensure that their keeper Tanala Kehoe was not over worked. Operating in the St Leo’s engine room was Dani Callanan and Deirdre Doyle, and at times they gave the impression that they had been cloned, as they seemed to be in two places at the one time, Doyle notched up two points while Callanan also raised the white flag for her side, and it was no surprise that Dani Callanan collected the player of the final award, Callanan hails from Coolkenno (Co. Wicklow) and was delighted to accept the award from Leinster President Sean McMullin. The St Leo’s forward line of Katie Dempsey, Sinead Ruth, Aisling Wall, Sinead Doogue,Deirdre O’Sullivan, Emer Delaney and Naomi Nolan, never gave the St Mary’s back line a break as they continued to pick off scores right up to the final whistle. While St. Leo’s celebrated in the mud and rain, for St. Mary’s, the mud was not quiet as inviting, the weather on the day would have been a fair reflection on their mood at the end of the game, and that could be summed up in a single word, ” Miserable”. However based on their past performances this experience was just a one off, and there is no doubt that St. Mary’s will be back in the hunt for the ‘Pat the Baker’ Leinster ‘A’ title next season. St. Leo’s will now start preparing for their game in the all Ireland semi-final. Before making the presentation, Leinster President Sean McMullin thanked Timahoe GAA club for the use of their excellent facilities, he also thanked all those involved on the day, in particular Leinster administrator Margaret Brennan and Referee Tony Lennon and his officials. Sean, congratulated both sides for a very sporting game, before presenting Aisling Kinsella and Naomi Nolan with the ‘Pat the Baker’ senior Leinster ‘A’ schools trophy, Aisling Kinsella thanked St. Mary’s for a tough game, and went on to praise St Leo’s teachers, mentor and the squad for putting in such a great effort. Last but not least, Dani Callanan (St Leo’s) stepped up to collect the player of the match award from Sean McMullin. St. Leo’s (Carlow): Tanala Kehoe (O’Hanrahans), Grace Millar (Kileen), Paula Murphy(Bennykerry/Tinryland), Jane Moore ( Ballylinan), Andrea Burke (Kileen), Aisling Kinsella (Bennykerry/Tinryland), Rhona Julian (Ballylinan), Dani Callanan (Coolkenno 0-1), Deirdre Doyle (Bennykerry/Tinryland 0-2), Katie Dempsey (Ballylinan 0-1), Sinead Ruth (Eire Og 0-1 ), Aisling Wall (Kileen), Katie Dempsey ( Ballylinan 0-1), Naomi Nolan (Grange 1-1), Sinead Doogue (Crettyard 0-7 (3f), Deirdre O’Sullivan (Bennykerry/Tinryland 0-1), Emer Delaney (Crettyard 0-2). St Mary’s (Edenderry): Aoife O’Neill (Edenderry), Clare Hurley (Balyna), Aoine O’Donohue (Balyna), Rhona Bergin ( Balyna), Catherine O’Malley (Carbury), Martina darby ( Rhode), Emma Dalton (Capt. Rhode). Jane Fitzpatrick (Edenderry), Niamh Farrell (Kinnegad), Ailson Kenny (Bayna), Riona Byrne (Edenderry), Kyn Furey (Edenderry), Miriam Murphy (Balyna 0-3), Erica Burke (Balyna). Subs: Shauna O’Donohue (Balyna) for Niamh Byrne, Jenny Mulligan (Balyna) for Martina darby, Careen Farrell (Balyna) for Alison Kenny. Referee: Tony Lennon (Dublin) Share this Article 0 0