Tesco Post Primary Schools All-Ireland Junior B Final

Presentation Secondary School Thurles 3-7

St Brigid’s College Callan 1-4

Report by Catherine Shanahan

All roads led to Callan on St Patrick’s Day when John Locke Park, Callan hosted the Tesco All-Ireland Post-Primary Junior B Final between St. Brigid’s College, Callan and Presentation Secondary School, Thurles.

Thurles were first to open the scoring when a solo from Lucy Callanan was converted over the bar. Moments later St Brigid’s Ciara O’Shea was posed over the ball for a 45 which she confidently slotted over the bar for a point. This was soon followed by an Aisling O’Shea goal when she received a high delivery from Ava Brett to put the ball into the back of the Thurles net. Kate Ralph got the ball on the hurl and from long range delivered it towards the Callan goal, however goalkeeper Jenny Saunders was poised and ready for the delivery. With great confidence and composure she caught the ball in her hand and cleared it out of the danger zone. St Brigid’s continued to dominate when Ava Brett went on a 30m solo run sending the ball over for another point. Thurles had a goal chance but the Callan defence battled to clear the ball out. Moments later in a ruck Kate Ralph picked up the ball and sent it over for another point for Thurles. Just before halftime Kate Ralph had the ball again and slotted it over to add another point to her tally. Half time score St. Brigid’s 1-2, Presentation Thurles 0-3.

The second half saw one change for Thurles with Grace Flanagan replacing Anna O’Brien. Thurles dominated the start of the second half and with only seconds on the clock Emer Dwan opened up her scoring with a point. Danielle Butler and Lucy Callanan linked up with some great passing play which put Lucy in the perfect position to add another point to the Thurles scoreline. Thurles continued to dominate when Lucy Callanan scored a great point from 20m out. Thurles had a great chance at goal but Jenny Saunders was again composed in the goal and produced a great save to keep Callan in the game. With 8 mins gone and Thurles in the lead by 3 points Kate Ralph was ready to take a 45m. On the way towards the Callan goal it took a defensive deflection and landed into the back of the net to put Presentation in pole position. Callan finally had a chance to open their 2^nd half scoring when Aisling O’Shea was fouled. Elly Holland stepped up to take the free, sending it over the bar. Ciara O’Shea converted another free for Callan, reducing the deficit to 4 points. However, moments later Caitlin Shelly cleared the ball from the Thurles defence and delivered it to Rachel Ralph who added another point to the Thurles score. Thurles continued to dominate the half with Lucy Callanan converting another point. Moments before full time subsitute Leanna Coppinger had the ball and buried into the back of the net. Full time score at John Locke Park St. Brigid’s College: 1-4, Presentation Thurles: 3-7.

Huge congratulations to Presentation Thurles on a fantastic victory and also to Caitlin Shelly who was awarded player of the game.

Presentation: M O’Dwyer, S Lee, Ú Duggan, K O’Keefe, Caitlin Shelly, S Maher, E Ralph, Ciara Shelly, E Dwan 0-1, D Butler, K Ralph capt. 1-2, 1-0 45, A Reddan, A O’Brien, R Ralph 0-1, L Callanan 1-3.

Subs: G Flanagan for A O’Brien (HT), L Coppinger 1-0 for D Butler (56), E O’Dwyer for A Reddan

St Bridget’s: J Saunders, R Hartley, C Gleeson, S Ryan, A O’Sullivan, J Cuddy, E Hayes, C Power, C O’Shea 0-2 (1f), R O’Meara, A Brett capt 0-1, M Conroy, E Holland 0-1, A O’Shea 1-0, C O’Donovan.