Castlecomer Community School Queens of Leinster

Leinster Minor Camogie (B) Final.
 Castlecomer Community School 4-7           Banagher Community School 2-6. 

By Maurice Shorthall. 

Castlecomer Community School Minor Camogie team travelled to Birr on Friday for the Leinster Final where they always had the edge over Banagher C.S. in a pulsating encounter filled with some terrific passages of play from two well prepared teams. This fine win for the Comer girls means they have earned the right to play in Premier Provincial Camogie (A) and great credit must go to the Management duo of Fiona Morrissey and Gavin Nolan ably assisted by special advisor the evergreen Ted Browne. Sport is on the up at Castlecomer High very few schools can boast All Ireland and Leinster Crowns in hurling and camogie in a five day turnaround. The Comer team made light work of facing Banagher in their own back yard and within a couple of minutes the energetic Grace Mulhall signaled her intent with a fine opportunist goal when she was perfectly positioned to convert a rebound, and soon after got in for a sweet point. Making light of playing against the strong wind the winners doubled the lead thanks to a well taken point from Laura McDowell on the run and Banagher were reeling when Ciara Farrell won possession overhead before turning on a six pence to rifle home goal number two. As the first quarter ended Banagher opened their account from a free. The respite lasted all of three minutes with Hannah Doyle at the heart of several attacks and it was no surprise when a third goal arrived. A magical one two featuring Laura McDowell and Ciara Farrell saw the latter on target with an accurate daisy cutter. Ahead 3-2 to 0-1 the winners seemed to take their foot of the pedal as the Offaly girls hit three points to a lone free from the accurate Grace Mulhall to leave the half time score 3-3 (CCS) to 0-4 (BCS). This Comer advantage was made possible by a will of the wisp performance form the hard working Shannon Feehan at midfield and sterling shows from team captain Shannon “Skipper” Conroy and human dynamo centre back Maeve Walsh. The second half started with more of the same with three unanswered Comer points from Grace Mulhall (2) and Shannon Feehan. Then out of nothing the game turned albeit momentarily when despite the gallant efforts of Robyn Creedon Banagher got in for a goal quickly followed by a pair of points to cut the lead to six points 3-6 (CCS) to 1-6 (BCS). For the first time in the game the pressure was on the winners but when the going got tough few shone brighter than wing backs Katie Holohan and Niamh Moore who blocked and harried as if their lives depended on it. A converted free from Grace Mulhall steadied the good ship Comer before the leading scorer was forced to retire with an injury with sub Chloe Allen taking her place. At this stage Banagher were playing their best camogie and the winners were glad that Ava O’Shea, Amanda Molloy and Carlise Comerford nullified numerous dangerous situations with their unselfish team play. It was no surprise when Banagher breeched the winners defence for a second time to cut the deficit to four points. This excellent Comer side don’t do panic and corner backs Coleen Booth and Kate Cullen typified this spirit with their all action displays. And the moral of every good victory is to save the best wine till last and this they did with the best score and match clinching goal from the impressive Laura McDowell. Final Score Castlecomer C.S. 4-7 ; Banagher C.S. 2-6.
 Team ; Robyn Creedon, Coleen Booth, Sharon Conroy, Kate Cullen, Katie Holohan, Maeve Walsh, Niamh Moore, Shannon Feehan (0-1), Carlise Comerford , Laura McDowell (1-1), Amanda Molloy, Ava O’Shea , Grace Mulhall (1-5), Hannah Doyle, Ciara Farrell (2-0). Subs ; Chloe Allen for Grace Mulhall (Injured), Nicole Dowling, Aisling Delaney, Megan Brennan, Sarah O’Neill, Lydia O’Mahoney, Yvonne Dooley, Nicole Brennan, Shauna Kerr, Sarah Smyth, Sinead Morrissey, Kate Ring (injured), Sinead Healy.