Ramsgrange Community School mark camogie return with final appearance

While the result didn’t go their way, Ramsgrange Community School’s appearance in the Leinster Schools Intermediate camogie final in Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny was about more than a trophy.

It was seven years since the south county school fielded a camogie team, so to make it all the way to this development decider at the first attempt was an achievement in itself.

In some ways these competitions are harder to win than the graded finals, as there’s always likely to be a team in the mix who are just a bit better than everyone else, and St. Peter’s (Dunboyne) proved it with a strong display.

The Meath side were bigger than their opponents and likely had an advantage in experience, but they also had several outstanding athletes.

St. Peter’s would have held their own in the ‘D’ championship, of that there is little doubt. Ramsgrange have a way to go to reach that, but with teachers Shauna Sinnott, Áine Coughlan and Dearbhaíl Kelly driving them on, improvement is sure to follow.

There was no questioning the heart and desire Ramsgrange showed in this game as they battled relentlessly. They were probably only a really powerful striker of the ball away from being right in this game to the end.

It was a tight opening to the contest, with an Anna Kane ’45 getting the Dunboyne girls on the scoreboard first.

Maeve Walsh kicked over their second point before an Ellie Byrne free narrowly missed the target at the other end.

Kane hit the crossbar for St, Peter’s in the 14th minute but ensured her school ended the opening quarter 0-3 to nil up.

County Minor footballer Sarah Bennett got a first score for Ramsgrange in the 17th minute, but back came Kane for Dunboyne with 1-2 to round out the period (1-5 to 0-1).

The Wexford school had the breeze in the second-half and re-emerged from the break with a new intensity and belief.

After Bennett was denied shortly after the resumption, the ball was worked back to Ellie Byrne and she found the net.

Unfortunately for Ramsgrange, despite their opponents playing against the breeze, Dunboyne got back on top and restricted the openings in the time remaining.

Tara Watters added a point for the Meath girls before Ruby Waters-Murphy made a fantastic goal-line stop from Hayley Watters.

Grace Wilson made it 1-7 to 1-1 and a pair of Kane dead-balls increased the lead to eight at the end of the third quarter.

The last quarter was competitive and a slog for both sides and no scores were added.

Ramsgrange did have some close-range frees but couldn’t catch a break going for goals, and Dunboyne held on to take the trophy.

Ramsgrange Community School: Caoilainn Scott (Gusserane); Irene Hanlon (Fethard), Jess Finn (Bannow-Ballymitty), Ruby Waters-Murphy (Fethard); Thea Furhmann (Horeswood), Róisín Whelan (St. James’), Louise Walsh (St. James’); Sarah Bennett (Clongeen, 0-1), Sara Colfer (Fethard); Hannah Murphy (Bannow-Ballymitty), Ellie Byrne (Fethard, 1-0), Keela Byrne (Gusserane); Rebecca Colfer (St. James’), Tori Molloy (Fethard), Aideen Byrne (Fethard). Subs. - Róisín O’Connor (St. James’) for Colfer (29), Kayla Butler (St. James’) for Hanlon (29), Anna Murphy (St. James’) for H. Murphy (29), also Caitlin Murphy (Clongeen), Cora Foley (St. James’), Emily Cadogan (Fethard), Maddie Cadogan (Fethard), Ava Dillon (St. James’), Ria Molloy (Fethard).

St. Peter’s (Dunboyne): Amy Crehan; Andrea Egan (capt.), Clodagh Maher, Katie McGovern; Ellie McGovern, Niamh Boyce, Maria Connolly; Lea Davey, Grace Wilson (0-1); Anna Kane (1-6, 0-3 frees, 0-2 ‘45s), Tara Watters (0-1), Maeve Walsh (0-1); Lauren Cunningham, Polly Blake, Hayley Watters. Subs. - Sadbh Tansey for Walsh (56), Lucy Kennedy for Blake (56).

Referee: Owen Beehan (Kilkenny).