First Year Camogie Victory

38 First Years  made the journey to Mahon today for two games against Colaiste Choilm in the first year league.

Game One

SHSS 5-04 Colaiste Choilm 0-5

Blue skies overhead greeted the opening game with the Mahon pitch in excellent condition even after yesterday’s visit from Isha. SHSS played with the elements in the opening half and following a slow start were first on the scoreboard after Ailbhe Byerley converted a 50 yard free. With the majority of play in the Colaiste Choilm half the Clon girls were quick to take advantage and goals from centre forward Saoirse Gilmore and Luisne Deiseach pushed the lead out to 7 points as the first quarter elapsed. Choilm eventually got on the scoreboard with two well taken points which were answered in emphatic fashion by a Gilmore point and a superb Niamh Doyle goal following a mazy run which left the Choilm defence in her wake.

Half time 3-02 0-2

Playing into the stiffening breeze in the second half was going to be a challenge for the SHSS with coach Maebh Lyons emphasising the importance of this in her halftime team talk. The girls answered the call and hooked and blocked themselves to a standstill as Choilm went in search of scores, two points from long range being their only reward as the game entered the final quarter.

On a rare breakaway Luisne Deiseach pointed off her left to leave 7 between the sides. Things were looking good for Clon but almost immediately Choilm were awarded a penalty after an over enthusiastic challenge. The resultant penalty was driven powerfully but outstanding goalie Lucy Mc Carthy kept her clean sheet intact helping the ball over the bar. Another Ballincollig score from the puckout reduced the lead to 5 but Shss finished strongly with a breakaway Anna Carey goal when she finished at the back post following good build up okay from Eibhlin Murphy and Eabha Ni Bhuachalla.

Niamh Doyle was to have the final say with another top class finish, low to the left corner and was subsequently awarded Player of The Match by Referee Ger.

Game two

SHSS 2-1 Colaiste Choilm 1-2

The second game of the day began in similar conditions to the first but the weather soon deteriorated and the strong wind and regular showers put scoring at a premium. Choilm played with the benefit of strengthening breeze but teak tough defending from Izzy Aherne and goalkeeper Sadbh Harte kept the scoreboard blank. The ballincollig girls finally opened their account as the first half concluded 1-0 to 0-0 at half time.

Played with the wind to their backs the Clon girls took the game to Choilm and levelled the scoring with a goal from play before once again falling behind to two points in quick succession.

Coach Maebh Lyons make a few positional changes as the Clon girls were now running out of time. Following a foul on the hardworking Grace Forristal Izzy Aherne pointed to leave the minimum between the sides with allotted  time ticking to an end. “One last chance” shouted Lyons as Matilda O Donovan drove  from defence before parting to Forristal who was once again fouled. Up stepped Izzy knowing a point was not enough so she dropped the ball in around the square and after what seemed like an eternity up popped Emily Williamson to finish to the net to loud cheers from her teammates. The final whistle sounded as the SHSS girls celebrated. After the game Ref Ger nominated wing forward Grace Forristal as the Player of the Match.

Two great victories for the girls with 38 players seeing game time. Next fixtures 2nd February V Charleville and 9th V Midleton. Both in Castle Road. 

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