Alan Neary
Loreto SS, Kilkenny 2-5
Blackwater CS, Waterford 1-7
LORETO Secondary School team manager Brendan Williams was honest in his assessment of Saturday’s All-Ireland colleges senior camogie final success over Blackwater Community Sc
hool, Waterford at Ardfinnan in Tipperary.
A panel with 128 All-Ireland winners medals between them saw off a spirited second half comeback from Blackwater (Lismore), but according to Williams the Cats are capable of better.
“It was a mixed performance in some ways. Look we won the final and in many respects that’s all that matters, but we definitely didn’t play quite as well as we are capable of playing,” summarised Williams after the Kilkenny school's first win in the championship.
“For some reason things didn’t click as well as we wanted despite a great start to the first - and second - halves,” William added.
Incidentally, the Loreto succeed St Brigid's College, Callan, who won the title the previous two season.
At the quarter way stage the Kilkenny side were 1-4 to no score in front, but three quick-fire scores before the break brought Blackwater Community School back into contention.
By the interval the Waterford side chased a 1-4 to 0-3 deficit, but despite a goal and a point from Loreto right after half time, the Cats endured a nervy finale.
Outstanding Blackwater Community School skipper Marie Russell kept the Waterford side in contention with a spate of accurate frees, but the Loreto held on.
“We looked very comfortable at the start of the game, but by half time we were under a massive amount of pressure. Waterford came at us in droves”, said Williams.
“Really I can’t explain what happened. We have some very skilful players and usually our skill is what opens the opposition up, but it wasn’t straightforward today. Blackwater were very well organized and athletic, but we didn't make it easy for ourselves at times.
“In saying that I felt the half backs of Grace Walsh, Caoimhe Shiel and Nicola Butler really stood out and of the starting 15 probably they fulfilled their potential the best. We had chances over the 65 odd minutes. Noelle Maher got herself into a great position just after she came on, and the likes Aoife Murphy caused them problems too.
“We have one very, very experienced side but nine of the starting 15 are in their final year, sixth year, so inevitably there’ll be opportunities for others next season. It’s a great way for many of the team to end their time in secondary school, and with very few of the substitutes and the panel in their last year an experienced core will remain.”
Inside the opening 60 seconds Lydia Fitzpatrick sent Aine Curran clean through the Blackwater defence, but the out-rushing Treacey Kiely intervened for the Suirsiders.
