St. Brigid's girls up against it in historic pursuit of All-Ireland schools senior title

STEPHEN GLENNON

ST. Brigid’s VS, Loughrea will bid to become the first Galway school in 20 years to lift the Corn Sceilge – the All-Ireland Post-Primary Schools Senior ‘A’ camogie title – when they face reigning All-Ireland champions, Loreto of Kilkenny, in the 2012 decider at Templederry on Saturday (2pm).

It is hard to believe that the last time a Galway school secured the Corn Sceilge was back in 1992, when St. Raphael’s, Loughrea completed an incredible eight-in-a-row of All-Ireland titles (1985 to ’92). No other team has accomplished such an amazing feat while only two other Galway schools, Pres. Athenry (1974, ’75 & ’78) and Pres. Oranmore (’72), have secured national honours.

Of course, Galway sides have come close in this time, no more so than Pres. Athenry who lost both the 2006 and ’07 finals after replays. Others to appear in deciders since ’92 have been St. Raphael’s (1996), Seamount College, Kinvara (2000) and Portumna (’02 and ’09).

St. Brigid’s also made a final appearance in this period, 1997, when they were defeated 1-15 to 3-3 by then kingpins St. Mary’s of Charleville. That Brigid’s team boasted a wealth of talent, such as Sandra Tannian, Caroline Murray, Fiona Healy and Denise Gilligan.

In addition to Galway schools’ poor strike rate in the past two decades, St. Brigid’s also face a Loreto outfit chasing the three-in-a-row of All-Ireland wins. They also became the first Kilkenny school to complete the senior and junior All-Ireland double in 2010 when defeating St. Brigid’s 1-16 to 2-7 in the junior decider.

Indeed, since 2008, St. Brigid’s and Loreto – who have won four junior titles in the last five years – have met five times in all competitions, with the Loughrea side’s only victory coming in the All-Ireland junior semi-final in ’08. They subsequently lost the decider to Cross & Passion, Ballycastle.

They also met twice last year and, unfortunately, St. Brigid’s lost both the junior and senior encounters. That senior semi-final was played in Palmerstown and ended on a scoreline of 2-13 to 1-11. Loreto had led 2-6 to 0-7 at half-time and although Rachel Monaghan, who finished with a tally of 1-8, netted in the closing quarter, it was not enough to overhaul the champions.

Now, though, St. Brigid’s – under the joint management of Tommy Coen and Ger Lyons – have an opportunity to redress that defeat and, in the process, claim a first ever All-Ireland senior post-primary schools ‘A’ title.

For this one, full-back Niamh Murphy (groin) has been a long term injury victim, although she may yet play a bit part in the decider. In any event, corner back Aisling Spellman will most likely be deployed once again in the full-back berth for the throw-in.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.