Connacht champions have no answer to star-studded Maghera outfit

Gort Community School 0-6

By DARREN KELLY IN BEAGH

GORT Community School’s first ever All-Ireland Senior A camogie semi-final proved a difficult experience last Saturday as a dominant St. Patrick’s College, Maghera made the scores count either side of half-time to set up a final showdown with Loreto, Kilkenny.

Aoibh Mulholland was the star for the three-in-a-row Ulster champions as her hat-trick left no doubt about the result. Katie McCloskey wrapped up the victory with their fourth green flag.

After winning a first ever Connacht championship in December, it’s not all doom and gloom for Gort who have made tremendous strides in recent years.  While the players will be gutted, only three are overage next year and they’ll take lessons from this experience.

“I have to say we’re very proud of our players. It wasn’t to be today but they tried and they died with their boots on,” said Gort manager Aoife Lynskey afterwards, who was assisted by Micheál Dervan and Sean Hehir.

“I thought the backs did very well. Literally held it together for as long as they could. They were under immense pressure for the whole game.

“Our forwards didn’t really get going today as they would have in other games. They had phenomenal games against Pres Athenry and St. Raphael’s.”

Maghera entered as strong favourites and against a strong wind blowing towards the clubhouse goal in Beagh, Catriona Scott’s charges asked a few early questions.

Gort’s Rebecca Gardiner produced a block for the first attack and the ‘home’ side’s defence held firm during the early pressure. Eventually a Mary Therese McCullagh dropping ball was struck overhead by McCloskey for the opening point on five minutes.

Sixty seconds later, Maghera doubled their advantage with Emma Quinn slotting over a free.  But then Gort start to come to terms with proceedings and enjoyed their best spell.

When midfielder Caoimhe S Fahey was fouled on eight minutes, joint captain Aisling Dolphin stepped up to register her first of the afternoon.

Pictured: The Gort Community School camogie team which lost out to St Patrick's, Maghera in the All-Ireland PPS Senior A semi-final in Beagh. Back row, left to right: Sarah Nolan, Cara Giblin, Beibhinn Veale, Bronagh Brady, Ciara Mullins, Ciara Mahon, Rebecca Gardiner, Katie Flaherty. Front row: Ava Lynch, Ailbhe Marren, Aisling Dolphin, Cora Gantley, Amelia Hardiman, Caoimhe S Fahey, Caoimhe E Fahey.