Pres Athenry’s stirring rally just fails to catch the Cats

Pres College, Athenry 2-10

THIS game appeared done, sewn up by half-time when Presentation College, Athenry trailed their physically imposing and powerful Kilkenny opponents Loreto Secondary School by nine points.

It would have taken a Herculean effort to make any sort of impression in the second half, especially after falling further behind when conceding the opening two scores of the half, but Pres Athenry showed maturity, confidence and ambition beyond their years to turn this  All-Ireland Schools senior camogie final on its head.

Niamh Niland kickstarted the revival with her 40th minute goal, Pres’ first score from play of the game, to reduce the gap to eight points but ten minutes later they had only reduced the gap a point further to seven.

A couple of outstanding Niland points from play cut the deficit further, before Sabina Rabbitte’s goal, followed soon after by Niland’s tenth point of the afternoon had the sides level inside stoppage time.

It looked as though Pres had timed their run to perfection. Possession from the next puck-out was key but Pres would never get another chance in front of goal to take the lead, with Loreto showing their experience to manufacture two late scoring opportunities and ensure heartbreak for a heroic Pres Athenry.

Conditions in Banagher were fair and the surface was in fine nick if not a bit dead at times which didn’t help the young Athenry school’s cause, but the manner in which they refused to yield to Loreto – experienced campaigners at this level and now winners of three of the last four titles – led one to believe that that 42-year gap to All-Ireland success may be ended in the not too distant future.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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