St. Colm's Draperstown take the title

ST COLM’S WIN 1^ST ULSTER CAMOGIE TITLE

St. Colm’s Draperstown (6 - 3)                         St Colmba’s Portaferry (1-5)

St Colm’s High School Draperstown have made history by collecting their first Ulster title at U-16 level.  It was a truly magnificent achievement and one which no-one would deny the girls as they finished on a scoreline of 6-3.

It was a very special occasion for St Colm’s and St Columba’s Portaferry as both had reached their 1^st U-16 Ulster final ever.  Played at Woodlands grounds in Belfast, both teams were going to unknown territory and were playing each other for the first time.

St Colm’s elected to play against a strong breeze.  It was St Colm’s who opened the scoring on the 3^rd minute with a well taken free by Captain Maeve McGillian.  St Columba’s replied with 2 pts, one from play and the second from a well taken free by mid-fielder, Nicola Braniff.  Nicola was the main threat for St Columba’s, she covered every blade of grass, and finished the first half with a personal tally of 4 pts, 3 frees and 1 from play.  Despite playing against a very stiff breeze, St Colm’s defended gallantly in the 1^st half.  Goalkeeper, Grace Kelly had to make a number of close calls, which were quite sensational.  Full back Emma McKenna was in exceptional form and kept the defensive unit tight.  The wing backs Joni McEldowney and Gemma Conway soaked up a lot of pressure together with the ever reliable centre half back Michaele McBride. 

On the 13^th  minute, a resulting puck out from Grace Kelly was collected by Catherine McNamee who worked tirelessly throughout the match.  Catherine threaded a great pass into the forwards in which centre half forward Maeve McGillian finished it to the back of the net.  Maeve’s leadership and overall contribution to the match was a key factor.

On the 22^nd minute, with half time beckoning, wing forward Mary Jo McCullagh rounded 2 St Columba’s defenders to hand pass the ball into the net.  It was an excellent finish to a well worked pass from full forward Cathy Convery. 

Hal time  St Colm’s (2-1)      St Columba’s (0-4)

The second half was as exciting and exhilarating as the first 25 minutes.  Played at a rapid pace, with St Colm’s having wind advantage, both sets of players, really gave everything in chasing this Ulster title.

It was St Colm’s who started the brighter, winning a lot of possession but unfortunately not converting into scores.  Mid-field for both teams was nip and tuck.  The St Colm’s  trio of Roisin Conway, Bernice Henry and Claire McGrogan, really had to pull out all stops to curtail the St Columba’s threat especially Dawn Smith and Nicola Braniff..

The first score of the 2^nd half came in the 8^th minute.  Midfielder Bernice Henry won possession from the puck out.  Her pass to centre half forward Maeve McGillian resulted in a single handed solo run rifling past any St Columba’s players in sight and blasting a 15 yard shot to the back of the net.  It was awe-inspiring.   However this score was quickly undone as St Columba’s replied with a similar build up.  Nicola Braniff took the ball from the resulting puck out and carried it right into the heart of the  St Colm’s defence. 

Despite all efforts from St Colm’s wing forward Jenny Fowler found the net.  St Columba’s were closing the gap.  They had a great chance to level the game on the 12^th minute with Nicola Braniff hitting a close in free, low and hard, but the ever steady and composed Roisin Conway blocked the shot and won a free out.  This was a major turning point in the game.  St Colm’s mid-field came more into the game with Claire McGrogan excelling on the left wing and Bernice Henry battling for every ball that came in sight.  Roisin Conway had the hard task of marking Nicola Braniff, but stuck to her task admirably.

In the 16^th minute Maeve McGillian pointed again from play.  Full forward Cathy Convery and wing forward Mary Jo McCullagh switched positions and really found their form. From the 18^th minute both girls netted 3 goals and 1 point between them, all from play.  Mary Jo’s 1^st goal was a perfectly timed volley which displayed incredible vision, timing and skill.  St Columba’s did not score again until the 23^rd minute.

Seasoned campaigners, Fiona Breen, Patricia McNamee and Clara Murray, missed starting this final due to injury and illness.   However Fiona and Patricia made brief appearances towards the end as Fiona replaced the tenacious Gemma Conway and Patricia took the place of industrious Catherine.

At the final whistle, St Colm’s were worthy winners, with everyone playing a major role in taking this 1^st Ulster Title back to the Sperrins.  On behalf of Ulster Colleges, Lily Spence, presented the Shield to Captain Maeve McGillian

St Colm’s

Grace Kelly                                            Joni McEldowney                                Emma McKenna

Gemma Conway                    Michaela McBride                               Claire McGrogan

Roisin Conway                     Bernice Henry                                       Maeve McGillian (2,2)

Mary Jo McCullagh((3,1)    Cathy Convery(1,0)                             Catherine McNamee

Subs:      Fiona Breen for Gemma Conway      

Patricia McNamee for Catherine McNamee    

                Michelle McIvor

                Clara Murray

                Teresa Bradley

                Teresa Kelly

                Lauren Kelly

                Lisa O’Hagan

                Noleen O’Hagan

St Columba’s, Portaferry

Gemma Bell                                            Nicola Braniff                                        Jacinta Breen

Keara Leigh Dynes                              Louise Doherty                    Clare Quinn

Claire Coulter                                        Christine McGrattan                            Emma Murray

Dawn Smyth                                         Amanda McGrattan                             Jennie Fowler

Amy McCarthy                    Laura Keith                                           Ashley Fowler

Aideen Clarke