22 January 2016
Leinster Ladies Football Junior ‘B’ Final 2015/2016 – match report by Alannah Corcoran (4th year)
The Loreto, Wexford under 16 A team emerged victorious from the Leinster Junior ‘B’ Final 2015/2016 which took place on Monday last in Geraldine Park, Athy, Co. Kildare. Coming up against tough competition from Moate C.S. Westmeath, the Loreto girls remained strong and worked together in what was a truly brilliant game of Gaelic football.
Throw in was at 12 noon and within the space of five minutes, star centre forward Emily Coakley won the Loreto their first point. This was only the beginning as Coakley went on to score 03-07 in total. Excellent teamwork was shown throughout, with notable performances from Emma Codd, Rachel Bennett, Annmarie Bennett, Aoife Dwyer and Aisling Gouldson.
The defence cannot go without being mentioned. Players such as Sadbh McCarthy (capt.) and Caoimhe Neville ensured scores from Moate were kept to a minimum. As the whistle blew for halftime the score was 03-07 to 00-03 in favour of Loreto.
Tensions were running high again as the second half began. Scores from Emma Codd, Annmarie Bennett and Emily Coakley kept the Loreto in the lead. Goalkeeper Sally Walker remained cool and calm, deflecting many scores that Moate needed if they were going to win. Upon the final whistle blowing, teachers, parents and supporters all breathed a sigh of relief – Loreto had won, 03-13 to 01-04. Unfortunately for Moate it was not their day but we wish them the very best of luck in the future. The level of teamwork and dedication that the Loreto showed throughout was outstanding and they should be extremely proud of themselves.
Team: Sally Walker, Larah Campbell, Sadbh McCarthy (capt.), Niamh Dunne, Caoimhe Neville, Aisling Halligan, Clodagh Jackman, Aisling Gouldson, Julia Dempsey, Emma Codd, Emily Coakley, Aoife Dwyer, Aishling Alouf, Rachel Bennett, Annmarie Bennett Subs: Eva Crean for Alouf, Eve Hession for Halligan, Annie O’Gorman for Dwyer, Aoife Kelly for Coakley, Rebecca Banville, Clodagh Walsh, Sally Shortle, Megan Carty, Becky Hamilton, Emma Cousins, Anna Mulligan, Clara O’Doherty.
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Leinster ‘A’ Junior Camogie semi final
Loreto Wexford 2:05 Presentation Kilkenny 2:02
Loreto, Wexford edged past Presentation College, Kilkenny to qualify for their first ever Leinster ‘A’ grade camogie final. This Junior team is unbeaten in this campaign and have seen off St. Mary’s New Ross, St. Brendan’s Birr, and Presentation College, Kilkenny along the way. They now face Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny in the final, which will be played in the next two weeks.
Loreto started brightly and were a goal up inside 5 minutes when Rachel Bennett scored from close range after Anna Hennessy sent a long ball in. Cloadgh Jackman, Ciara O’Connor, and Ella O’Connor got on a lot of ball early on but the Loreto forwards couldn’t find the scores that their dominance deserved, racking up 5 wides in the first 15 minutes. Presentation then caught Loreto on the break for two goals in quick succession, which were against the run of play but showed that the Kilkenny forwards were sharp when given an opportunity. A Lettie Whelan free settled Loreto again and Ann-Marie Bennett scored a great point from the right wing to make it 2-0 to 1-2 at half time to Presentation.
Loreto looked much sharper at the start of the second half, with Megan Carty and Aisling Halligan beginning to dominate in the full and half back lines, Ashling Alouf also replaced Niamh O’Connor at the break. This dominance set a strong platform from which Loreto could attack and Emma Codd benefitted from this, picking up a loose ball to score a great point after a long solo run. Lettie Whelan then added her second point from a free to put Loreto a point up. Presentation equalised with a point before Rachel Bennett produced the score of the match; now playing at centre forward, Bennett turned the centre back, ran straight for goal and whizzed the shot past the goalkeeper into the top right corner of the net.
Lettie Whelan scored her third pointed free to put Loreto 4 points ahead with 5 minutes to play after a great solo run by Ella O’Connor who was fouled going through on goal. Presentation piled on the pressure but the Loreto defenders held firm to stop any goal chances. There were very important interventions from Sadhbh McCarthy, Caitlin Carroll, and Larah Campbell in the closing minutes.
The full time whistle sounded to the delight of the team who now will start preparing for the school’s first Leinster ‘A’ final against Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny.
Team: Hannah Quirke, Caitlin Carroll, Sadhbh McCarthy, Megan Carty, Anna Hennessy, Larah Campbell(c), Aisling Halligan, Ciara O’Connor, Clodagh Jackman, Lettie Whelan, Emma Codd, Ella O’Connor, Ann-Marie Bennett, Rachel Bennett, Niamh O’Connor. Subs: Ashling Alouf, Emma Rath, Eva Creane, Rebecca Banville, Anna Mulligan, Ciara Banville, Michelle Carthy, Amy O’Leary, Becky Hamilton (inj.), Mikeala Lanigan (inj.).
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The school is pleased to announce that it has purchased a set of 30 ipads for classroom use by students. Wireless broadband has been extended to the Teach Mhuire building to facilitate this development.
The first class to use these ipads, 4th year German, was conducted by Ms. Shannon on Thursday, 21 January 2016.
