Munster Colleges Senior League Final Coachford College 3-8 Scoil Mhuire, Carrig on Suir 2-9 The Muskerry School overcame their narrow Senior A championship Final defeat to St. Flannan’s last weekend by virtue of a hard earned victory in the Senior League final over Scoil Mhuire Carrig On Suir at Mallow. Lisa McCarthy and Nicola Phelan started well for the Tipperary school and earned an early free which Chloe Blackmore duly converted. Lisa McCarthy added another from play before lively corner forward Megan Buckley responded from an acute angle for Coachford. Chloe Molden, one of 5 Piltown players involved with the club championship in the All Ireland series, scored a good point after impressive defender Kelly Ann Doyle cleared her lines. Aoife Norris made two great saves to deny Buckley and Cliona Healy with the Coachford keeper Katie Ward also in fine form. Emma Flanagan pointed after an incisive pass from Katie McCarthy but the margin increased to four points when Aoife Doyle put Lisa McCarthy through to give the Coachford keeper no chance. Avril Healy, Katie O’ Sullivan and Katie Verling began a period of tenacious defending to prevent any more scores and, when Jill Kiely set up Healy, the wing forward forced Norris into a super save but Aoife Twomey followed up and finished the sliotar to the net. Elusive forward Lisa McCarthy found herself in space with five minutes remaining in the half and drilled the ball into the corner. Cliona Healy responded for Coachford to leave the Tipperary school, whose players are mainly all from Kilkenny clubs, a goal ahead. A feature of the game was the tussle of Greenhill’s centre forward Chloe Blackmore, who was excellent from frees, and Orlaith O’ Driscoll. Blackmore converted a 45 but was denied any score from play by the stylish O’ Driscoll, with Niamh O’ Leary beginning to win the battle Kelly Ann Doyle in the second half. Chloe Holden pounced on a loose ball to fire over a point following a good block by Katie Sullivan. Emma Flanagan registered her second point from the wing and Rachel McElroy’s ground stroke beat Norris in goal to leave a point between the sides again. Aideen Buckley and the impressive Edel Tarrant at full back kept out Emer Long, McCarthy and Chloe Holden with Ward only called upon once in the second period to fashion another fine save. Points from Niamh O’ Leary, Cliona Healy and Ciara McCarthy put Coachford ahead by two points. Pointed long range frees from Blackmore restored parity but Cliona Healy converted after a great run to put a goal between the sides with five minutes remaining. Carrig on Suir pushed forward with Aoife Doyle and another Blackmore free leaving the minimum between the sides. Leah Kelleher intercepted a pass from Chloe Holden and the subsequent clearance from Orlaith O’ Driscoll found Katie McCarthy. A clever cross ball released Megan Buckley who was unceremoniously halted, with Niamh O’ Leary converting the free. Edel Tarrant, Niamh O’ Leary, Katie Ward, Ciara and Katie McCarthy impressed for Coachford whilst Lisa McCarthy, Chloe Holden, KellyAnn Doyle and Aoife Norris caught the eye for Scoil Mhuire. Coachford are attempting to retain their Cork Colleges Senior A title against Colaiste Choilm on Sunday 15th Feb at 12.30 in Cloughduv. Coachford College; Katie Ward, Avril, Edel Tarrant [C], Aideen Buckley, Katie O’ Sullivan, Orlaith O’ Driscoll, Katie Verling, Ciara McCarthy [0-1], Katie McCarthy, Jill Kiely, Niamh O’ Leary [0-2 frees], Cliona Healy [1-2], Emma Flanagan [0-2], Aoife Twomey [1-0], Megan Buckley [0-1]. Subs: Aileen Hennessy for Healy, Rachel McElroy [1-0] for Twomey, Leah Keating for Katie Verling.
