Doogue leads the way for lively Leo’s

ST LEO’S College, Carlow, produced a powerful performance to retain their Tesco All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Senior A Ladies football title at Croagh, Limerick on Saturday.

Laois senior star Sinéad Doogue was the star for St Leo’s with 1-9 — 1-8 from play. Inside forwards Emer Delaney and Lauren Dwyer added 1-2 apiece as St Leo’s captured a third senior title in five years. Coláiste na Sceilge had no answer to a powerful St Leo’s display as it all started to unravel for the girls from the Kingdom approaching half-time.

Playing into the teeth of a stiff breeze, Coláiste na Sceilge would have been pleased approaching the break as they trailed by 0-6 to 0-1 but in the closing six minutes of the first half, they leaked 1-5.

St Leo’s, who scored 3-12 from play, opened up a 1-11 to 0-1 lead as Doogue bagged nine first half points before Delaney goaled in stoppage time. It could have been even better for the champions but for two good saves from Coláiste na Sceilge goalkeeper Amy Fitzgerald. But Fitzgerald was helpless six minutes after the restart as Doogue surged through and rifled a shot to the top corner. Coláiste na Sceilge had managed just an early Erin O’Driscoll free until the same player goaled in the 49th minute when her long range shot slipped through the finger of goalkeeper Ciara Moore and into the net.

But St Leo’s responded superbly as Lauren Dwyer netted a sensational goal, evading a number of tacklers before burying a 51st minute shot into the roof of the net. With six minutes remaining, Leanne Curran kicked Coláiste na Sceilge’s solitary point from play on a disappointing afternoon for the Cahirciveen outfit.

St. Leo’s captain, Sinead Doogue downplayed her role: “It was a team effort. All the girls were fantastic.”

Scorers for St Leo’s: S Doogue 1-9 (0-1f), E Delaney & L Dwyer 1-2 each.

Scorers for Coláiste na Sceilge: E O’Driscoll 1-1 (0-1f), L Curran 0-1.

ST LEO’S: C Moore; C Callanan, J Moore, P Whelan; S Quigley, A Wall, R Julian; D Callanan, G Miller; H Griffin, S Doogue, A Hayden; E Delaney, L Dwyer, M Nolan.

Subs: A Kinsella for Hayden (48), S Rennick for Julian (55), A Kelly for Griffin (56), O Moran for C Callanan (60), S Dempsey for D Callanan (60).

COLÁISTE NA SCEILGE: A Fitzgerald; O O’Donovan, S Kelly, B O’Sullivan; A O’Sullivan, S Sheehan, P O’Sullivan; M O’Connell, B Dennehy; L O’Sullivan, A Galvin, J O’Mahoney; E O’Driscoll, L Curran, S Ni Chonaill.

Subs: S Keating for Ni Chonaill (43), M Clifford for L O’Sullivan (60+2), D Sheehan for Dennehy (60+3).

Referee: Keith Delahunty (Tipperary).