Hannigan hat-trick inspires Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig to first All-Ireland camogie title

A brilliant save by player of the match, goal-keeper Tara O’Donoghue, was also critical for the Cork school. 

Coláiste Choilm celebrate at the final whistle

Allianz Corn Gobnait All-Ireland Junior A Final:  Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig 3-8 St Patrick’s Maghera 0-13 

Two quickfire goals from Leah Hannigan in the 26th minute turned this Allianz Corn Gobnait All-Ireland Junior final in Abbottstown firmly in favour of Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig, who collected their first ever title in the 50th final of the competition.

Hannigan had already scored a goal after nine minutes when Emily McGrath took two defenders out with a hand-pass from a move on the right wing. But Maghera then dominated and took the lead in the 20th minute when Orla McCartney turned quickly to land their seventh point.

The goals changed the game; Coláiste Choilm led at the break by 3-3 to 0-7 and maintained that advantage throughout the second half, responding each time Emma Quinn tagged on a score for Maghera at the other end.

Hat-trick heroine Hannigan was a huge threat throughout the second half without adding to her interval total although it took a quite brilliant hook from Ellie Griffin in the 52nd minute to deny her a fourth goal.

 

Ballingcollig's other main scorer, free-taker Rachel Murphy, drove her team forward to relieve pressure on her defence during the second half when Maghera tried to turn the screw.

And player of the match was goal-keeper Tara O’Donoghue. The Ballinora shot-stopper pulled off some superb saves throughout the game, none more important than the one to deny Maghera sub Brianna Donaghy in the 40th minute.

The win makes Coláiste Choilm the second Cork school to claim the trophy, adding to the nine wins by St Mary’s Charleville.

Scorers for Coláiste Choilm: L Hannigan 3-0, R Murphy 0-6, 4 frees, C Murphy and A McGrath 0-1 each 

Scorers for St Patrick’s: E Quinn 0-6 frees, MT McCullagh 0-3, O McCartney, C McKenna, R McAtamney and A Mulholland 0-1 each 

COLÁISTE CHOILM: T O’Donoghue, R Hannigan, A Conway, L Ahern, S O’Connor, A Cussen capt., J Mehigan, A Whelton, C Roche, S Galvin, R Murphy, C Fitzgerald, E McGrath, C Murphy, L Hannigan 

Subs: A McGrath for S Glavin (ht)

ST PATRICK’S: K Birt, L McKaigue, E Griffin capt., GM Bradley, B Brolly, E Conway, O McCartney, E Quinn, A McWilliams, C McKenna, MT McCullagh, R McAtamney, O Johnston, A McFaul, A Mulholland 

Subs: B Donaghy for O Johnstone (22), E Diamond for A McFaul (43), G Diamond for C McKenna (49) 

Referee: A Largue