Report: Another All-Ireland title for Bailieborough

Bailieborough CS 3-5
Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew 1-7

By Deniese O’Flaherty

THREE first half goals set Bailieborough Community School on their way to claim the Lidl All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Senior B title at the Kinnegad GAA Grounds.

It’s been a terrific few days for the Cavan school who last week claimed the Lidl All-Ireland PPS Junior B crown at the same venue, having also done an All-Ireland double in the grades last year.

The Cavan school held an 11 point lead at the break after a strong first half display but they had to withstand a late Cólaiste Bhríde fightback as they cut the gap to four points with two minutes of normal time remaining. However, the Wicklow school couldn’t add to their tally and Baileborough held on for the win.

The game was played in all weather conditions — hailstones, heavy rain, strong swirling wind and for a few minutes some sunshine and it was a great credit to both teams for producing such a fine sporting contest.

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A free from Carnew’s Georgia Horan opened the scoring in the fourth minute. Minutes later Bailieborough took the lead and it was one they wouldn’t relinquish. Ella McPhillips picked up the ball and soloed her way through before she unleashed an unstoppable shot to the net.

Minutes later Isabel McCullagh brought a great save from Carnew keeper Emma Kirwan. In the 10th minute McPhillips got her and her side’s second goal. Carnew replied with a neat point from wing-back Lucy Weld.

The lead was 10 points in the 18th minute when Bailieborough kicked two points before Abby Reilly’s shot was finished to the net by McCullagh. Horan kicked another free but points from Reilly (free) and a great effort from McCullagh left the half-time score at 3-4 to 0-3 in favour of Bailieborough.

Bailieborough hit the post twice before they got their opening score of the second half in the 39th minute through Reilly. That was to be their final score of the game. Carnew’s defence held firm in the early stages of the second half.

The heavy rain didn’t help either side as they went in search of scores. Carnew were awarded a penalty in the 53rd minute after Danielle Shannon was fouled; Kirwan dispatched the spot-kick.

At the other end Reilly hit the butt of the post with her effort. Horan kicked two frees to cut the gap to four in the 58th minute but they couldn’t get anymore scores and Bailieborough held on for a deserved win.

Scorers
Baileborough CS: E McPhillips 2-0, I McCullagh 1-1, A Reilly 0-3 (2fs), G McCabe 0-1.
Cólaiste Bhríde: G Horan 0-5 (5fs), K Tompkins 1-0 (pen), L Weld, C Doyle 0-1 each.

BAILIEBOROUGH CS: M Smith; O McCullagh, A Rogers, A Connolly; E O’Sullivan, E Lynch, G McCabe; E McPhillips, C McNicholl; K Browne, I McCullagh, E Reilly; C Brady, A Reilly, L Cooney.
Sub: S Holland for Brady 48.

CÓLAISTE BHRÍDE CARNEW: E Kirwan; S Reilly, A Wafer, K Healy; L Weld, A Johnson, C Doyle; M Hayes, C Doyle; N Tompkins, G Horan, K O’Brien; D Shannon, K Tompkins, A Murphy.
Subs: L Doran for Murphy 47, E Cullen for Weld 58.

REFEREE: Gus Chapman (Sligo).