It was a local derby on unfamiliar ground as a strong Loreto Kilkenny side overcame near neighbors Presentation Kilkenny in the blitz final. It was a reversal of the result between the two sides in the opening group stages of the day and highlights how little there was between the sides.
The day seen schools from Kilkenny and Dublin taking part with some of the Kilkenny schools showing a serious drive and no little skill and a gap appeared throughout the group stages as the Kilkenny schools gravitated towards the top of the table. It ended up that the Cup competition was an all Kilkenny affair, while the Shield competition became Dublin schools only.
The final of the shield competition seen Mount Sackville face off against St. Mac Dara’s (Templeogue), following the Northside school winning their own local derby beating Castleknock CC in the semi final in what was a tight tussle. The final got off to a rip roaring start with some excellent performances on both sides. However, it was school based in Dublin 6 which proved to be too strong, winning out in the end.
The semi finals of the shield competition were both games played at high tempo, as Presentation Kilkenny (1) beat a resilient Castlecomer CS, while Loreto beat Presentation (2). This set up the final between the two teams who had performed most consistently throughout the day. The game was a cagey affair to start off with as girls who play with each other in club & county faced off but a purple patch for three minutes seen Loreto take a lead which was never relinquished. It was fitting that the player of the tournament also came from the Loreto side, as Nicola Carter (daughter of Kilkenny stalwart Charlie) got rewarded for her exceptional displays.
DCU would like to thank the teachers and coach drivers for their effort in bringing the students to this event. Great credit must go to the Ashbourne players and Bobbi Uram for their hard work in organising and running a successful day and to the ATT support offered by Stephen Carrass. A further mention then to the schools who participated; Loreto Kilkenny, Presentation Kilkenny, Castlecomer CS (Kilkenny), Castleknock CC (Dublin), Mount Sackville (Dublin) & St. Mac Dara’s (Dublin).
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