South Limerick win Eithne Neville Cup

South Limerick won the Eithne Neville Cup last Wednesday when they produced two fine displays of camogie to capture the coveted trophy which is contested by the best camogie players drawn from primary schools all over Limerick city and county.

South Limerick were runners-up in this competition in 2018 and winners in 2017. The South came to Bruff with victory on their mind and they proved this when they took on the holders West Limerick in the semi-final.

Semi finals

Limerick City laid down a marker when they overcame the challenge of East Limerick in the opening game. The first half was evenly balanced. Laura Flynn raised a green flag for the East while Katylinn O Dwyer scored a fine goal for the City. It was nip and tuck with Ellie Madden (City) and Fiona O Malley (East) unerring from frees.

Half time: East Limerick 1-2: Limerick City 1-1

The City girls turned on the style in the second half. Their forward play was slick and accurate. Sophie Carey put her name to two goals while Ellie Madden rounded off proceedings with a fourth goal for the City team. East Limerick never gave up but Limerick City advanced to the final.

Final score: Limerick City 4-3: East Limerick 1-2

South Limerick and West Limerick have dominated this tournament over the years. The South girls opened the scoring when Caroline Fitzgerald converted as free. Poppy Giltenane replied with a similar score to level matters. Ciara Curtin and Sophie Burke tacked on points for the West to edge their team into a half time lead.

Half time: West Limerick 0-3: South Limerick 0-1

South Limerick were determined to regain the crown and captain Emer ODonovan fired a point to reduce the deficit. Beth Ann Storin replied for the West. Emer O Donovan scored the game’s first goal to edge her side in front. Poppy Giltenane levelled with a point from a free for the West as play swung from end to end. The sides were closely matched and the next score would be decisive. Caroline Fitzgerald was to prove the matchwinner as she fired home a great goal. The West girls rallied in a desperate effort to save the day but the South advanced to meet the City in the final.

Final score: South Limerick 2-2: West Limerick 0-5

FINAL:

The stage was set for a thrilling final and we were not disappointed. Ellie Madden opened the scoring from a free to get the City girls on the scoreboard. The City girls were determined to make their mark but exchanges were tight and space at a premium.

South Limerick equalised when Emer O Donovan scored a point from a free from an acute angle.

Half-time: Limerick City 0-1: South Limerick 0-1

Exchanges were tight in the second period but, as in the semi-final, SouthLimerick found their range and scored more freely than their opponents. Three unanswered points gave the South a cushion, but Ellie Madden pointed a free to keep the City in touch. The decisive moment of the game arrived when

Caroline Fitzgerald scored the only goal of the game to give the South some breathing space. City’s only response was a pointed free from Ellie Madden.

The final whistle was greeted with great scenes of celebration as the Southe enjoyed the moment of victory.

GAA enthusiasts would be interested to note that the captains in the final come from distinguished hurling families. Sophie Carey from Patrickswell NS is a niece of Ciarán Carey while South captain Emer O Donovan is a niece of Conor O Donovan, an All-Ireland winning full back with Tipperary in 1989.

Final score: South Limerick 1-4: Limerick City 0-3

After the final, Joe Lyons, Chairman of Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Luimnigh, presented the Neville Cup to South Limerick captain Emer O Donovan of Effin

NS. Mr Lyons praised all four teams for their performances on a great day for hurling Mr Lyons said that all four teams had represented their Divisions with skill and pride. He praised the teachers and other mentors who had prepared the teams for the tournament and predicted that many of the girls would be seen in the Limerick colours in years to come.

Mr Lyons thanked Bruff GAA club for their help in making the Neville Cup such a successful tournament. He also thanked referee John Paul Kiely who was in charge of all three games.

South Limerick

1 Lucy Mulcahy (Manister NS)

2 Lauren O Shea (Herbertstown NS)

3 Amy Mulcahy (Manister NS)

4 Rebecca Lynch (Bruree NS)

5 Maeve Power (Effin NS)

6 Sophie O Keefe (Scoil Mocheallóg) 

7 Abbie Clery (Kilbehenny NS)

8 Aisling Fitzgerald (Knocklong NS)

9 Caroline Fitzgerald (Knocklong NS)

10 Aobhinn O. Connor (Herbertstown NS)

11 Emer O Donovan (Effin NS)

12 Ava Markham (Hospital NS)

13 Megan Butler (ScoilDean Cussen)

14 Jessica Heffernan (Scoil Dean Cussen) 

15Maeve Geary (Kilbehenny NS)

16 Dearbhla Carroll (Knocklong NS) 

17 Ceile Hogan (Anglesboro NS)

18 Clodagh Reale (Hospital NS)

19 Jane O Neill (Scoil Dean Cussen)

20 Jenny Riordan (Ballygran NS)

Mentors:

Josephine Hayes

Roisín Cussen

West Limerick

Poppy Giltenane (Our Ladies Abbey Adare N.S.)

Sophie Bourke (Monagea NS)

Bethan Storin (Ahalin NS)

Eimer O’ Kelly (Ballingarry NS)

Maureen Howard (Shountrade NS)

Emma Mullins (Shountrade NS)

Emily Frost (Shountrade NS)

Ornagh Barrett (Ahalin NS)

Eimear Dore (Killoughteen NS)

Ciara Curtin (Templeglantine NS)

Kate O’ Gorman (Granagh NS)

Meabh Kelly (Ardagh NS)

Lily Heelan (Askeaton NS)

Donna Kenny (Croagh NS)

Roisín O’ Reilly (Broadford NS)

Faye Murphy (Gaelscoil O’ Dóghair NS)

Éabha Collins (Gaelscoil O Dóghair NS)

Caoimhe Magner Flynn (Raheenagh NS)

Ruby Molloy (Ahalin NS)

May McKenna (Ballingarry NS)

Mia Smith (Killoughteen NS)

Emma Meehan (Raheenagh NS)

Rachel O’ Connor (Our Ladies Abbey NS, Adare )

Mentors:

Caitrin de Bhál (Kilcolman N.S.)

Elaine Kennedy (Mahoonagh N.S.)

Caoimhe Costello (Our Lady’s Abbey Adare)

Noel O’Connor (Newcastle West)

East Limerick

Laura Flynn (Murroe NS)

Chloe Enright (Knockea NS)

Aoife Neville (Knockea NS)

Éabha Hurley (Knockea NS)

Orla Mc Grath (Crecora NS)

Roisin Conway (Oola N.S.)

Claire O’Donnell (Oola NS)

Amy Bowles (Oola NS)

Libby Casey (Caherline NS)

Aoife Kennedy (Caherline NS)

Abbie Halvey (Caherline NS)

Lucy Donnellan (Lisnagry NS)

Leah Whooley (Caherelly NS)

Ciara Wright (Ahane NS)

Fiona O’ Malley (Tineterriffe NS)

Hannah Dillon (Tineterriffe NS)

Molly Ryan (Bilboa NS)

Tara Madigan (Castleconnell NS)

Mikaella Ryan (Caherconlish NS)

Áine Dillon (Nicker NS)

Éabha Hourigan (Nicker NS)

Ellie Ryan (Bearna NS)

Selectors:

Leshia Horgan, (Knockea NS)

Lisa Barrett, (Crecora NS)

Kate Carmody, (Crecora NS)

Frances Barrett (Crecora NS)

Limerick City

Eva Toomey (Ballybrown NS)

Faye Coffey (Gaelscoil Chaladh an Treoigh)

Isabella Collins (Milford NS)

Ellie Madden (Milford NS)

Niamh Twomey (Milford NS)

Grace Field (Milford NS)

Alannah O Neill (Patrickswell NS)

Sophie Carey (Patrickswell NS)

Lilly Griffin (Patrickswell NS)

Jayne Casey (St Nessan’s NS)

Katie Keogh (St Nessan’s NS)

Lily Quinn (St Paul’s NS)

Grace Hartigan (Pallaskenry NS)

Katlynn O Dwyer (Pallaskenry NS)

Rebecca Bromell (Monaleen NS)

Siobhán Doran (Monaleen NS)

Emma McGrath (Monaleen NS)

Lucy Power (Monaleen NS)

Sarah Buston (Patrickswell NS)

Caoimhe Hennessy (Ballybrown NS)

Roghnóirí:

Niamh O Dea (St Paul’s NS)

Ruairi Walsh (St Paul’s NS)

Deirdre Ní Ghiolla Phádraig (Gaelscoil Chaladh an Treoigh)

Michelle Caulfield (Monaleen NS)