Loreto Wexford 4-09

Loreto Kilkenny 1-09

Loreto Wexford made History on Saturday by winning their first Leinster A Camogie title. After a tough battle and a high quality match, the Wexford girls defeated reigning All Ireland Champions Loreto Kilkenny.

Loreto Wexford started brightly as corner forward Amy Cousins got the first score of the game, a point from the left side of the field. This filled Loreto with confidence and they raced in to a 4 point to 1 lead after 10 minutes. Lettie Whelan was to the fore during this period scoring one from play and pointing two frees.

Loreto Kilkenny found their rhythm in the next fifteen minutes and levelled up the game and went ahead 5 points to four after 22 minutes.

Wexford’s Ciara Butler superbly finished a goal to the left corner of the net after being found by a great pass from midfielder Ella O’Connor on 24 minutes. This goal was almost instantly cancelled out with a Kilkenny goal, followed by a point straight away.

The Wexford full back line of Caitlin Carroll, Anna Hennessy and Mikeala Lanigan, were being tested as the Kilkenny players launching attack after attack on the Wexford goal. The Wexford backs stood firm, and goalkeeper Lara O’Shea made an incredible save to limit the Kilkenny girls to just one first half goal. The half time whistle went with Kilkenny leading 1-06 to 1-04.

Loreto Wexford started the second half brighter, and captain Ciara O’Connor got in on the scoring act with a superb free from 50 metres.

Sarah Harding Kenny moved to to midfield to partner, the influential, Ella O’Connor, and both players, along with centre back ,Ciara O’Connor, began to dominate the aerial battle and win puck outs.

The running from the mid-fielders, coupled with Amy O’Leary and the Bennett twins – Rachel and Ann-Marie in the half forward line was now causing Loreto Kilkenny problems and started to draw frees.

With the scoreline at 1-06 to 1-05, in favour of the Kilkenny girls, they were awarded a penalty. Their centre back struck the penalty well, and Ciara O’Connor made a brillinat reflex save to deny Kilkenny what would have been a crucial goal. This acted as a catalyst for Wexford belief and they took the game to Kilkenny from there on in.

Half back, Ciara Banville, caught a puck out, and made a driving run forward, beating three players, before drawing a free, from which Whelan converted.

Lettie Whelan and Ciara Butler added points from play for Wexford which left the game level at 1-08 each with just five minutes to go plus injury time.

The score of the game came from left half back, Aoife O’Connor, who pointed off her left side after claiming possession on her own 45 metre line. This put Wexford in the lead with 3 minutes to play plus injury.

In the seven minutes that followed, Wexford added three superb goals, through Ann-Marie Bennett, super sub Aoife Dempsey and Lettie Whelan.

The referee blew the full time whistle, which was met with wild celebrations from the Wexford girls, their families, coaches and teachers.

Wexford had been narrowly beaten at this stage two years ago by the same opposition and thoroughly deserved their win this time around. The Kilkenny girls were gracious in defeat and the final was a superb match from start to finish.

Loreto Wexford: Lara O’Shea, Caitlin Carroll, Anna Hennessy, Mikeala Lanigan, Ciara Banville (Taghmon), Ciara O’Connor, Aoife O’Connor, Ella O’Connor, Ann-Marie Bennett, Rachel Bennett, Amy O’Leary, Amy Cousins, Lettie Whelan, Ciara Butler. Subs: Aoife Dempsey, Aine Coleman, Ciara Banville (St. Ibars), Anna Mulligan, Emma Rath, Fiona Kelly, Fiona Esmonde, Eimear Jackman, Ellen Berry, Clare Barrett, Ashling Alouf, Eileen Roe.

Management: David Crowdle, Tracy Browne, Conor Goff.