Gaelcholàiste Chill Dara reach All-Ireland camogie final with thrilling win

All Ireland schools Camogie Junior D semi-final

Gaelcholàiste Chill Dara 3-9

Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore 2-10

Gaelcholàiste Chill Dara progressed to the All-Ireland school Junior D camogie final with a thrilling win over Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore in the newly-opened Kerdiffstown Park.

It was the Kildare school who started best with 1-1 from Naas forward Aoibhín Ní Dhubhshláine inside the opening two minutes.

Ardscoil na Mara fought back through Áine Mackey, who used her exceptional dribbling skills to hit two points back for her side. After another from Ní Dhubhshláine at the other end, Ardscoil then found the net themselves through Maebh Barry after she latched onto a rebound.

The Tramore side pushed three clear in a dominant spell with further points from Mackey and top-scorer on the day Lucy Beresford.

Two minutes before the break the Kildare side levelled with another goal from Aoibhín Ní Dhubhshláine. The dominant forward, who wore no.1 on her back, was set up superbly by Molly Ní Mháille before she found the net in superb style.

The sides were level at the break at 2-2 to 1-5.

Aoibhín Ní Dhubhshláine got her hattrick just after half-time and a super point from Gaelcholáiste captain Alex Nic Solaimh put them four clear.

It was a back and forth battle from here on in with the road back for the Tramore side being paved by the excellent Lucy Beresford. Thanks to their reliable free-taker, the team’s were level entering the final 10 minutes.

Lucy Beresford then pushed Ardscoil na Mara one clear, but saw that lead wiped out instantly by Alex Nic Solaimh at the other end.

The winning scores came from the games star performer Aoibhín Ní Dhubhshláine when she burst clear of her marker to fire over the 61st minute. The Naas forward got another a minute later to all but secure this fixture, her contribution of 3-4 on the day sent her side into an All-Ireland final.

Gaelcholáiste Chill Dara, Aoibhín Ní Dhubhshláine 3-4, Alex Nic Solaimh 0-4 (0-1 45'), Molly Ní Mháille 0-1.

Ardscoil na Mara Tramore, Lucy Beresford 0-7 (0-4 frees), Áine Mackey 1-3, Maebh Barry 1-0.

CHILL DARA: Leah Ní Bhuachalla; Tara Ní Dhufaigh; Naoise Ní Mheachair, Hanna Ní Uirlithe; Aoibhínn Nic Colla, Doireann Ní Cheallaigh, Layla Nic Chraith; Grace Gaillí, Clara Nic an Rí; Niamh Ní Thuathaigh, Alex Nic Solaimh, Ruby Ní Bheolláin; Dáire Ní Nualláin, Aoibhín Ní Dhubhshláine, Molly Ní Mháille. Subs: Abbi Ní Loinsigh for Dáire Ní Nualláin (51 minutes).

TRAMORE: Lexi Barry; Alanna Alanna Wilson, Caitlin Lowry, Jasmine Murphy; Amelié Powe, Alice Rainey, Leanna Buck; Ellie Gillane, Sarah Byrne; Lily Codd, Lucy Beresford, Áine Mackey; Áine Cashman, Maebh Barry, Ruby Glynn. Subs: Keeva Barry for Jasmine Murphy (33 minutes).

Referee: Simon Redmond