Iosagain march onto Leinster Final

  • Dec 16,2011

Iosagáin march on to Provincial showpiece

Coláiste Íosagáin senior team made history last week as they became the first Dublin team to qualify for the Leinster A football final after coming through an absorbing semi-final against St Mary's of Edenderry in Belfield by 3-8 to 2-06.

The game began at a vigorous pace with Mary's the first to get on the score sheet thanks to a well-executed point from full forward Donna Cormican after three minutes.

Íosagáin responded well with a goal and two points from midfielder Clíona Mairtín a previous recipient of the Herald's Sports Star of the Week award, another from half forward Cathy Ní Neill and a point from Éabha Rúitléis.

Cormican for St Mary's converted two more points one from the penalty spot while a point from half forward Ciara O'Connor left the score at half time 2-05 to 0-04 in favour of Íosagáin.

After the restart the Offaly side made their intentions clear and began the half at a ferocious pace scoring a goal and two points in quick succession.

However, Íosagáin responded with points from Alannah Ní Chuinn and Mairtín as Edenderry were still attacking strongly. Cormican converted again to leave the team within one point of each other.

When Rúitléis was sin binned for ten minutes and half forward Cathy Ní Neil limped off with an ankle injury the momentum was with Edenderry and it looked as though the Mary's girls were going to take the game.

But íosagáin dug deep and defended fantastically to keep them in contention. A well taken free from Rúitléis on her return steadied Íosagáin nerves and they kept a two point lead until the last two minutes when Rúitléis broke through the Edenderry defence to hit the back of the net.

The Booterstown girls held on to win.

In January the Coláiste Íosagáin team will go on to meet the winners of the other semi-final which pits Moate Community School of Westmeath against St Leo's Secondary school of Carlow in the Senior A Leinster Final.

 

Report courtesy of the Evening Herlad, Thursday 15th December 2012.

Colaiste Iosagain pictured after their All Ireland Senior B win earlier this year.

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