All-Ireland glory for SMI Newcastle West with Donal Burke Cup success

A GOAL in the 46th minute from Player of the Match Hazel Horgan secured the All-Ireland Senior Schools 'D' title for Scoil Mhuire agus Íde Newcastle West, who beat Sacred Heart Tullamore 1-16 to 1-5.

The Limerick school had already had laid a marker down at the break when they led by 0-12 to 1-2.

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However they had still to face the stiff breeze in the second half in Nenagh. Their defence closed down for the third quarter, but it wasn’t until they worked the sliotar up the field at the start of the final quarter that their supporters could begin celebrations.

Horgan buried the Limerick side’s goal from that foray to add to seven points she had collected over the game. The other main scorer for Newcastle West, Mia Smith, was also influential in the win, as was the strong defence.

Tullamore goalkeeper Aoife Fitzsimons was inspired during the first half, while Maeve Duffy and Rachel Cunningham also worked hard to keep the Leinster champions in the game.

Duffy hit the net for Sacred Heart’s first score, but already Horgan (from frees) and Smith from play were eating away at their confidence.

The Limerick pair hit five points each with one each from Kayleigh Hurley and Sarah Cagney while Lily Marie Dolan and Rachel Cunningham responded with a couple of points for Sacred Heart.

There was plenty of pressure from Tullamore after the break, but just two more points from Cunningham before Horgan’s goal lifted the siege and eased Scoil Mhuire agus Íde over the line and ensured the Donal Burke Cup went to Limerick.

SMI Newcastle West scorers: Hazel Horgan 1-7; Mia Smith 0-5; Sarah Cagney 0-2; Kayleigh Hurley, Emma Horgan 0-1 each.

SMI NEWCASTLE WEST team and panel: Sarah Doyle; Emma O’Callaghan, Cliodhna Heffernan (C), Amy Gleeson; Beanne Larkin, Cora Long, Olivia O’Brien; Eabha Kelly, Isabelle O’Brien; Kate Liston, Grace Kelly, Hazel Horgan; Ella Cahill, Mia Smith, Kayleigh Hurley. Corie O’Connor, Kate O’Gorman, Grace Long, Sarah Cagney, Keelin Carr, Muireann Donelon, Millie Mai Dore, Emma Horgan, Hollie O’Grady, Madison McCarthy, Leah O’Grady, Amy Mullins, Karleigh Clarke, Tara Doyle.