Mount Anville suffered heartbreaking defeat in a thrilling U14 Regional Camogie Final as a dramatic last-gasp goal in extra time saw Rosemont snatch the title by the narrowest of margins after an unforgettable contest packed with courage, skill and intensity.
Played at a ferocious pace from the opening whistle, this was a final that had everything - superb stick work, bone-rattling tackles, relentless determination and wave after wave of attacking camogie from two outstanding teams. Over the course of 90 pulsating minutes, the large crowd in attendance were treated to one of the finest schools’ finals of the season.
Rosemont made the brighter start and surged into an early lead thanks largely to the brilliance of their outstanding captain Lucy Toher, who struck 2-1 without reply and looked dangerous every time she gained possession.
Mount Anville gradually settled into the contest and responded in emphatic fashion. Annie McAuliffe opened their account with a well-taken 45 before goals from Peggy Meehan and McAuliffe brought Mount Anville roaring back into the game. McAuliffe added two further frees as the Goatstown side began to find their rhythm.
Rosemont, however, continued to threaten and found the net twice more, but Mount Anville responded superbly. Isobel Bailie produced some excellent attacking play to fire over two fine points before Emma McGuane rattled the net after a flowing move. Toher added another superb point for Rosemont, but at the interval Mount Anville held a slender lead on a scoreline of 4-5 to 4-3.
Defensively, Mount Anville were immense throughout. Emma McHugh, Keira Costello, Siobhán Leonard, Emily Mason, Emma Dillon, Lauren Heraty and Alice Brosnan repeatedly stood tall under severe pressure from a powerful Rosemont attack spearheaded by the exceptional Toher.
A key tactical switch saw Lauren Heraty move into midfield to closely mark Toher, and it proved hugely effective. While Toher remained influential, Heraty’s tireless work rate and discipline limited her impact significantly from that point onwards.
Grace Jolley and Ruth Byrne battled fiercely in midfield, while Lily Martin delivered one of the performances of the game after dropping deeper to help shield the defence. Martin excelled in the physical exchanges, winning crucial breaking ball and linking defence with attack through relentless work and intelligent distribution.
Up front, Peggy Meehan, Isobel Bailie, Erin Bowen, Annie McAuliffe and Emma McGuane constantly stretched the Rosemont defence and created numerous scoring opportunities. Only an inspired display from the Rosemont goalkeeper — who produced a string of outstanding saves — prevented Mount Anville from building an even greater advantage.
The second half was tense and dramatic. Rosemont gradually edged in front through a series of points and two crucial goals to establish a five-point lead entering stoppage time. Yet Mount Anville refused to surrender.
Displaying tremendous heart and belief, Annie McAuliffe and Emma Dillon both struck dramatic late goals to turn the game on its head and put Mount Anville in front as normal time entered its dying moments.
Still, there was one final twist. Rosemont won a difficult free out on the right-hand side deep into stoppage time, and Toher showed all her class and composure to convert with the final puck of the game, forcing extra time with the sides level at 7-7 to 6-9.
Extra time somehow delivered even more drama.
Despite suffering a broken finger early in the additional period, Alice Brosnan courageously returned to the field and remarkably found the net in an inspirational moment for her side. Both defences then dug deep, with scores increasingly hard to come by.
As the final whistle approached, Mount Anville looked set for glory while holding a two-point advantage. But heartbreak awaited. Once again Toher proved decisive, firing a late goal to snatch victory for Rosemont and leave the Mount Anville players devastated after a heroic effort.
Speaking afterwards, referee Derek Oman praised the extraordinary quality of the contest, noting that despite officiating at eight schools’ finals in recent weeks, this was comfortably the finest game he had witnessed.
Although defeat was cruel, Mount Anville can hold their heads high after an exceptional campaign in what has been a hugely successful first camogie season for the school. Their bravery, skill and spirit throughout the final reflected enormous credit on both the players and the school community.
Among the standout performers for Mount Anville were Lily Martin, Lauren Heraty, Alice Brosnan and the outstanding Annie McAuliffe. Targeted heavily throughout by the Rosemont defence, McAuliffe still delivered a magnificent personal tally of 4-5 and was unquestionably one of the stars of both the final and Mount Anville’s remarkable debut season.
Mount Anville Panel and scorers:
Emma McHugh; Keira Costello; Siobhán Leonard; Emily Mason; Emma Dillon (1-0); Lauren Heraty; Alice Brosnan (1-0); Grace Jolley; Ruth Byrne; Isobel Bailie (0-2); Lily Martin; Peggy Meehan (1-0); Erin Bowen; Annie McAuliffe (4-5, 2 45s, 1 free); Emma McGuane (1-0); Hillary Daly; Rachel Nolan; Erika O’Mahony; Eve Downey; Ciara Buckley; Lucy Hassett; Amber Enright; Ciara Hall; Alison Hickey Dwyer; Lucy Campbell.