Roscommon school aiming to secure hat-trick of camogie titles

A talented group of camogie players from the Convent of Mercy, Roscommon Town, are eyeing up the school’s third All-Ireland title in as many years when they travel to Fr. Tierney Park, Ballyshannon, to play St. Mary’s, Magherafelt, in this Saturday’s All-Ireland Schools’ Senior C camogie championship final (throw-in is at 1 p.m.).

The team, managed by Martin McManus and Teresa Hession, have beaten some high quality opposition on their way to Saturday’s final, but they’re hoping to save the best performance of the season for their biggest game of the season.

“We’re very proud of everything the girls have achieved. They have been brilliant ambassadors for the school, their clubs and the county. An All-Ireland title would be a fitting reward for all their hard work,” reflected Teresa Hession.

Martin McManus, who plies his trade with the Loughrea senior hurlers, has been impressed with the quality of the coaching the players have received in their clubs, which has them competing regularly for national titles.

“The girls have won All-Ireland titles with their county and their school, and that’s down to the work going on in the clubs.

“They’re a seriously talented group of players. They prepare properly for games, but they know how to have the craic as well. You can see the camaraderie within the group. They’re the best of friends,” he highlighted.

The Convent of Mercy made the long journey to Limerick to see off Laurel Hill Coláiste in their All-Ireland semi-final, having beaten Our Lady’s School, Terenure, in the quarter-final.

But Saturday’s opponents from County Derry — a school the Convent has become familiar with after beating them in the semi-final on their way to last year’s All-Ireland Schools’ B ladies’ football title — embarked on an equally arduous task for their semi-final, beating a Kilkenny school in their own back yard.

“Any team that goes to Kilkenny and wins can’t be too bad. We’ll have to be 100 per cent to be in with a chance of beating them,” acknowledged McManus.

The Convent of Mercy’s camogie shares have risen dramatically in recent years, with the school’s first All-Ireland title (Senior D) in the sport being delivered in 2022, followed by a Junior D crown in 2023.

Aideen O’Brien from Athleague is the captain of this year’s side, while Michelle Rogers from St. Dominic’s is the vice-captain.

“We have a lot of girls that have won All-Ireland titles with Roscommon at U-16 and minor levels. The team are backboned by players who are used to playing big games.

“They’re a resilient, calm group of players who know what it takes. This year’s county minor team will be competing at A level for the first time, so these are exciting times for camogie at underage level,” concluded Teresa Hession.

Convent of Mercy panel: Molly Finneran (Roscommon Gaels), Eve McNeill (Roscommon Gaels), Michelle Rogers (St. Dominic’s), Anna Hussey (Oran), Grace Geraghty (Roscommon Gaels), Hannah Murray (St. Dominic’s), Aideen O’Brien (Athleague), Lilly Murray (St. Dominic’s), Kaithlin Egan (St. Dominic’s), Síofra Hession (Roscommon Gaels), Hazel Kelly (Oran), Alannah Sutton (Roscommon Gaels), Tara O’Brien (Athleague), Zara Fallon (Roscommon Gaels), Michaela Lohan (St. Dominic’s), Maria Tiernan (St. Dominic’s), Emma O’Farrell (Roscommon Gaels), Ciara Killeen (Roscommon Gaels), Iona Hanly (St. Dominic’s), Emma Connaughton (St. Dominic’s), Maria Bolger (Four Roads), Aoife Conneely (Oran), Eve Connaughton (St. Dominic’s), Mia White (St. Dominic’s), Anna Kiernan (Roscommon Gaels), Emma Hough (Roscommon Gaels), Ella Lynch (Athleague), Clara Staunton (Oran), Niamh Dawson (St. Dominic’s), Ciara Corrigan (St. Dominic’s).

Management: Martin McManus, Teresa Hession.