Captain and player of the match Annie Fitzgerald hit 1-9 as St Angela's Ursuline won the All Ireland Senior A camogie title for the first time after another epic clash with Cross & Passion in Ashbourne this afternoon. Cousins Annie and Aoife Fitzgerald goaled in either half to secure a memorable 2-17 to 2-11 success.
The skipper scored 1-6 over the opening thirty as the Waterford school led by eight at the break. Five of the six Ursuline attackers got on the scoresheet. A ravenous red and navy raced 1-6 to 0-2 ahead after twelve minutes. Ciara Laverty bundled home a goal for Cross & Passion but Ursuline replied with four unanswered points (three from Fitzgerald and one by Abby Flynn). Cross & Passion star Roisin McCormick shot three points on the spin for the Antrim outfit. White flags via Flynn, Annie Fitzgerald and Ciara O'Sullivan made it 1-13 to 1-5 at the halfway stage.
Cross & Passion closed the gap to five within eight minutes of the restart. Ursuline sub Alannah O'Sullivan then saw a goal chance slip a whisker wide of the post. On 43 minutes, Aoife Fitzgerald rippled the top corner of the net with an unstoppable shot to restore their eight point advantage. The full forward added a spectacular point in front of the stand after a super solo run from Annie Fitzgerald. Charley McCarry whipped in a late goal for Cross & Passion but the Ursuline weren't to be denied.
They entered Post Primary competition four years ago and lost their first match at Senior C level. Annie Fitzgerald accepted the Senior A trophy from Camogie President Kathleen Woods afterwards to complete an amazing journey. Conor O'Toole and Emilie Darmody have led them to the top of the mountain.
