Cumann na mBunscol Hurling/Camogie finals 2023

Tue, 27th June 2023

Day 2 - Tuesday June 13th.

The second day of Allianz-Cumann Na mBunscol hurling and camogie finals in Croke Park proved, once again, that the games are thriving in primary schools and the work being done in schools and clubs is ensuring that really talented players are coming through the system.

Energy, drama and colour were very much in evidence from the first final when Scoil

Chrónáin, Brackenstown, were outstanding as they overcame a good Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin side, with Matthew Broderick’s 4-3 marking him out as one to watch for the future.

Goalkeeper, Noah Madden, managed some amazing saves and won the inaugural Jimmy Gray ‘Cool Báire’ goalkeeping award. Equally impressive was Ryan Hand, who scored from two sideline cuts. He too was recognised with a ‘An Scór Is Fearr award.

The Johnston, Mooney and O’Brien Cup was first presented in 1938 and some wonderful teams have won it down the years. NDNSP, from Glasnevin, are the 2023 champions having beaten a spirited St. Canice’s NS from Finglas. The Finglas side had another sideline cut expert in Eoghan McLoughlin - another winner of an ‘An Scór Is Fearr’ accolade.

The premier competition for Camogie - Corn Bhean Uí Phuirséil - ended in a dramatic draw between Belgrove GNS and Bishop Galvin NS from Templeogue. The cup was shared. Gaelscoil Thaobh Na Coille from Stepaside were surprise winners as they overcame Divine Word NS to take Corn Haughey.

The blue riband of Dublin primary school hurling - Corn Herald - never fails to provide top-drawer skill, action, endeavour and drama and Herald 2023 lived up to all that. St. Mary’s, Rathfarnham, took on old rivals St. Laurence’s, Kilmacud. It finished with St. Mary’s taking their 8th Herald thanks to 0-9 from Rossa Sweeney who was outstanding. Full-forward, Theo Duggan, lifted the prestigious trophy which was first played for in 1939. Their great Tipperary coach, Don O’Neill was understandably very proud of his charges

Corn FODH was won by Divine Word NS, Corn Ollie Quinlan went to St. Attracta’s and Gaelscoil Mológa had a real star in Saibh Nic Cathail who scored 3-3. Corn Aghais went to Scoil Möbhí after an impressive win over St. Attracta’s.

The battle of the Gaelscoils, for the second playing of Corn Tom Ryder, named in honour of a Mayo founder of Cumann na mBunscol, was a terrific contest between Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada and Scoil Naithí. The cup was presented to Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada by Kay O’Malley (Ryder). She brought along her ten All-Ireland senior camogie medals won with Dublin when they dominated the camogie landscape in the 1950s and ‘60s.

Kay O’Malley(Ryder) presenting Corn Tom Ryder to Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada joint-captains Darragh Mac Eochaidh and Fionn Ó hEarcaí.