Five-goal Ní Riagáin leads Gaelscoil Phortlaoise to camogie title
Gaelscoil Phortlaoise were crowned Division 2 Camogie championship winners at the Cumann na mBunscol finals in Laois Hire O'Moore Park Photo: Alf Harvey.
Roinn 2 Championship Camogie
Gaelscoil Phortlaoise 7-6
The Heath NS 1-2
IT WAS A glorious morning in O’Moore Park on Wednesday as Gaelscoil Phortlaoise lifted the 2025 Cumann na mBunscol Division 2 Camogie Championship after a hard-fought victory over The Heath NS. Eilís Ní Riagáin led the way for her side with a hugely impressive haul of 5-5, including four goals in the second half.
A good early score from Ní Riagáin gave Portlaoise the early lead only to see that quickly cancelled out by The Heath’s Fia Conroy with a lovely strike. Ní Riagáin put Portlaoise back in front with Heath goalkeeper Mae Delaney forced to make three incredible saves to keep Portlaoise out before a wonderful strike from Ní Riagáin finally raised the game’s first green flag.
Ní Riagáin pointed twice more, including a fabulous score from the sideline; and she was on the assist shortly before half time when Emer Ramsbottom finished well to add a second goal for Portlaoise, who led 2-4 to 0-1 at the break.
The Heath hit back with a goal inside the first minute of the second half when Conroy stabbed the ball home, but that was cancelled out almost immediately with a rocket of a strike from Ní Riagáin. Portlaoise were in again for goal number four moments later when Ramsbottom flicked the ball past the impressive Mae Delaney.
Conroy and Eilís Ní Riagáin swapped scores midway through the half before the outstanding Portlaoise forward drove home another goal to complete her hat-trick. Edel Ramsbottom added her name to the scoresheet with a well-taken score late on before Ní Riagáin rippled the net with her best goal of the day.
With time still left on the clock, Eilís Ní Riagáin marched in on goal where she raised one final goal to bring the game to a close as Gaelscoil Phortlaoise finished worthy winners.
Gaelscoil Phortlaoise: Eilís Ní Riagáin 5-5, Emer Ramsbottom 2-0, Edel Ramsbottom 0-1.
The Heath NS: Fia Conroy 1-2.
Aisling de Siúin, Léana Ní Mhaoldún, Éabha Langtún, Sofia Illomaki, Edel Ramsbottom, Aimee Ní Chlaoináin, Emer Ramsbottom, Eilís Ní Riagáin, Ava Ní Mhurchú.
Subs: Sali Nawale Chikaima Chukwuemeka.
Mae Delaney, Layla O’Connor Aisha Riippa, Emma Hyland, Ava McNamee, Fia Conroy, Laura Kavanagh, Grace Caplice, Sarah Brown.
Subs: Kate Delaney, Aoibhinn Treacy, Anna Cushen, Ashley Heffernan, Katie Fennelly, Emma Lalor, Lucy Ryan, Annie Lynch, Tara O’Regan, Gracie Moore, Haley Horohan.
