Bandon gears up for schools derby delight

There will be plenty of tears and celebrations in Bandon tonight, no matter what the outcome of a unique Munster Senior Schoolgirls Cup final at Garryduff this afternoon (2.30pm). For the first time in the competition’s history, the showpiece pits two schools from the west Cork town — Bandon Grammar and Coláiste na Toirbhirte (Pres Bandon) — against each other. The latter have been the fairytale story of the competition, reaching their first ever final in only their second year as a Senior A school. Inspired by Cork ladies football senior panellists Síle Johnson and Anne O’Donovan, Coláiste na Toirbhirte have seen off two of the bigger names in Munster schools hockey, Scoil Mhuire and Mount Mercy, en route to this final. Coach John Dennis — whose wife Ivy sits on the board of management at Bandon Grammar — says the hype around the school this week has been “enormous” as a result. “In the context of the team itself, this is the final fling, as it’s the last match in Munster schools hockey for 90% of the girls,” he said. “The last week has generated huge enthusiasm; the school has got right behind them. Parent-teacher meetings  have been cancelled, every class is allowed to go support them.

“The hype is a plus and a minus; you realise everyone is behind you, but the couterpart is you have to do something about that out on the pitch. Síle and Anne are used to that type of attention and it’s their experience you’re leaning on to a certain extent.” Dennis says his side are underdogs on paper against a Grammar side laden with Irish and interprovincial representatives, but believes the relative physicality and maturity of his side will be a significant boon to their cause. “This side have had their defeats; they lost their first game at Senior A level 7-0 to Crescent up in Limerick last season. But this (getting to a final) didn’t just evolve, it was decided at the side of the pitch when we won the senior plate in Thurles last year. “It’s what the players want – our objective is to be in the Kate Russell, that’s the motivation and it’s huge for them.” Edward Gash will be in the opposite dugout tomorrow for Bandon Grammar, and his side have plenty of motivation of their own as they seek to annex only their second title, following a maiden victory in 2002. “There is a lot of excitement, for all of the girls it’s their first senior cup final as it’s seven years since the last one. That adds a lot of interest and an extra edge,” explained Gash. “We won the league match this season, but then again they won the plate last year, so it’s been a while since they were defeated in cup competition. They have a lot of match-winners in their team and have had some very good results against quality opposition, so it’s going to be very tough.” Nonetheless, his own side is also brimming with talent; skipper Olivia Roycroft is a former Ireland U18 international, while the likes of Gemma Kingston, Nicola Kerr and Kate Murphy have worn the red of Munster. However, he adds that the water-based surface at Garryduff — both sides are more accustomed to sand — will increase the unpredictability of the outcome, although both sides have had a couple of training sessions at the Rochestown venue to acclimatise. “The fact it’s on a different surface is another variable, it will really test the skills of the girls,” offered Gash. While there were many who hoped the game would be played locally, Munster Branch of the Irish Hockey Association (MBIHA) president John Rose said the need for a neutral venue, set prior to the semi-finals, and safety worries over the ability to accommodate the large support expected ruled out playing the game at Bandon Grammar. Nonetheless, a significant crowd is still expected at Garryduff, including pupils from Bandon’s other second-level institutions, St Brogan’s and Hamilton High School, who are sure to have friends on both teams. It will also be a proud day for Bandon hockey club, no matter who comes out on top — more than 20 players on both sides are products of their underage setup. “There’s great support from both schools for hockey,” said Gash. “Bandon hockey club has a very good underage structure in place, and a lot of the girls have come through that; it bodes well for the future of schoolgirls hockey in the town.” COLÁISTE NA TOIRBHIRTE: C Hayes (GK); M Essex (capt), D Galvin (vice-capt), A Murphy, S Sheehan, N Murphy, K Sedas, S Johnson, M Lynch, A O’Donovan, D Clarke, M Ni Mhurchu, N O’Leary, S Cross, K Murphy, O Lehane, E O’Flynn, D Crowley, S Lynch, K O’Callaghan, M Ahern. BANDON GRAMMAR: H Moore (GK), E White (GK); V Burns, R Corcoran, N Kerr, N Kingston, J Kingston, G Kingston, C Lynch,  K Murphy, L Nyhan, E O’Driscoll, A O’Leary, S Peters, O Roycroft (capt), S Sullivan, R Walsh, R Warner.