Roycroft steers Grammar girls into last four

League champions Bandon Grammar School became the final side to advance to the semi-finals of the Munster Schoolgirls Senior Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Midleton College in west Cork yesterday afternoon. Ireland U18 hotshot Olivia Roycroft got the vital score in the first half, but BGS didn’t have it all their own way against a side who have punched well above their weight in this competition, despite being a Senior B outfit. Clive Seale’s troops had advanced to ths last eight via a 3-0 dismissal of Ashton, and Coyne twins Julie and Adele were the heartbeat of a well-marshalled side. But BGS made sure they scored during a dominant patch in the second quarter, and Kate Murphy led a consummate defensive effort in the second half to keep Midleton out. In somewhat of a novelty for the schoolgirls game, both semi-finals will take place in Bandon, with the ‘Grammar getting home advantage against Crescent, who oversame Ursuline Convent Thurles last month. The other last four pairing sees the competition’s giant-killers face off. Coláiste na Toirbhirte, who dumped Mount Mercy out, will take on Scoil Mhuire, who ended Laurel Hill’s dreams of retaining their title. Both matches are likely to be down for decision between February 23-27, following mid-term break.