O’Byrne holds nerve to send Mount Mercy into decider

Mount Mercy College survived a tense semi-final clash with Laurel Hill Coláiste earlier today, to book their place in the decider of the Munster Senior Schoolgirls Cup. A ninth-minute penalty stroke, converted by influential skipper Yvonne O’Byrne, was all that separated the sides, and Mount Mercy will now meet the winner of Friday’s other semi-final, between Crescent and Scoil Mhuire, in the final.

Eimear Cregan’s Laurel Hill had the better of the opening exchanges, without ever applying a finishing touch, and then were unlucky to conceded a stroke at the other end, awarded during a goalmouth melee after Naomi Flanagan had made a fine save. O’Byrne did the necessary from the flick spot, and the hosts’ defence held firm to take that lead into half-time, weathering the sole corner of the half. Sophie Haugh was unfortunate not to level things up, deflecting just wide on one occasion before seeing her cross-shot miss the far post. Mount Mercy won the corner count three-nil in the second half, with Jennifer Murphy and Allyson Moore impressing, and although Laurel Hill threatened on the break – and laid siege to the hosts’ goal in the final minutes – they couldn’t find a way through. MOUNT MERCY: Susan Peters (GK), Yvonne O’Byrne (capt), Ciara Lucey, Emily O’Leary, Elisa O’Leary, Kate O’Herlihy, Ciara Mullane, Sarah Browner, Jennifer Murphy, Allyson Moore, Grace Kelleher, Aoibheann O’Donovan. Coach: Darren Collins LAUREL HILL COLAISTE: Naomi Flanagan (GK), Sorcha Carey (capt), Emma Sherlock, Shelly Forde, Caroline Heghan, Rebecca Barry, Ciannait Barry, Kate Mullane, Aisling Nash, Nina Corbett, Rachel Clarke, Sophie Haugh, Ellen Horgan, Adele Hannon, Nicola Deggan, Grainne Leonard, Clodagh Green, Chloe Ryan, Siobhan Hogan. Coach: Eimear Cregan