O’Donovan sends Coláiste na Toirbhirte into first final

The novel possibility of an all-Bandon Munster Senior Schoolgirls Cup final moved a step closer to reality earlier today as Coláiste na Toirbhirte held up their end of the bargain by defeating Scoil Mhuire 2-1 at Bandon Grammar School. Anne O’Donovan broke the city girls’ hearts with the winner two minutes from time, finishing well from close range after Síle Johnson made full use of a well-played advantage on the right. John Dennis’ side had gone ahead inside a couple of minutes, forcing two short corners, the second of which was converted by livewire midfielder Johnson. But Scoil Mhuire gradually edged their way back into it, and bagged a well-deserved but scrappy equaliser four minutes from the break through Rachel O’Hanlon.

Coláiste na Toirbhirte fell off the pace somewhat on the resumption, but somehow foiled a number of one-on-ones, while keeper Claire Hayes did well to repel a low Lauragh O’Neill drag-flick, before Amy Kate Trevor sent a second effort across goal from the injector position. O’Donovan’s late show wasn’t the final act – O’Hanlon could have forced extra-time but didn’t connect properly with a revere-stick effort. Whether they win or lose their first ever final, this season will be remembered fondly at Coláiste na Toirbhirte, who only moved up to Senior A level last season, winning the plate in the process. They will know who their opposition are by tomorrow night, as Bandon Grammar School host Crescent College Comprehensive in the afternoon (2pm). League winners BGS are favourites on paper to progress, as Edward Gash’s side seek to annex their second title after the school’s maiden success in 2002. Their effort will once again be spearheaded by Munster U21 and former Ireland U18 forward Olivia Roycroft, who scored the winner in their 1-0 quarter-final win over Midleton College and is the side’s captain. They are sweating over the fitness of Munster U16’s Gemma Kingston, while Crescent coach Ollie O’Connor has a few injury concerns of his own, including Orla Donworth, whose goal saw off Ursuline Convent Thurles in the last eight. “We have a very young side with 11 of the above players being underage again next year,” said O’Connor. “Bandon beat us 2-1 in the league. We have a couple of injury worries at the moment with Orla Donworth, Roisin Upton and Katie Flinn all having physio at present.” Meanwhile, the semi-finals of the boys’ competition get underway this week as Bandon Gramar travel to Villiers on Wednesday, where they will be raging hot favourites to advance with the likes of Darren Sweetnam, Fionn O’Leary and Scott Sullivan leading their challenge. The winners of that game – plus the other semi-final, likely to be between Midleton and Ashton – will represent Munster in the John Waring Cup, a new all-Ireland competition for boys. COLAISTE NA TOIRBHIRTE: Claire Hayes (GK), Mary Essex (Captain), Diane Galvin (VC), Aoife Murphy, Sarah Sheehan, Nora Murphy, Kate Sedas, Sile Johnson, Maedhbh Lynch, Anne O’Donovan, Deirdre Clarke, Marie Ni Mhurchu, Neasa O’Leary, Serena Cross, Kate Murphy, Orla Lehane, Emma O’Flynn, Dearbhla Crowley, Shauna Lynch, Katie O’Callaghan, Mary Ahern. SCOIL MHUIRE: Aoife O’Toole (GK), Doirean O’Brien (C), Vivien Murphy, Emer Murphy (VC), Gene Hamel, Jill Kelleher, Amy-Kate Trevor, Megan O’Riordan, Orlagh Cotter, Emily Reidy, Lauragh O’Neill, Fiona Parfrey, Rachel O’Hanlon, Emma Dobson, Roisin O’Dwyer. BANDON GRAMMAR: Victoria Burns, Ruth Corcoran, Nicola Kerr, Nikki Kingston, Jess Kingston, Gemma Kingston, Ciara Lynch, Holly Moore (GK), Kate Murphy, Laura Nyhan, Emer O’Driscoll, Aisling O’Leary,  Stephaine Peters,  Olivia Roycroft (Captain), Sarah Sullivan,  Rachel Walsh, Rachel Warner, Emma White (GK). CRESCENT: Aoife McNamara (GK), Deirdre Aherne (Captain), Geena Kinevane, Fiona O’Shea, Lorna Barry, Erica Balfry, Shelly Fives, Ciara Moloney, Katie Flinn, Jessica McKechnie, Jane Hickey, Orla Donworth, Ciara Nolan, Mary O’Connor, Kate O’Hanrahan, Roisin Upton, Hilary McGann.