Roycroft rules as Bandon Grammar complete historic double

Some skippers lead by example, others are on-field generals, but Olivia Roycroft’s brand of captaincy seems to be to take games by the scruff of the neck. The Bandon Grammar School skipper has done it all during her six years of secondary school, having represented her province at various age groups, and worn the green shirt for Ireland U18. But she can depart the Munster schoolgirls scene safe in the knowledge that her legacy is set in stone, having guided her side to an unprecedented league and cup double, thanks to a 1-0 win over a gallant Colaiste na Toirbhirte side. Her intervention once again proved to be vital in helping her school to just their second Munster Senior Schoolgirls Cup victory, and their first since their maiden win in 2002. Roycroft had also hit the winner in the quarter-final against Midleton College, but her 10th-minute drag-flick is the one she’ll remember for years to come, following a scintillating few days for Bandon hockey. That started with the club’s senior ladies pulling off the shock of the season so far in defeating practically unbackable favourites Cork Harlequins in the Munster Senior Cup-semi-final on Saturday. Coláiste na Toirbhirte and Bandon Grammar had already done their part for the town by setting up the first ever all-Bandon final – all the more remarkable given the former are in just their second year at Senior A level – and the west Cork town was always going to be the biggest winner yesterday.

While the fare served up was typical cup final stuff – nervy and largely bereft of scoring chances – this can be partially put down to familiarity, given more than 20 girls from both schools are club team-mates. A tearful Roycroft acknowledged this in heartfelt fashion when she addressed the crestfallen Coláiste girls after all was said and done. “It was really hard to play against ye today, as we all know each other so well – you are great girls and a great team,” she said. It neatly summed up the community spirit in evidence at Garryduff, where a 1,000-strong crowd that was a riot of pink, red and black roared themselves hoarse, so much so that the players could barely hear the whistles of umpires Liz Clifford and Catriona Hassey. Nonetheless, Bandon Grammar coach Edward Gash won’t have minded that his side won ugly, and he paid warm tribute to Roycroft and her charges. “I’m delighted for the girls, they’re a nice bunch who have put in a tremendous effort all season,” he said. “As captain, Olivia has been superb, we had a young team starting off this year and she really took them on board. She deserves a lot of credit for this success, I can’t speak highly enough about her.” BGS had learned their lesson from their extra-time semi-final win over Crescent, and started far brighter, forcing three corners. Roycroft made the third of those count as her low drag outfoxed Coláiste goalkeeper Claire Hayes, who was clearly unsighted by bodies in the circle. Via the calm distribution of Kate Murphy at the back, and the skilful running of Sarah Sullivan and Gemma Kingston, BGS controlled the first half. But goal chances were at a premium as both sides had troubled with a bouncier surface than they’re used to.

Coláiste made a better fist of it after the break, thanks to the tireless invention of Cork ladies football panellist Síle Johnson, who was at the hub of everything good John Dennis’ side did, while captain Mary Essex was a tower of strength at the back. Diane Galvin and Deirdre Clarke also made notable contributions in midfield, and Coláiste looked set to force extra-time when they earned a flurry of short corners in the final minutes. Johnson forced a neat save from Emma White, but they failed to get a shot away from their other efforts, and their tears said it all at the final whistle. But Dennis said there are plenty of positives to come out of what has been a stunning rise to prominence for a school not famed for hockey. “We’ve probably created a situation where the school recognises what can be done with the game, and what can be achieved with hockey given the right framework,” he said. “Coming up the steps after the game, one or two girls who packed it in before said they’ll definitely be back – we’ve certainly created a bit of momentum. “I think the girls were a bit overawed in the first half – you try to prepare them for what they will see and hear on a day like this but it’s a bit different to a league match when it’s just the coach and subs on the sideline. “The early goal made it difficult, but we weren’t too despondent at half-time. We made a few changes in the middle and as the game went on, we had the upper hand in terms of energy levels. We might have got one back then but such is life, and such are cup finals.” BGS’ thoughts will now turn to the boys final, as they look to complete another unprecedented double. They are in the decider thanks to an 8-0 demolition of Villiers last week, and await the winner of Ashton’s clash with Midleton, which is set to go ahead next Wednesday.

BANDON GRAMMAR: E White (GK), K Murphy, E O’Driscoll, C Lynch, J Kingston, N Kingston, S Peters, S Sullivan, G Kingston, A O’Leary, O Roycroft (capt). Rolling subs: V Burns, L Nyhan, R Warner, N Kerr, H Moore (GK). COLÁISTE NA TOIRBHIRTE: C Hayes (GK), M Essex (capt), D Clarke, A Murphy, K Sedas, M Lynch, A O’Donovan, S Johnson, D Galvin (vice-capt), S Sheehan, N Murphy. Rolling subs: M Ni Mhurchu, S Cross, K Murphy, D Crowley, E O’Flynn, N O’Leary, R Crowley (GK). Umpires: L Clifford & C Hassey. To view and download 50 pictures by Eoin Tyrrell of the action on the pitch and in the stands, click here