Scoil Mhuire and UCT lay down markers

Scoil Mhuire and Ursulines Thurles sent out messages of intent in the Munster Senior Schoolgirls Cup this week as they recorded heavy wins to advance to the last four.

The Cork school routed 2010 and 2011 finalists Mount Mercy 5-1 on Wednesday, despite being behind at the break, Elisa Buckley mopping up a short corner breakdown to give Mount Mercy a single-goal half-time lead. But David Egner’s Scoil Mhuire side ran riot in the second half, notching five from play as their counter-attacking game came up trumps. Munster U16 starlet Niamh O’Donnell fired a hat-trick, while Roisin O’Dwyer and Emma Dobson notched the others. They’ll now face Bandon Grammar at Harlequin Park next Wednesday, January 25 (3pm) with a place in the decider at stake. Meanwhile, Ursuline Convent Thurles cruised into the last four with a 5-0 defeat of Laurel Hill Coláiste at the Tipperary school on Thursday. Irish youth Olympian Antonia McGrath notched a treble with Leanne Fogarty and Paula Farrell also on target. They will play holders Crescent Comprehensive – who are seeking a third consecutive title – in the semis. Munster Senior Schoolgirls Cup quarter-finals: Scoil Mhuire 5 (N O’Donnell 3, R O’Dwyer, E Dobson) Mount Mercy 1 (E Buckley). Ursuline Convent Thurles 5 (A McGrath 3, L Fogarty, P Farrell) Laurel Hill Coláiste 0 Semi-finals: Scoil Mhuire v Bandon Grammar, Harlequin Park, Wednesday January 25, 3pm; Crescent College Comprehensive v Ursuline Convent Thurles (TBC).