GLORY! Ursuline Thurles wins Munster title with fantastic performance in defeat of Ballincollig

Munster Senior A Post-Primary Schools Final

Ursuline Thurles 1-14

Colaiste Choilm Ballincollig 1-06

Ursuline Thurles were crowned Munster Senior Post-Primary School champions on Saturday following an impressive 1-14 to 1-6 victory over Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig.

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The contest was evenly balanced in the opening quarter, with Jessie Shanahan’s goal giving Ursuline Thurles a 1-3 to 0-2 advantage. Coláiste Choilm responded well through Clara Murphy, who was excellent throughout the first half and raised a green flag of her own to keep her side firmly in contention.

Ursuline Thurles responded superbly to that setback. Caoimhe Stakelum struck scores from both play and placed balls, while Alice Butler and Mel Flannery also got on the scoresheet as the Thurles side began to take control. A strong finish to the half saw Ursuline Thurles open up a five-point cushion, leading 1-7 to 1-2 at the interval.

Coláiste Choilm needed a bright start to the second half, and they got it with a point from Sarah O’Connor. However, Ursuline Thurles quickly took over, with Alice Butler and Player of the Match Caoimhe Stakelum firing over three points in succession to establish a commanding lead.

Coláiste Choilm enjoyed a brief purple patch when Rachel Murphy struck three fine points from placed balls, but Ursuline Thurles once again responded in emphatic fashion. A Caoimhe Stakelum free, followed by another well-taken score from Alice Butler, effectively sealed the outcome.

It was a superb all-round team performance from Ursuline Thurles. Roisin Ferncombe impressed in goal, while Rosie O’Brien delivered an excellent man-marking display on Leah Hannigan. 

Kate Dowling was outstanding at centre-back, with Kate Duffy, Amy O’Connor and Ella Friend also prominent throughout. In the attack, Molly Jones worked tirelessly and was a constant threat, while Stakelum and Butler showed great composure in taking their scores.

For Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig, Rachel Murphy and Clara Murphy were their standout performers, particularly in the first half, but Ursuline Thurles’ dominance after the break curtailed their influence.

Overall, it was a thoroughly deserved victory for Ursuline Thurles, who produced a commanding display to claim the Munster title in impressive fashion.

Ursuline Thurles: Roisin Ferncombe; Orla Gleeson, Louise McGrath, Sarah O’Dwyer; Rosie O’Brien, Kate Dowling, Kate Duffy; Amy O’Connor, Ella Frend; Molly Jones, Caoimhe Stakelum (0-8, 0-2f, 0-1 45), Sophie Coughlan; Mel Flannery (0-1), Jessie Shanahan (1-0), Alice Butler (0-5).

Colaiste Choilm: Tara Ni Dhonnchu; Rebecca Hannigan, Aoibheann Conway, Ella Ni Suilleabhain; Cara Ni Shuilleabhain, Aisling Cussen, Clodagh Fitzgerald; Sarah O’Connor (0-1), Ally McGrath; Clara Murphy (1-0), Rachel Murphy (0-4, 0-2f, 0-2 45s), Alannah Whelton; Emily McGrath (0-1), Leah Hannigan, Julia Mehigan.

Referee: Donnacha O’Callaghan (Limerick)

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