School daze as Munster nurseries struggle

It was a day to forget for Munster at the John Waring and Kate Russell All-Ireland Schools Championships at Grange Road yesterday, after all three of the southern province’s representatives finished bottom of their pools and failed to record a win between them.

Bandon Grammar’s boys were taught a harsh lesson in finishing by both Banbridge Academy and St Andrew’s, with the latter keeping their hopes of a unique All-Ireland double on track by qualifying for the final.

A hat-trick of drag-flicks from ace marksman Stephen Dowds helped Bann to a 4-1 win over BGS, for whom Fionn O’Leary got a consolation. Their cause hadn’t been helped by the fact that young star Darren Sweetnam was struggling with illness on the eve of the tournament, and things unfortunately got worse against Andrew’s.

Bandon Grammar suffered at the hands of St Andrew's, with talisman Darren Sweetnam struggling with illness on the eve of the tournament. Picture: Stephen Findlater

The Booterstown nursery had problems with their own talisman, Stephen Cole, who was injured, but a 3-3 draw with Bann – in which they came from 2-0 down – meant they knew they needed to win by four against BGS to progress.

Three well-worked strikes inside 14 minutes from Sam O’Leary, Theo Kirwan and Fiachra Maher had them well on track early on, before David Cole got the all-important fourth early in the second half. BGS forced a couple of neat saves from Stephen West, but O’Leary’s last-minute penalty stroke sealed the deal for Andrew’s with a 5-0 win.

In the other group, Ashton gave themselves a real chance of progressing by snatching a 2-2 draw with Cookstown High, but a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Wesley brought them crashing back to earth.

The Tyrone school’s 2-1 win over Wesley earlier in the day meant Ashton needed a two-goal win to advance, but instead found the Leinster champions in unforgiving mood, taking out their own frustrations at missing out with two goals in each half.

BGS and Ashton will now meet each other in the wooden spoon match in an effective dress rehearsal for their Munster final, a date for which has yet to be set.

Meanwhile, the BGS ladies put up a bigger fight in the Kate Russell but still lost out to a Megan Frazer-inspired Foyle and Londonderry for a final spot.

Foyle opened up with a 2-1 win over Loreto Wexford, who responded by defeating BGS 1-0. Bandon could still go through with a two-goal win, though anything less meant the northerners would advance.

The Ulster side dominated proceedings with full senior international Frazer giving her side the lead. However, Olivia Roycroft equalised and an incredible defensive effort, combined with Emma White’s outstanding performance between the posts meant BGS held on for a hard-earned point.

Coláiste Iognáid players celebrate following the penalty-strokes win over St Andrew's that helped them progress to the final. Picture: Stephen Findlater

But the real thrills and spills were to be found in Pool A, where Coláste Iognáid, Ballymena Academy and St Andrew’s couldn’t be separated over three games.

The latter pair began the tournament with a 1-1 draw, a score matched by Coláiste Iognáid and Ballymena. It meant the winner of Andrew’s and Jesuits would be guaranteed passage to the final but once again a winner couldn’t be found in the hour.

The sides were locked at 1-1 for long periods after Katie Codyre and Gillian Pinder exchanged goals which would have caused a major jumble to decide the final group placings.

However, Chloe Watkins’ drag-flick broke the deadlock going into the final ten minutes but Coláiste Iognáid tied the game up with an audacious corner move. Katie Codyre produced a mind-boggling swivel at the top of the D to switch-left past the first runner and Brenda Flannery did the rest.

The 2-2 draw eliminated Ballymena on goals scored, meaning a straight penalty shoot-out between the Saints and Iognaid. A flawless set of strokes from the Connacht school saw them advance 4-2, Flannery once again netting the winning penalty.

It means there will be a new name on the trophy regardless of the winner, as Foyle take on Iognáid in the decider. BGS will meet Ballymena in the 5th/6th place playoff.

Thanks to Stephen Findlater for information and pictures. Full set of results and standings from day one can be found here.