Munster Post Primary Schools Senior A Final

Ursuline Thurles 1-11

Presentation Thurles 0-11

Ursuline Thurles are back to back Munster Senior A champions after a 3 point win over neighbouring school Presentation Thurles in Littleton on Saturday. Ursuline started the sharper of the two teams with three points in quick succession from Caoimhe Stakelum and the impressive Sarah Corcoran (2). It meant Presentation were always chasing the game and when Caoimhe Stakelum got the crucial only goal of the game in the 46^th minute it proved to be the difference between the two sides despite some great battling quality from the opposition.  Presentation got into the game with scores from Kate Ralph and Lucy O’Brien before Thurles Sarsfield’s Lucy Purcell pointed to keep Ursuline’s lead intact. The first half was a great tussle between two sides who were so familiar with each other as club teammates and opponents and the large crowd were treated to some great entertainment. Ursuline’s Caoimhe Stakelum added a point from play while not deterred Lucy O’Brien scored the next point for Presentation. Some fine link up play from the Ursuline players saw Lucy Purcell and Ava Bevans score a point each. Presentation was awarded a free which Rachel Ralph put over the bar. Seconds later the ref brought the first half to a finish with a scoreline of Presentation 0-05, Ursuline 0-07.

After the restart Rachel Ralph and Caoimhe Stakelum exchanged points before Kate Ferncombe won possession after a lovely pass from Stakelum to slot the ball over for her first score of the game bar. Moycarkey Borris and Presentation keeper Molly O’Dwyer played her part in the second half, following up a pointed free with a great save and clearance from Lucy Purcell. The game was in the melting pot when a long ball from midfield landed sweetly into the hands of Caoimhe Stakelum who had lifted off the ground at the perfect moment to catch the ball and with lightning speed Caoimhe charged towards the goal. She was going for nothing else and was justly rewarded when the ball shook the back of the net giving Molly O’Dwyer no chance.

More good play from Sarah Corcoran, Kate Ferncombe and Danielle Ryan led to a Danielle Ryan point before Rachel Ralph slotted two frees over for the Presentation.  With 2 points between the sides Sarah Corcoran got her third to give Ursuline that 3 point cushion at the final whistle. Presentation can take a lot of pride in their performance especially without key player Eva Ralph who was suspended. Best for them was Molly O’Dwyer, Caitlin Shelly, Kate Ralph and Lucy O’Brien. Ursuline were fully deserving off their victory and will now face Presentation Athenry in the All-Ireland semi-final at home on Saturday the 27^th. Paula Quirke was excellent throughout in defence while Sarah Corcoran stood out in midfield. Up front the Sarsfield’s duo of Caoimhe Stakelum and Lucy Purcell finished with 1-05 between them and were a constant threat.

Ursuline: Orla Ryan (Clonoulty Rossmore); Rachel Phelan (Emeralds), Allison Fitzgerald (Holycross), Emma Corcoran (Moycarkey Borris); Aoife Bourke (Clonoulty Rossmore), Aoife Kavanagh (Emeralds), Paula Quirke (Boherlahan Dualla); Danielle Ryan (Boherlahan Dualla, 0-1), Sarah Corcoran (Moycarkey Borris, 0-3); Kate Ferncombe (Clonoulty Rossmore, 0-1), Robbyn Fitzgerald (Holycross Ballycahill), Lucy Purcell (Thurles Sarsfields, 0-3); Caoimhe Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields, 1-2), Maria Ralph (Thurles Sarsfields), Anna Bevans, (Borris-Ileigh,0-1).

Subs used: Jane Corcoran (Moycarkey Borris) for Ralph; Isabelle Carr (Holycross Ballycahill) for R Fitzgerald.

Presentation: Molly O’Dwyer (Moycarkey Borris, 0-1); Leanna Coppinger (Thurles Sarsfields), Una Duggan (St Anne’s), Kate O’Keeffe (Moycarkey Borris); Caitlin Shelley (Moycarkey Borris), Lucy Callanan (Moycarkey Borris), Sophie Maher (Clonoulty Rossmore); Kate Ralph (Moycarkey Borris,0-2), Aoife O’Grady (St Anne’s); Lucy O’Brien (St Patrick’s, 0-2), Grace Flanagan (Cashel King Cormacs), Emer Dwan (Cashel King Cormacs); Caoimhe Doyle (Holycross Ballycahill), Rachel Ralph (Moycarkey Borris, 0-6), Ciara Shelley (Moycarkey Borris).

Subs used: Elanna McGrath (Holycross Ballycahill) for Doyle; Danielle Butler(Éire Óg Annacarty) for O’Grady.

Referee: Diarmuid Kirwan (Cork)