Local pride at stake as Bandon rivals fight for Munster Cup
For the first time in the competition’s history, the showpiece pits two schools from the west Cork town — Bandon Grammar and Coláiste na Toirbhirte (Pres Bandon) — against each other.
The latter have been the fairytale story of the competition, reaching their first ever final in only their second year as a Senior A school.
Inspired by Cork ladies football senior panellists Síle Johnson and Anne O’Donovan, Coláiste na Toirbhirte have seen off two of the bigger names in Munster schools hockey, Scoil Mhuire and Mount Mercy, en route to this final.
Coach John Dennis — whose wife Ivy sits on the board of management at Bandon Grammar — said the hype around the school this week has been “enormous” as a result.
“In the context of the team itself, this is the final fling, as it’s the last match in Munster schools hockey for 90% of the girls,” he said.
“The last week has generated huge enthusiasm; the school has got right behind them. Parent-teacher meetings scheduled have been cancelled, every class is allowed to go support them.”
Dennis added that his side are underdogs on paper, but believes the relative physicality and maturity of his side will be a significant boon to their cause.
Edward Gash will be in the opposite dugout for Bandon Grammar, and his side have plenty of motivation of their own as they seek to annex only their second title, following a maiden victory in 2002.
“There is a lot of excitement, for all of the girls it’s their first senior cup final, which adds a lot of interest and an extra edge,” explained Gash.
He noted Coláiste na Toirbhirte haven’t lost a cup match in almost two seasons — they claimed the senior plate last term — and believes they have “a lot of match-winners”.
Nonetheless, his own side is also brimming with talent; skipper Olivia Roycroft is a former Ireland U-18 international, while the likes of Gemma Kingston, Nicola Kerr and Kate Murphy have worn the red of Munster.
However, he adds that the water-based surface at Garryduff — both sides are more accustomed to sand — will increase the unpredictability of what was already going to be a tight game, given just a single goal separated the duo in the league, which was won by Bandon Grammar.
While there were many who hoped the game would be played locally, Munster Branch of the Irish Hockey Association (MBIHA) president John Rose said the need for a neutral venue, set prior to the semi-finals, and safety worries over the ability to accommodate the large support expected ruled out playing at Bandon Grammar.
Meanwhile, it will also be a proud day for Bandon hockey club, no matter who comes out on top — more than 20 players on both sides are products of their underage setup.
COLÁISTE NA TOIRBHIRTE: C Hayes (GK); M Essex (capt), D Galvin (vice-capt), A Murphy, S Sheehan, N Murphy, K Sedas, S Johnson, M Lynch, A O’Donovan, D Clarke, M Ni Mhurchu, N O’Leary, S Cross, K Murphy, O Lehane, E O’Flynn, D Crowley, S Lynch, K O’Callaghan, M Ahern.
BANDON GRAMMAR: H Moore (GK), E White (GK); V Burns, R Corcoran, N Kerr, N Kingston, J Kingston, G Kingston, C Lynch, K Murphy, L Nyhan, E O’Driscoll, A O’Leary, S Peters, O Roycroft (capt), S Sullivan, R Walsh, R Warner.
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