Kilkenny College leave Ursulines on the brink

Ursulines Thurles’ hopes of a first Subway All-Ireland Schoolgirls title since 1996 are all but dead as Kilkenny College and Banbridge Academy led the way on the first day of the national championships at Havelock Park yesterday.

Eimear Cregan’s side were competitive in their search for the Kate Russell Cup, but went down 1-0 to a Yasmin Pratt-inspired Kilkenny College before losing 2-0 to Leinster representatives Muckross Park in their second encounter.

With Kilkenny trouncing Connacht’s Colaiste Iognaid 4-0 and Bann recording a pair of 2-0 wins against the same opponents and Muckross, the clash of Bann and Killkenny at 11am could prove decisive.