Banbridge thump Ursulines in decider

Banbridge Academy completed a fairytale season by claiming the Subway All-Ireland Schoolgirls Championship in style at Havelock Park yesterday.

The Ulster girls, who won their maiden provincial title this season, went on to secure their first national crown with a thumping 6-2 win over Munster kingpins Ursulines Thurles in the deciding game.

Needing victory after nearest rivals Kilkenny College had drawn 1-1 with Muckross Park, they set the tone with a goal inside 15 seconds, Katie McKee slaloming through straight from the tip off. They were 5-1 to the good by half-time with captain Orla Thompson bagging a hat-trick and finished in style despite replies from Caoimhe Perdue and Sarah Murphy to condemn Kilkenny to silver.