Lavin goals help St Attracta’s Tubbercurry past Ursulines Thurles

Player of the math Lauren Normanly of St Attracta's Community School celebrates with her goalkeeper Catherine Gallagher after their side's victory in the 2024 Lidl LGFA All-Ireland Post-Primary Schools Senior B Championship final match between St Attracta’s Community School of Tubbercurry, Sligo, and Ursuline Secondary School of Thurles, Tipperary, at St Aidan’s GAA club in Ballyforan, Roscommon. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Lidl All-Ireland PPS Senior B final: St Attracta’s Community School, Tubbercurry 3-12 Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles 1-10 

St Attracta’s Community School from Tubbercurry captured the Lidl All-Ireland Post Primary School Senior B Championship title with an impressive display at St Aidan’s GAA club in Ballyforan in Roscommon on Monday.

The Sligo school came from a point down at the break to overcome Ursuline Secondary School from Thurles with two second-half goals from Blaithin Lavin proving decisive.

Ursuline played with the breeze in the opening half but Aoife Cooke and Lavin had early scores for the Sligo school.

Thurles were level after 16 minutes, with Caoimhe Stakelum and the impressive Lucy Purcell both on the mark.

Lucy Henry of St Attracta's Community School in action against Danielle Ryan of Ursuline Secondary School Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

The same two players were involved a minute later when Purcell fired her side in front with an excellent finish to the net.

Sarah Corcoran added a point to put Ursuline four up, but St Attracta’s responded with 1-2, the goal from Lucy Henry.

Ursuline, leading 1-5 to 1-4 at the break, started the second half well when Ciara Fitzpatrick pointed after a super run from Isabelle Carr.

A point from player of the match Lauren Normanly after a pass from Ellen Giblin settled the Sligo side.

The key score came two minutes later when Lavin scored the first of two second goals. Her first effort was saved by Anna Phelan but the half forward finished the rebound.

Ursuline replied with a point from Purcell after great work by team captain Paula Quirke. 

Four points on the spin from Ciara Brennan, Ellen Giblin and a brace from Normanly pushed St Attracta’s five up.

Sarah Corcoran scored twice to cut the deficit but the insurance goal from Lavin secured the title for St Attracta’s.

Scorers for St. Attracta’s Community School, Tubbercurry: B Lavin 2-2; L Normanly 0-7 (0-2f); L Henry 1-0; C Brennan, A Cooke, E Giblin 0-1 each.

Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles: L Purcell 1-4; S Corcoran 0-3; C Stakelum 0-2 (0-1f); C Fitzpatrick 0-1.

ST. ATTRACTA’S COMMUNITY SCHOOL: C Gallagher; R Staunton, C King, A Durcan; E Cassidy, J Casey, L Henry; C Walsh, E Giblin; K McCarthy, C Brennan, B Lavin; G Cooke, A Cooke, L Normanly. 

Subs: M Mitchell for G Cooke (44); T Hosey for A Cooke (59).

URSULINE SECONDARY SCHOOL, THURLES: A Phelan; S Bell, C Fitzgibbon, K Bergin; P Quirke, S Corcoran, I Carr; K Carr, K Ferncombe; L Purcell, C Stakelum, D Ryan; C Fitzpatrick, S Quinlan, O Ryan.

Sub: E Smyth for D Ryan (52).

Referee: Aaron Clogher (Roscommon)