Hockey: Scoil Mhuire and Crescent eyeing All-Ireland tilt

Both schools can travel north in confident form as Crescent are the current title-holders and the Cork outfit recently won both the Munster Schoolgirls Cup final and the league title.

Players from the Scoil Mhuire schoolgirls hockey team in action during a practice session at Harlequins Hockey Club ahead of the finals of the Kate Russell All-Ireland tournament. Picture Chani Anderson

Two Munster sides are in action in the Kate Russell All-Ireland Schoolgirls Hockey finals this week.

Scoil Mhuire, Cork, and Crescent College, Limerick, will head to Armagh for the two-day tournament.

Both schools can travel in confident form as Crescent are the current title-holders, and know what winning this tournament is all about.

Scoil Mhuire, for their part, recently won both the Munster Schoolgirls Cup final and the league title, defeating Crescent in both finals.

Dave Egner has been head of hockey at Scoil Mhuire for several years and knows all about this tournament.

“This is our second time in four years being there, and we hosted it in 2023. I think there are maybe a few people on the panel that are still there now, two or three are there,” said Egner.

“So, for most of them, it's a new experience. Since we took part in the Kate Russell in 2023, we've had the Daphne Hall competition in 2024 and 2025, and most of the players would have played in those competitions, which are like an expanded second-tier competition.

“They have had national exposure, which is good for them. And in the autumn of both years, we went to pre-season tournaments, so they have been exposed to different playing styles in different regions, which is great for them.” 

Commentating on the expanded format of the competition, Egner added: “This year, for the first time, there will be a final. The Irish Schools Committee were hoping to try and expand the tournament a bit more to make it into 16 like the boys, but because of the time of the year, it was just not possible, especially for Leaving Certs.” 

Egner’s side can travel in confident form after their double success in Munster, but he also knows that won’t count for much for this competition.

“I said to the players that we can be confident going to the tournament, but there's a difference between being cocky and being confident.

“We’re going in on the back of two good wins in the league final away to Crescent and the cup final at a neutral venue. It’s a positive experience being the Munster double champions, which is the first time in the school's history for that.

“The Kate Russell would be an awesome achievement to get at the end of it, but just to get there is the first step, and then I know a lot of the girls, if they came away with a medal, they'd be delighted, but we'll give it our best in the day, and we'll see what happens. I think the girls have the potential that they can medal” 

Picture Chani Anderson

Cathal Duggan, from Newcestown, is coach of the Crescent side, and he said they will be giving it their all to try and retain the title.

“It's a new look tournament, when we won the title last year, there were five teams, and it's now two pools of four, so there's going to be eight teams competing,” said Duggan.

“I think one of the brilliant things that's in it now is there's a final. I think twice we've won tournaments on goal difference and twice we've lost the All-Ireland on goal difference.

“Whereas having a final as a decider makes it much fairer. But there is a nice side to it that our players are used to tournament hockey. They've been there; they've experienced it. Of course, ultimately that'll only count for so much.

“I think the group stage is going to be pretty cutthroat from the point of view of, if you do lose, it's going to be very reliant on goal difference and trying to make up the difference ultimately because first place in each group play each other in the final.

“So, you're going to be under pressure straight away to get into those top two spots and obviously the top spot. But again, it is nice having lost the Munster final, we still have a chance to defend our title nationally.” 

They start that defence against Loreto, the side they beat last year to win the title and Duggan knows they will be out to avenge that defeat.

“They're well coached, we know from previously playing them, they're a well-organised side. And like with any tournament, if you're not taking at least one point, more than likely three from your first game, you're going to be in trouble.

“We've had an incredible few years. I know the last two weeks, two final losses have been difficult to take, but as I said to the girls, we owe nothing to each other.

“They all have All-Ireland medals in their back pockets. They're incredibly good to work with. It's an enjoyment to come to every training session. It's an enjoyment to get to coach them, and I hope they feel the same being coached by me, and we have two days left of hockey in our season.

“We're going to have a right go at it and enjoy every minute of it.” Games will take place at College Hill and Ardmore, Armagh, over the two days.

FIXTURES 

THURSDAY, MARCH 19 

Scoil Mhuire v Colaiste Iognaid, 11am; Crescent College v Loreto Kilkenny, 9am; RSA v Crescent College, 2.15pm; Banbridge Academy v Scoil Mhuire, 3.45pm; RSA v Holy Child Killiney, 9.30am; Banbridge Academy v Wesley College, 11am; Holy Child Killiney v Loreto Kilkenny, 2.15pm; Wesley College v Colaiste Iognaid, 3.45pm.

FRIDAY, MARCH 20 

Holy Child Killiney v Crescent College, 9.30am; Wesley College v Scoil Mhuire, 11am; RSA v Loreto Kilkenny, 9.30am; Banbridge Academy v Colaiste Iognaid, 11am. Kate Russell final at 3.45pm and Daphne Hall final at 2.15pm.