Sacred Heart hold tough to reach Senior Cup decider

Heart by name, heart by nature. Pic: Dan Sheridan, Inpho

St. Anne’s Community College, Killaloe 12 Sacred Heart, Clonakilty 13 

Heart by name, heart by nature. 

Sacred Heart, Clonakilty pulled off a tense and dramatic victory to book their place in the Pinergy Munster Senior Schools Girls Cup final for the first time, dethroning a devasted St. Anne’s Community College.

Played at a damp 4G pitch in UL, there was contrasting emotions at full-time as Clonakilty appeared surprised in themselves that they’d booked their place in the provincial decider.

This game may not be rivalled for goal-line drama, close escapes, and overall endeavour from two well-coached sides. 

In the end, despite having the poorer discipline, less possession and territory, Clonakilty got their nose in front and just about withstood the late Killaloe surge.

Their discipline will need to improve for the final, however, it matters little on a special day in the history of rugby in the school. 

Killaloe captain Rebecca Rogers was held up on the goal line with the very last act, after a frantic second half saw Clonakilty take the lead through Rachel Twomey’s high-quality penalty, from nearing 40 metres.

Coláiste Muire Ennis and Intermediate School Killorglin were due to meet in the other semi-final today but that game has been postponed.

Sacred Heart did enjoy a strong opening, pinning back the Clare school in the early minutes, but a couple of knock-ons hampered their attempts to sneak ahead. Sarah McNamara intercepted a pass and ran nearly 60 metres as St. Anne’s began to get a foothold.

All afternoon, Clonakilty were guilty of infringements at the breakdown. 

The fact that the penalty count, 21-7, was against them, makes it more remarkable that they were ahead at the final whistle.

However, a red wall meant that St Anne’s couldn’t score early on, and it was Emer Moroney who wheeled away from a scrum and crashed over in the corner to give the Cork outfit the lead after 18 minutes.

Back came the champions and they would lead at half-time. The impressive Amy Lynch was able to finish off a patient move beneath the posts, as she secured the ball and crashed over. Emily Byrne made no mistake in adding the conversion.

There was a sense that St Anne’s would kick on, especially when the energy expended by Clonakilty may have hampered their progress.

Mia Hennelly made sure that her side capitalised on a Sacred Heart yellow card.

Roxanne Llewllyn was binned after the team warning and Hennelly, who is included in the Ireland U18 squad, went over to push them 12-5 ahead.

However, if Sacred Heart had struggled for parity in the opening three quarters, they found another gear entering the closing stages. 

First, Sara O’Sullivan was denied close out by Aoife Coleman, before they’d get their second try.

A 53rd minute effort from Kate Nolan brought them to within a kick. Twomey’s touchline conversion was just wayward.

However, Twomey’s effort didn’t deter her, and when her pack won a penalty just inside the 10m line, she didn’t hesitate in calling for the kicking tee. She made no mistake, slotting straight between the uprights.

Clonakilty looked to make sure late on but were denied first by a knock-on and then they were held up on the try line, before Killaloe went the length of the pitch in stoppage time. 

Another penalty infringement saw Solene Skupiewski receive a yellow – this for a high tackle. Too wide to kick, St Anne’s worked the ball through the hands but were denied by a sea of red jerseys as the final whistle sounded.

Scorers for St. Anne’s Community College, Killaloe: Tries: A Lynch, M Hennelly Con: E Byrne.

Scorers for Sacred Heart, Clonakilty: Tries: E Moroney, K Nolan Pen: R Twomey

St Anne’s Community College, Killaloe: A Coleman; S McNamara, A Hanly, M Hennelly, H O’Shaughnessy; E Byrne, R Rogers; A Walsh, A Slevin, A Lynch, E McEvoy, R Mockler, A O’Donovan, K O’Mahony, T Ryan.

Replacements: J Duggan, R Brown, A Reilly.

Sacred Heart, Clonakilty: S Skupiewski; C McCarthy, E O’Sullivan, K Nolan, T Fleming; R Twomey, C McCarthy; S O’Sullivan, O Whelton, A Giles, L Arra, É Egan, K Burton, R Llewllyn, E Moroney.

Replacements: A McCarthy, E Moloney, A Godwin-Coombs, A Brennan, C McCabe, O Lawlor, E Boyle, A Tapia, O Finn, A Dinneen.

Referee: Ian Coll (MAR)