All-Ireland finals: Wins for Cork and Mayo schools

Skibbereen Community School 2-10
Loreto College Cavan 3-6

With seconds to go in this brilliant Lidl All-Ireland Senior A Post-Primary Schools Final, it looked certain that extra-time would be needed to separate the sides at UPMC Nowlan Park in Kilkenny.

Meabh Collins had other ideas, however, as she landed a famous winning point for Skibbereen Community School.

With that, the silverware was back in Cork for the first time since 2022, when St Mary’s High School from Midleton were victorious.

The Munster champions, playing with the wind in the opening half, led by seven points at the break. Eabha O’Donovan opened the scoring for the Cork side two minutes into the game with a free. Loreto worked their way into the lead, with Kate Fegan instrumental, as Katie O’Meara sent over a free and Ruby Gilmartin raised a second white flag.

Skibbereen took advantage of some wasteful Loreto play, with O’Donovan sending over two points and Collins pointing to gain a two-point lead.

Cavan senior Ellie Brady replied with a point at the other end but quick hands by Kate Carey and O’Donovan set up Hannah Sheehy, who restored Skibbereen’s two point lead with 14 minutes played.

Loreto once again edge into the lead, with a little bit of luck, as Katie O’Meara’s shot from distance dropped just under the crossbar, catching out the Skibbereen keeper.

But the would-be winners bounced right back with a pointed free from O’Donovan and a goal by Meabh Collins, after Carey intercepted a Loreto kick-out.

With two minutes to go to the break, Collins extended the Skibbereen lead with a point. In the last attack of the half, the Cork side were given their share of the luck when Hannah Sheehy’s point effort dropped into the net leaving her side seven ahead