ROYAL SCHOOL, Armagh’s hugely successful season moved up another level with victory in the All Ireland Kate Russell Cup.
Armagh were tournament hosts and clinched victory with a 2-1 win over Kilkenny College and 2-2 draw with Munster champions St Angela’s on day two.
Head coach Greg Thompson hailed the Championship win, saying: “It was a very competitive tournament from start to finish. St. Angela’s pushed us all the way and I am very glad we held out in the end.
“Going into the tournament we had done the double-double of Ulster Schools League and Cup in 2023 and 2024. We have lots of experience in the squad – about nine or 10 have represented Ulster at this stage and some of those have gone on to represent Ireland at underage level.
“We will lose five of this squad at the end of this year – they are doing A Levels and will head off to University. The Firsts have done the treble, the seconds and thirds have won their Cups and the Under 14s have won their competitions as well. The girls across the school are hardworking and committed.
“We only opened our new pitch in September so to be standing here and looking at the girls celebrating, it’s all come together very well. We’d like to thank all the parents, the sponsors and everyone who helped us to host the tournament.”
Armagh entered the decisive day two of the tournament in pole position after wins on day one over Wesley College and Colaiste Iognaid.
That took them into their third game of the tournament, against Kilkenny College, top of the table with a 100% record. Looking to add to their points total, Grace McCool scored for Royal School in the first quarter. And they enjoyed a period of ascendancy in that first quarter which ended with Royal School 1-0 ahead.
Kilkenny College managed to keep Daisy Nicholson of Royal School off the scoresheet after her hat-trick exploits on Day 1 against Colaiste Iognaid. But this was a close and tightly fought game and remained so till the final hooter.
In the second quarter, Kilkenny enjoyed more possession but were unable to carve out the equaliser needed. They had created numerous chances which produced a fair share of penalty corners that they were unable to convert. It was still 1-0 at half time.
In the third quarter Kilkenny forced a penalty corner, their fifth of the game, but their captain Amy Handcock was unable to make it count. Play went from end to end during this quarter and Royal School Armagh goalkeeper Vicky Cupples had to be sharp to deny Kilkenny an equaliser in the closing stages of the third quarter.
A succession of penalty corners for Kilkenny were repelled by an Armagh defence ,marshalled staunchly by goalkeeper Vicky Cupples and Joanie Cunningham. Armagh then proceeded to take the initiative and forced a few penalty corners of their own but their was no further scoring. Lily Grace of Kilkenny College was chosen Player of the Match which ended Royal School Armagh 1 Kilkenny College 0.
First played second in the final match as Armagh faced Munster champions St Angela’s to decide the outcome. Both teams went into this game undefeated. After some end to end play early on, Armagh took the lead through a goal from Grace McCool in the first quarter.
St Angela’s needed to win to secure the championship. A draw would give the hosts the title.
It was still 1-0 to Royal School at the end of quarter one. St. Angela’s started the second quarter strongly and Nicole Clarke equalised from a converted penalty corner for them early in the second quarter.
Armagh responded when Hanna Redmond got a goal somewhat against the run of play to leave them leading 2-1 at half-time. St. Angela’s got a penalty corner at the start of the third quarter, Emma Naughton converting to make it 2-2 at the end of the third quarter.
Armagh were awarded a penalty corner early in the fourth quarter. From this penalty corner they were awarded a penalty stroke. Up stepped Joanie Cunningham, and she hit the post, what a let off for St. Angela’s College, and the score stayed at 2-2. This was the first penalty stroke missed during the entire tournament. Daisy Nicholson went on a solo run and looked certain to score for Armagh but missed the target. However, they won a penalty corner with their next effort.
That failed to produce a goal and St. Angela’s won possession back with two minutes to go. But Armagh held out for the draw they needed to win the championship for the fifth time.
Armagh’s Rianna Gillespie was selected as Player of the Match by the commentary team on the livestream. Ellie Stephenson of Armagh was voted Player of the Tournament.
FINAL STANDINGS
| TEAMS | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
| THE ROYAL SCHOOL | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 10 |
| ST ANGELA’S COLLEGE | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| WESLEY COLLEGE | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| KILKENNY COLLEGE | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| COLAISTE IGNAID | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 20 | -18 | 0 |
Ellie Stephenson
