DATING back to 1980, the historic Kate Russell All-Ireland Championship is a highlight of the schoolgirls’ hockey calendar and is widely regarded as the highest level of schoolgirls’ hockey in Ireland. The tournament brings together the very best teams from across all four provinces.
2026 marks a significant and exciting chapter in the competition’s history. For the first time, the number of competing schools has expanded from the traditional five Senior Cup winners — Leinster, Leinster South, Ulster, Munster and Connacht — to include the Leinster, Ulster and Munster Senior League champions, creating an eight-team tournament of exceptional quality.
Alongside the expansion comes a brand-new format, it is moving away from the traditional five-team round-robin structure and will now adopt a pool system.
Teams will be divided into two groups of four, with each team playing the others in their pool once, the top team from each pool will contest the prestigious Kate Russell Cup, while the second-placed teams will compete for the Daphne Hall Cup — two trophies that honour the exceptional contributions of two of the most influential figures in Irish schoolgirls’ hockey.
Royal School Armagh, who defeated Portadown College 2-0 in the Belfast Telegraph Senior Cup final on Wednesday, has been awarded the honour of hosting this year’s All-Ireland Schoolgirls Championship on Thursday and Friday, March 19-20.
The Ulster school became the first side to qualify for the 2026 competition after securing their fourth consecutive Ulster Stevenson Cup title in November 2025, narrowly defeating Banbridge Academy in a thrilling final at Lisnagarvey Hockey Club.
The Royal School are no strangers to this elite event, having lifted the trophy for a record fifth time in 2024. Several members of the current senior squad were part of that historic victory.
Team captain Joni Cunningham reflects fondly on that experience: “I am so excited to have the All-Irelands in Armagh again this year. I was lucky enough to experience it in 2024 and it was something I could never forget.
“To play in front of a home crowd at the highest level of schoolgirl hockey is something not many schools get to say they’ve done — but to do it twice, I couldn’t be more excited. I trust it will be a very enjoyable few days, not only for us as players but for everyone involved in supporting and organising.”
The school grounds will host half of the competition across the two days, including both the Kate Russell and Daphne Hall Finals on Friday, March 20. Matches will also take place at nearby Armagh Hockey Club, ensuring the city becomes a vibrant hub of top-class school sport.
The opportunity to be part of that legacy is not lost on the players.
Kate Livingstone said: “Having been a ball girl at the 2024 tournament, I’m really excited to be on the pitch and represent the school this year.”
Cadence Gillespie added: “Being one of the younger girls on the squad, I missed the tournament in 2024, so I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to be part of it this year.”
Royal School Armagh has ridden the crest of a hockey wave in recent seasons. Many members of the current 1st XI were part of the All-Ireland June Smith U14-winning side in 2022, a success that sparked an unprecedented period of dominance in Ulster schools’ hockey.
Since then, the team has featured in every domestic final — four Super League/Stevenson Cup finals and five Schools’ Cup finals — collecting an impressive seven winners’ medals and they added another when they defeated County Armagh rivals Portadown College in the 2026 Senior Cup final.
With four senior teams and six junior teams competing across their respective competitions, the strength in depth within the school is remarkable.
The girls’ commitment and dedication are exemplary, and such sustained success would not be possible without the tireless efforts of staff and parents who coach, organise and travel in support. The players’ work ethic and attitude are a reflection of their gratitude to all involved.
Vice-captain Rhianna Gillespie summed up what this tournament means to the squad: “After four years in this team, finishing at the Kate Russell at home makes this season even more meaningful.”
Following the announcement, Head Coach Greg Thompson said: “It is a huge honour for Royal School Armagh to be selected as host for the 2026 All-Ireland Schoolgirls Championships. The move to an eight-team pool format is a significant step forward for the game, ensuring a more intense and competitive structure for the players.
As a group, we’ve worked incredibly hard since our Stevenson Cup win in November to prepare for this level of competition. We have such fond memories of hosting and winning this tournament in 2024. To have the opportunity to defend that legacy in front of a home crowd once again is something the girls are relishing. We can’t wait to get started on March 19.”
The two-day event was hosted by Leinster in 2025, and there is real hope that the Armagh girls can bring the trophy back to Ulster in 2026. For the younger players, like Sophia Simmons, the tournament represents an invaluable stepping stone in their development: “As one of the younger players, it’s a great opportunity to learn from the older girls who have experience and to play in front of a home crowd.”
Several schools have already qualified for what promises to be a superb two-day festival of hockey.
If you are in Armagh on Thursday 19 or Friday, March 20, be sure to call in to the school pitch along College Hill or Armagh Hockey Club at Ardmore to support the players and enjoy some of the best school hockey in Ireland. Admission on Thursday will be free, with a small contribution requested on Friday for the Kate Russell and Daphne Hall Finals.
Confirmed teams so far are Colaiste Iognaid, Galway, (Connaught), Wesley College (Leinster), Loreto College Kilkenny (Leinster South), Scoile Mhuire (Munster), Crescent Comprehensive (Munster), Banbridge Academy (Ulster) & The Royal School Armagh (Ulster). The second Leinster team will be confirmed on Friday 6 when their cup final is played between St Andrews College and Holy Child Community School.
