All-Ireland finals: Wins for Cork and Mayo schools

Skibbereen Community School 2-10Loreto 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 at the break, 2-7 to 1-3.

Brady wasted no time after the restart with a point from the throw-in but Carey cancelled that out two minutes later. Loreto, now with the wind at their backs, took control with an O’Meara pointed free. Pressing up on the Skibbereen kick-out, Kate Fegan intercepted and Kayla Bartley finished to the net, leaving just three between the sides.

With 11 minutes played in the second half, an O’Meara free narrowed the gap but Skibbereen kept plugging away and Carey sent over her second point. Loreto again pressed up on the kick-out and this time Brady made the interception and O’Meara levelled the side with a palmed goal with seven minutes to go.

Skibbereen retreated to form a blanket defence as Loreto went in search of the winner in the dying minutes.

With less than a minute to go a brilliant counter-attacking move from Skibbereen side ended in the hands of Collins and she calmly split the posts for the winner.

All-Ireland senior B final

Eureka Secondary School (Kells) 0-9 Mount St. Michael (Claremorris) 1-11

Mount Saint Michael from Mayo have won a Lidl All-Ireland Senior B title for the first time since 2010 after a solid display secured victory over Eureka Secondary School of Kells.

Caolinn Walsh's first-half goal for the victors was decisive. However, Eureka's high wide tally also cost them dearly and overshadowed a very good performance by the Meath-based side.

The windy elements made for a slow-burning game where neither team could gain the upper hand.

Eureka enjoyed plenty of possession, and used it well, but fell behind when Ashling Cummins of Mount Saint Michael saw her point attempt spilled by Caragh Reilly Brady into the path of Caolinn Walsh, who finished a decisive goal after 12 minutes.

Mayo senior footballer Bree Hession was influential throughout the game, kicking four first-half points even as Mount Saint Michael struggled to take full advantage of the wind.

Eureka were the better team at times and gained an early lead thanks to points from Deirdre O'Reilly and Cara Brennan before being hamstrung by Caoilinn Walsh's goal.

Mount Saint Michael finished the half strongly with four unanswered points from player of the match Lily Hession (two), Ashleagh Sammon and Bree Hession to lead 1-7 to 0-4 at the break.

Playing into the wind, Mount Saint Michael were efficient in their use of possession and far more accurate in front of goal.

Three points from Bree Hession and a single from substitute Áine Lynn were enough to keep them ahead in a half where Eureka outscored them 0-5 to 0-4.

The Meath school had plenty of chances but let themselves down with inaccurate shooting and questionable shot selection.

Their key forward, Ella McGlue, hit one point in the second half but was otherwise very well contained by former Mayo U-16 captain Emma Higgins.

Mayo senior Bree Hession continued to shine in the second half and nearly had an insurance score when she sent a rocket off the woodwork in the 44th minute.

Trailing by five at that point, Eureka ploughed on but saw points from McGlue (two, one free), and Jane Hetherton countered by a Bree Hession free and an Áine Lynn single from play.

The seven minutes added time were tense and scoreless but ended in glory for Mount Saint Michael, who brought the All-Ireland title back to South Mayo.