Senior All-Ireland glory for Mayo schoolgirls

Mount St. Michael of Claremorris have won a Lidl LGFA All-Ireland Senior B title for the first time since 2010 after a solid display secured victory over Eureka Secondary School of Kells, Co. Meath, at St. Brigid's GAA Club, Kiltoom, Co. Roscommon, writes Oisín McGovern.

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

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 they fell behind when Ashling Cummins of Mount St. Michael saw her point attempt spilled by Caragh Reilly Brady into the path of Caolinn Walsh, who finished to the net after 12 minutes.

Mayo senior footballer Bree Hession was influential throughout, kicking four first-half points even as Mount St. 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 Walsh's goal.

The Mayo schoolgirls 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 St. Michael were efficient in their use of possession and far more accurate in front of goal.

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

The Meath schoolgirls 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 Under 16 captain Emma Higgins.

Bree Hession, meanwhile, continued to shine in the second half and nearly had an insurance score when she cracked 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 effort from play.

The seven minutes of added time were tense and scoreless, and the game ended in glory for Mount St. Michael, who brought the All-Ireland title back to south Mayo.

Mount St. Michael: A. Murphy; Ashling Cummins, J. Commins, A. Roche; S. Kelly, Amy Cummins, E. Higgins; S. McNulty, I. Phillips; É. Finnerty, B. Hession (0-7, 3f), L. Hession (0-2); C. Walsh (1-0), R. Horkan, A. Sammon (0-1).

Subs used: A. Lynn (0-1), C. Keane.

Eureka SS: C. Reilly Brady; N. Smith, I. McKeon, D. Flynn; A. Larkin, K. Lynch, Eadaoin Morgan; K. Kavanagh, C. McDonnell; Ella Morgan (0-1), L. Finnegan (0-1), C. Brennan (0-1); J. Hetherton (0-4, 1f), E. McGlue (0-1), D. O'Reilly (0-1).

Subs used: J. Loughran, G. Conachy, J. Tegetmeier.

Referee: D. Hurson (Monaghan).