A last gasp Maebh Collins point saw Skibbereen Community School pip Loreto College Cavan to the Lidl All-Ireland PPS Senior A title.
With that, the silverware was back in Cork for the first time since 2022, when St Mary’s High School from Midleton were victorious writes Damien Donohoe.
The Munster champions, playing with the wind in the opening half, led by seven points at the half-way. Eabha O’Donovan opened the scoring for the Cork side after two minutes through a free.
Loreto worked their way into the lead, with Kate Fegan instrumental. Katie O’Meara sent over a free and Ruby Gilmartin raised a second white flag.
Skibbereen took advantage of some wasteful Loreto play. O’Donovan sending over two points and Collins pointing to gain a two-point lead.
Cavan senior Ellie Brady replied with a point. However, 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 edged into the lead, with a little bit of luck. Katie O’Meara’s shot from distance dropped just under the crossbar, catching out the Skibbereen keeper.
However, 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 of the first-half remaining, 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 half-time, 2-7 to 1-3.
Brady wasted no time after the restart with a point from the throw-in. 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 the ball and Kayla Bartley finished to the net. Leaving just three points between the sides.
11 minutes into the second-half, an O’Meara free narrowed the gap but Skibbereen kept plugging away, Carey sent over her second point.
Loreto again pressed up on the kick-out. This time Brady made the interception and O’Meara levelled the side with a palmed goal with seven minutes remaining.
Skibbereen retreated to form a blanket defence as Loreto went in search of the winner in the dying minutes.
With less than a minute remainig a brilliant counter-attacking Skibbereen move ended in the hands of Collins, who calmly split the posts for the winner.
Skibbereen Community School winning out 2-10 to Loreto College Cavan 3-6.
Loreto College Cavan: A. McDermott; K. Cahill, D. McGovern (C Clarke 44), N. Smith (A Galligan 34); A. Kennedy, C. Crowe, K. McSeain; E. Brady, L. Miney; R. Gilmartin, S. Clarke, K. Bartley; K. McGahern, K. O'Meara, K. Fegan.
Scorers: K O’Meara 2-3, K Bartley 1-0, E Brady 0-2, R Gilmartin 0-1.
Skibbereen Community School: T. O'Regan; M. O'Sullivan, A. Tobin, A. McCarthy; E. Connolly, E. Keating, L. Carey; A. O'Driscoll, K. McCarthy; M. Collins, B. Sheehy (M O’Shea 41), H. Sheehy (S Carey 61); E. O'Donovan, K. Carey, C. O'Regan.
Scorers: M Collins 1-3, H Sheehy 1-1, E O’Donovan 0-4 (2f), K Carey 0-2.
Referee: Sinéad McHugh (Donegal).
