MCS ladies set to battle for All-Ireland final place

Moate Community School will be hoping for history to repeat itself when they meet Loreto College, Cavan in their All-Ireland Schools Senior ‘A’ semi-final tomorrow (Wednesday), March 16 at Lakepoint Park, throw-in 11.30am.

Two years ago, Moate CS defeated their Cavan opponents when they met in an All-Ireland semi-final at the same venue.

This year’s All-Ireland semi-final will also be played at Lakepoint Park (the 3G pitch at the St Loman’s Mullingar grounds), after Kinnegad had originally been pencilled in as the venue. However, Lakepoint Park was confirmed as the venue for the eagerly awaited match earlier this week.

Although Moate won the semi-final played in March 2020, they didn’t get to play the All-Ireland final against Loreto SS, Clonmel due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

That unfortunate situation will surely act as another motivating factor for the Moate CS camp tomorrow.

Moate defeated Loreto St Michael’s of Navan (for MCS, there seems to be no getting away from teams with Loreto in their name!) in a thrilling Leinster final in January on a scoreline of 6-10 to 4-12.

Shannon Mulvihill scored 3-5 in the Leinster final victory, again underlining her scoring prowess. But Moate CS were also inspired by superb displays in defence from Hannah Doolan, Joyce Conway and Chloe Moran. Team captain Áine Gaynor showed leadership and scoring ability at midfield, while Ava Cornally and Saoirse McGuinness were full of running in attack.

With talented players in their ranks from both Westmeath an Offaly, Moate CS will be quietly confident of progressing, but they will expect a very difficult challenge from their Cavan opponents.

The other All-Ireland semi-final is between Sacred Heart SS, Westport and St Mary’s, Midleton. Duggan Park, Ballinasloe will host that game at 12.00 tomorrow (Wednesday) as the Mayo and Cork sides do battle for an All-Ireland final place. And Moate CS will fervently hope to be in the decider in order to meet whoever comes through.

Moate Community School panel: Emma Quigley (Caulry), Joyce Conway (St Joseph’s), Amy Murphy (Caulry), Cliona McCormack (St Joseph’s), Hannah Doolan (St Manchan’s), Chloe Moran (Moate), Holly Keenan (Moate), Áine Gaynor (Caulry, captain), Anna Sheerin (Cill Óige), Saoirse McGuinness (St Manchan’s), Megan Clinton (Caulry), Hazel Kelly (Cill Óige), Ava Cornally (Clara), Shannon Mulvihill (Garrycastle), Kate Whyte (Milltown), Claire O’Donohoe (Moate), Aine Maxwell (St Joseph’s), Ella Grennan (Moate), Claire Conlon (St Joseph’s), Laura Conlon (St Joseph’s), Eliza Jane Sheerin (Cill Óige), Aoife Collins (Caulry), Caoimhe Cassidy (St Manchan’s), Niamh Kearney (St Joseph’s), Rebecca Finlay (Moate), Kaytlin Flynn (St Manchan’s), Emma Murray (Moate), Cara Greville (St Manchan’s), Kasia Wozniak (Moate), Eva Donlon (St Manchan’s). Management team: Fidelma Quinn, Niall Daly, Michelle Doyle, Patrice Smyth.

Tickets for the Moate CS v Loreto College match can be purchased on the universe.com website by clicking here - but fans can also pay at the gate.