Royal School Armagh on song in Kate Russell Cup but St Angela's stay in the hunt
Kate Championships The Russell Action Ireland Day From All The At Opening
Munster champions St Angela’s will be content with their opening day’s work, but hosts The Royal School, Armagh look the team to beat in this year’s Kate Russell Cup, hockey's senior schools All-Ireland competition.
St Angela’s got their campaign in the two-day round-robin competition off to a strong start with a 1-0 defeat of Kilkenny College. A tense encounter of few clear-cut openings was decided eight minutes from time when Beth Anne O'Farrell powered into the circle and saw her shot just creep over the line off the Kilkenny keeper.
O'Farrell had looked the main threat for the Cork school, for whom captain Aine Power was outstanding.
Earlier the hosts got the action at College Hill, Armagh off to a flying start with an impressive 7-1 demolition of Galway's Colaiste Ignaid. The Jes had no answer to the hosts' enterprising play with Rhianna Gillespie pulling the strings in midfield. Daisy Nicholson bagged a hat-trick for Armagh.
Royal School Armagh were again on song when defeating holders Wesley College. Two Hannah Redmond goals, the second from a late breakaway, proved the difference. Though Armagh were indebted to keeper Vicky Cupples for a couple of fine saves.
Kilkenny got their campaign back on track with a 5-1 win over Colaiste Ignaid, who had a difficult opening day.
And the final match of the first day's action saw holders Wesley under pressure to get a result against Angela's.
In another tight clash, Wesley eventually took the lead late in the final quarter after fine work from Charlotte Townsend. Credit to Angela's they responded immediately, driving into the Wesley circle and allowing Nicole Clarke to apply the finish.
Beth Anne O'Farrell even went close to a winner right at the death, but player of the match Lucy Bond saved Wesley.
The Day 2 action begins at 9:30am on Friday morning with all games available to view for free on Hockey Ireland TV.