Jes girls celebrate All- Ireland hockey win

Date Published: 24-Mar-2009

CÓLAISTE Iognáid Principal Bernie O’Connell and the Board of Management will have to consider building an extension at the Sea Road to accommodate the school’s bulging sports trophies – the latest triumph came on Friday when the Jes won its first ever All-Ireland schoolgirls’ hockey title with a ‘golden goal’ in extra time against Ulster cup holders Foyle/Londonderry in a thrilling final at Grange Road.

A couple of weeks after the Jes boys captured the Connacht Tribune Connacht Senior Schools rugby title, the hockey team added the prestigious ESB Kate Russell Cup to the four titles – Thornton Shield, Costello Cup, Heskin Cup and Palmer Cup – they won already this season.

Coláiste Iognáid have progressed enormously since they were annihilated during the school’s first foray into the All-Ireland series in 2003 but years of hard graft paid off and culminated in Friday’s magnificent victory which was the first time a Connacht School won the title since Taylor Hill’s feat in 1988. It was only the second time a Connacht school won this title.

Having drawn 1-1 against Ballymena Academy in the pool stages, the Jes beat Leinster outfit St. Andrews in a penalty shoot-out on Thursday to top their group and qualify for the final. Despite starting spritely, the Jes found themselves behind on 27 minutes when Foyle’s Imelda Frazer fired a shot passed Emilie Molloy. Deep in the second half Irish U-18 panellist Katie Codyre slammed home from around the flick spot following a direct long corner and it looked like the cup was heading west when Elaine Carey found the net with just minutes remaining.

There was to be more drama…