Aisling Hanly was in top form for the Convent of Mercy this afternoon. Picture: INPHO/Ashley Cahill
A memorable week in the fabled sporting history of the Convent of Mercy reached new heights this afternoon when the school’s senior football team blew their opponents from Derry out of the water to reach the All-Ireland final.
David O’Reilly’s side blitzed St. Mary’s, Magherafelt, by 5-9 to 0-8 in tough conditions at Lisnaskea Emmets in Fermanagh to qualify for the Lidl LGFA All-Ireland Post-Primary Schools Senior B final.
Led by their captain and Roscommon star, Aisling Hanly, who was Player of the Match with a personal tally of 2-3, the Convent were 1-3 to 0-4 ahead at the break, thanks to 1-1 from Hanly and two frees from Ciara Dowd.
But the Roscommon Town school unleashed their scoring potential in the second half, thanks to further goals from Niamh Walsh — who contributed 1-2 overall — Hanly, Siofra Hession and Zara Fallon to reach the final where they will play Mercy Mounthawk from Tralee, County Kerry, on April 1st.
The victory comes in the aftermath of a wonderful week in the Convent’s sporting history, during which the school won a first-ever Connacht Senior Rugby League title and an All-Ireland Junior Camogie Championship crown.
CONVENT OF MERCY: Éabha Dowd; Michaela Lohan, Eve McNeill, Anna Hussey; Hannah Murray, Erin McDermott, Lily Murray; Aisling Shanagher (0-1), Ellen Beisty; Ellen Tully, Niamh Walsh (1-2), Shauna Walsh; Siofra Hession (1-1, one free), Aisling Hanly (2-3, one free), Ciara Dowd (0-2, both frees). Subs used: Zara Fallon (1-0) for Shauna Walsh, Jennifer Morris for Dowd, Ava Mulry for Niamh Walsh.
*Reaction to today’s memorable victory in Tuesday’s Roscommon Herald
The Convent of Mercy celebrate following this afternoon’s terrific All-Ireland semi-final triumph in County Fermanagh.
