Concern Debates
The Ursuline had an incredible win in the Concern Debates Quarter-Final held in Cork on Tuesday evening, 24 March. The team of Lily Murphy, Sixth Year and Fifth Years Lily Marchand, Éabha Cahill and Trudy Wilson opposed the motion ‘Artificial Intelligence is a force for Global Good’against Mount St Michael Secondary School, Rosscarbery. It was a great encounter that pushed the girls to their absolute best. The arguments set out by both teams were sharp, well-researched, and delivered with real confidence and respect. UCT is delighted that the girls have come out on top and will now progress to the All-Ireland Semi-Final stage for the third year in a row. Out of 180 schools who started Concern Debates at the beginning of this year the Ursuline is now down to the final four. A huge thank you Ms Downey for mentoring the team and to the organisers of Concern Worldwide Debates Programme for such an amazing experience.
Hockey : Congratulations to the Ursuline Junior A and Minor A teams who were crowned Munster Cup Champions last week.
Junior A Hockey
The Junior A match, played in Rockwell on Thursday, 26 March saw Ursuline face off a strong Crescent side. The game was tense from the start with both teams battling hard. Themidfield worked tirelessly, with Lorna Ryan setting the tone early, while Aoife Fanning and Sarah Spain were outstanding in defence. The breakthrough came in the third quarter with a brilliant solo goal from Emma McDonald, who added a second soon after, with great team play finish by EadaoinCarroll. Crescent responded, leaving the game 2–1 going into the final quarter. The UCT girls showed incredible composure under pressure, with key defensive moments and a crucial line clearance from Leah O’Connell. In the final minutes, Emma McDonald set up Anna Doyle to seal the win with a third goal. This was a fantastic win for a group who have worked tirelessly all year. Thanks to their coach Ms Cregan and the team on bringing the Junior A Cup title back to the school.
Minor A Hockey
The following day, Friday, 27 March the Ursuline Minor Asfollowed in the success of the Junior As to secure a Cup win in their Munster competition. They beat Bandon Grammar 1-0 in a fiercely contested game in Bandon. It was thrilling from start to finish, with Shona Murray scoring the winning goal late in the third quarter. The girls showed incredible determination and composure to seal the victory, with standout performances across the pitch, securing Ursuline’s third Munster title in a row at this level. Captain Lily Maxwell proudly accepted the Cup on behalf of the team. Many club teams were represented throughout the squad on the day, including Cashel New Inn, Clonmel, Thurles, Catholic Institute and Laois Hockey Clubs. The team now progress to represent Munster in the June Smith All-Ireland Hockey Championship which will be held in Loreto Kilkenny on 16 April. Well done to them and their coach Ms Barlow.
Minor C2 Hockey
Congratulations to the Minor UCT2 team on their 1-0 win lastweek in a very tough battle against St Mary’s, Newport. The teams were separated by the narrowest of margins, thanks to a great goal scored by Patrice Quirke. There was some excellent play throughout the pitch from all players. This team now progress to the League Final and thanks to their coach Ms Kearney.
Senior A Hockey Shield Final
There was a huge win for UCT on Tuesday, 23 March with a 1-0 victory over St Angela’s one of their toughest, most hard-fought matches of the year . Captains Chloe Hourigan and Grace Forde led from the front, showing true leadership and determination throughout. Emily Creagh was outstanding at centre back, calm, composed and letting nothing past her. In midfield, Ailbhe Hally put in a powerful performance and scored an absolute cracker—a reverse sweep into the net that proved to be the difference on the day. A special mention to the three Sixth Years for their unwavering commitment and dedication to the team and to their coach Ms Fahey.
Ursuline are Knights of St Columbanus Public Speaking Munster Finalists
to the three TY students, Anna Keane, Eleanor Kiernan and Amy Reidy who won the Munster Final of the Knights of St Columbanus Public Speaking Competition. They represented Munster in the All Ireland Final of the competition on Friday, 27 March. Thanks to their mentor Ms O’Regan who worked with the girls in preparation for their Munster National Finals.
Charities Committee
A huge well done to all the students of the Ursuline Charities Committee for raising a generous amount of €1000 for Thurles Lions Club after a successful Lá Glas day in which the whole school wore green in honour of Seachtaine naGaelige and St Patrick’s Day. Many thanks to the Fifth and Sixth Year Committee members on their charitable fund-raising activities throughout the year.
LGFA
A great win for the Ursuline Senior Footballers who competed last week in the County A Semi-Final against Presentation Thurles. The team started well with a goal from Sophie Moynihan and points from Kate Dowling and CaoimheStakelum. Lorna Ryan and Ruth Maher were excellent during this time in keeping the opposition at bay. Presentation came back into the game until UCT got further points from Alice Butler, Caoimhe Stakelum and Claire Fitzgerald. Ursuline started the second half with a point from Ciara Collins. The game was end to end and with ten minutes remaining Claire Fitzgerald raised the green flag. Louise McGrath then added a further point to secure victory. There were many impressive performances especially from Orla Gleeson and Zara Cosgrove. Ursuline will now go on to play Loreto Clonmel in the County Schools Final after Easter.
Rugby
Ursuline Thurles secured their first every Rugby silverware last week with the winning of the U16 Munster Junior Shield beating Cobh. The team travelled to Musgrave Park full of confidence after recent victories against Fethard and Pallaskenry in the Quarter and Semi-Finals stages. Cobh struck first with a well worked try but UCT quickly found their rhythm with Captain Sophie Wallace leading by example and backed up by the fantastic work rate of Áine O’Neill. Approaching half time Ursuline had a 17-12 lead courtesy of tries from Sophie O Dwyer, Áine O Neill and Pia Tyndall but then Cobh struck back with a well worked try of their own to leave the score 19-17 in favour of the Cork contenders at the interval.
The second half was where Ursuline determination and resolve shone through. The girls put together some excellent attack play and really came into their own with tries from Abi Callanan, Grace Deegan and Sophie O Dwyer putting the Tipp side in the driving seat 36-24 with less than ten minutes remaining. A well converted penalty kick from Ruby Russell, who was ultra-consistent off the tee, all but sealed the result. Despite a late rally by Cobh the deficit was too much for them to overcome with Ursuline running out 39-29 winners at the final whistle. After the initial celebrations, Sophie Wallace accepted both the well-deserved Girl of the Game award and the Shield on behalf of the team. All the girls played fantastic rugby and worked well as a team. It was especially great to see so many new players who only started Rugby in September excelling on such a big occasion. Thanks must be given to Munster Rugby for the excellent facilities and officiating, Coláiste Mhuire Cobh for an excellent contest, Mr Corbett for his coaching all year and all the parents and family who travelled to support the girls on the day.