Incredible comeback sees County Roscommon school crowned Connacht champions
Sarah Purcell and Síofra Hession celebrate the Convent of Mercy's Connacht Rugby Senior Girls’ School League triumph against Mount Saint Michael Claremorris at the Dexcom Stadium, Galway. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
A County Roscommon school produced a comeback for the ages to win the Connacht Rugby Senior Girls’ School League final at the Dexcom Stadium in Galway on Wednesday.
The Convent of Mercy found themselves 19-5 behind at half time against Mount Saint Michael, Claremorris, but they produced a spectacular second-half comeback to prevail 27-26.
Rachel McDonald’s try salvaged something for the Convent during the opening half, but when McDonald crossed the whitewash again soon after the restart, mission impossible didn’t seem so daunting.
A third Convent try from Anna Murray fuelled momentum, and when captain Sarah Purcell added a fourth try, which was converted by Síofra Hession, the match was turned on its head as the Roscommon Town school catapulted themselves into a 22-19 lead.
Sarah Purcell’s second try of the game gave her team some further breathing space, and even though a converted try from the Claremorris girls reduced the arrears to the bare minimum, the Convent held on for a famous victory.
The management team of Dave Purcell, Michael Glennon and Siobhán Purcell were thrilled with their side’s performance, praising the girls’ never-say-die attitude that turned a 14-point half-time deficit into a one-point victory.
Earlier in the afternoon, the Convent of Mercy junior team were defeated by Sacred Heart Westport, 25-15, in their league final.
CONVENT OF MERCY: Shauna Walsh, Jennifer Morris, Sarah Purcell (captain), Síofra Hession, Eabha Dowd; Rachel McDonald, Rapailla Sisho, Mary Hoare, Isabelle Quinn, Rachel Kilcoyne, Caoimhe Connaughton, Anna Murray, Lily Murray, Emma Haugh, Amy Winston, Megan Donoghue.
