CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Nora (Josie) Harty; Mary Ellen Daly; Christina Casey and Rita Johnson I PICTURES: Brendan Gleeson
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05 Mar 2026
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05 Mar 2026
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Sacred Heart School from Westport defeated Our Lady's Grammar School from Newry in Longford.
LGFA SCHOOLS ALL-IRELAND JUNIOR A SEMI-FINAL
Sacred Heart Westport 3-11
Our Lady's Newry 3-9
In Longford
ONE of the finest schools games in quite some time ended in scenes of wild Mayo joy this afternoon in Longford after a talented, resilient, brave Sacred Heart side booked their ticket to the All-Ireland final.
There were times in this thriller when a lesser team would have faded away and left the game behind them, but not this band of sisters.
The Westport students dug in, refused to be beaten and eventually fought their way to a memorable win in front of a large and vocal following from Clew Bay.
They started well and goals from Katie Hughes and Saoirse Reynolds had them seven clear early on, but Newry were a top class opposition and with hugely talented centre-half-forward Lily McBennett to the fore they roared back into it and were three points up at half time.
Sacred Heart were being asked serious questions and they answered them brilliantly.
They dug in and with Aoibhinn McNamara, Emma Conway, Roisin Malone, Clara Kennedy, Emma McGing and their colleagues driving forward they drew level and edged a point ahead midway through the second half.
Defensively, Sacred Heart were outstanding and the Mayo girls had a chance to go four clear ten minutes from the end, but Saoirse Reynolds' penalty was saved by excellent Newry goalkeeper Rose McCartan.
That set up a heart-stopping finale and when Clodagh O'Donnell goaled to put Newry two up in the dying minutes it seemed all over for the West Mayo girls, but they refused to die.
Time and time again they drove forward and when McNamara sent Reynolds through for a goal they were back in front.
McBennett tried to keep Newry in the hunt, but Sacred Heart were not for turning and when McNamara kicked her side two clear in injury time the celebrations were about to begin.
A full report and after-match reaction with team manager Clodagh McManamon will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.
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