Terenure get first Junior Cup win

Two goals from Aoife O'Donnell helped Our Lady's Terenure to their first Irish Junior Cup success on Saturday, when they beat Cork's Church of Ireland II 3-1 in the final at Belfield.

The forward gave the Dublin side the lead after 19 minutes and their advantage was extended seven minutes later by 18-year-old winger Aoife Mitchell. Terenure were 3-0 up midway through the second half when O'Donnell doubled her tally. Claire Lawson touched home a Lisa Ryan free in the last minute for Church of Ireland's consolation score.

But for a marvellous display in the Terenure goal by Gwen McDonnell, whose alertness and agility denied the Munster side on several occasions, the margin would have been narrower.

Colette Mannix and Claire Fennelly led Church of Ireland's second half fightback when they forced a string of short corners, but Terenure defended bravely, with captain Mary Weakliam, Ann Marie O'Neill and Fiona Power producing superb individual displays.

Meanwhile, at Serpentine Avenue, an extra time goal from Railway Union II's Sinead McKenna sent Maids down to Intermediate A in the Senior B relegation playoff. Old Alexandra II will take their place in the division next season. On the international front, senior coach Riet Kuper has named her 20-player squad for the training weekend in Wales at the end of the month. Not included is Hermes' right-back Carol Devine, who has withdrawn due to work commitments. Linda Caulfield (Trinity), Pamela Magill (Pegasus) and Jill Orbinson (Portadown) are the only uncapped players to make the squad. Ballymoney's Lynsey McVicker returns to senior duty after an 18-month absence.

Clodagh Grealy, Aoife Falvey, Shauna Parkhill, Claire Redpath and Laura Brown miss out on selection. Kuper will reduce the squad to 16 after the Cardiff trip in time for next month's Four Nations' tournament at Belfield.