Kate Russell: Schoolgirls All Ireland Championship

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We caught up with the 2026 Irish Hockey Schoolgirls All Ireland Championship at College Hill on Thursday and Friday of last week.

The Championship consisted of two pools of four teams who played in round robin format with the top team from each group playing in the Kate Russell Final. The second placed teams in each group played off in the Daphne Hall Final.

Daisy Nicholson in action for Armagh

The two Ulster sides, Royal School Armagh and Banbridge Academy were in different pools but both teams played their fixtures at College Hill which meant I was able to cover all their games.

After four unprecedentedly successful seasons, hosts, and current Ulster Champions, Royal School Armagh were the strong favourites in Pool A. They quickly got over an opening game setback of a draw against Holy Child Killiney with a resounding win against Crescent College in their second game. This left them needing a win on . . .

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