Replay heartbreak for Laurel Hill Coláiste in All-Ireland semi-final

GOALS from Aolbhín Ní Mhearáln and Poppy Nic Giolla tSeanáin weren't enough as Laurel Hill Coláiste suffered a heartbreaking one-point losing margin defeat to Coláiste Abhainn Rí, of Callan in Kilkenny this Saturday afternoon. 

In Meelick this Allianz All-Ireland Post-Primary Schools Championship 'Senior C' semi-final replay finished Coláiste Abhainn Rí 2-9, Laurel Hill Coláiste 2-8 after both sides were level on five separate occasions. 

The Limerick side were well on top in opening quarter, leading 1-1 to 0-1 midway through the opening half thanks to a superb  Poppy Nic Giolla tSeanáin goal after just four minutes.

The Adare club woman blasted into the top left hand corner of the net after a dazzling run through the Callan defence. 

After securing a 2-08 1-11 draw in Kilkenny two weeks ago, Laurel Hill Coláiste earned the right to host the replay. 

It was the visitors who took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second quarter after three Molly Conroy swung the momentum in the Kilkenny side's favour before Ciara O'Shea drew the sides level. 

However, points from Sarah Ní Fhreaghalle had Laurel Hill ahead once again. 

Elly Holland had Callan level again in the 25th minute after the full forward raised the green flag from close range. 

A late flurry of scores including a goal from Aolbhín Ní Mhearáln had Laurel Hill leading three points - 2-5 to 1-5 at half time. 

However, Callan outscored the Limerick school by 1-4 to 0-3 in the second half to secure the dramatic one point win. 

Aolbhín Ní Mhearáln had  levelled the sides with two minutes to go, but Ava Brett slotted over the deciding point a minute later. 

Coláiste Abhainn Rí, who had scored their second goal when Ciara O'Shea levelled the sides for the fourth time with 10 minutes to go, defended well in the final minutes to secure the one-point victory. 

Coláiste Abhainn Rí now play Gort Community School in the All-Ireland 'Senior C' final. 

SCORERS: Laurel Hill Coláiste: Poppy Nic Giolla tSeanáin 1-3 (two frees); Aolbhín Ní Mhearáln 1-2, Sarah Ní Fhreaghalle 0-2, Laura Southern 0-1. Coláiste Abhainn Rí, Callan: Ciara O'Shea 1-3; Molly Conroy 0-4; Elly Holland 1-0; Aisling O'Sullivan, Ava Brett 0-1 each.