THIRD time proved the charm for Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí as they finally got their hands on the Munster Schools Girls Junior Cup.

Having lost the previous two finals to Sacred Heart Clonakilty, this was the Bantry school’s moment as they dethroned the champions with a deserved 15-12 triumph at Virgin Media Park.

‘This is very special,’ coach Laura O’Sullivan beamed.

‘This is our third year playing Clonakilty in the final and they had won the previous two. We felt that this year might be ours – the girls were really focused, were training hard and putting everything in.

‘It’s brilliant to finally win this.’

Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí made the perfect start when Libby Hicks – a first-year student – crossed the line in the fourth minute for an unconverted try.

Beibhinn Brennan, Aoife O'Mahony and Grace Cronin celebrate the Bantry school's triumph. (Photo: Tom Maher/INPHO)

That early advantage was extended to 8-0 by half-time after Zoe Hicks, Libby’s older sister, slotted over a penalty.

But Sacred Heart showed exactly why the Clonakilty school has dominated girls’ rugby in the province in recent years when they hit back with two tries in the second half. Scores from Caoimhe McCarthy and Jenny O’Donnell pushed Sacred Heart into a 12-8 lead with ten minutes remaining.

The Bantry side needed a response – and they found one. Led by captain Grace Cronin, who was also named player of the match, they dug deep and found another gear.

‘There is huge character and huge resilience in this team, and there was a huge drive to get over the line this time,’ O’Sullivan explained.

‘Even with our senior team in their final with Sacred Heart, they never dropped their heads even when they were losing. There’s a strong spirit in all these players.

‘The group really came together this season. We had lost the last two finals but, rather than that being a negative, it really galvanised them. They were very resilient in how they approached this season. Instead, they had a target.’

Captain Grace Cronin celebrates with her parents David and Melissa. (Photo: Tom Maher/INPHO)

With just five minutes remaining, Libby Hicks struck again, crossing for her second try to edge Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí back in front. Zoe Hicks added the crucial conversion.

Moments later, the final whistle confirmed a famous victory – and a milestone moment for girls’ rugby in the school.

Having come up short in both senior and junior finals in recent years, Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí finally have the silverware their efforts deserve – and a platform to build on.

Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí's Zoe Hicks is challenged by Caoimhe McCarthy of Sacred Heart. (Photo: Tom Maher/INPHO)

‘I am so proud of these girls,’ O’Sullivan said.

‘This is a really big moment for the players, the school and for Bantry Bay Rugby Club.

‘We’ve had huge success in girls’ sport in the school this year. We’ve won the junior and senior Munster football, there has been great success in girls’ basketball, and now we have this.

‘It’s very empowering for the girls to be out there winning and being role models for the younger students.

‘For rugby in the school, we will have players stepping into the senior side, so that’s exciting because now we have players who know what it’s like to win with the school and they can bring that experience.

‘It means then that there will be opportunities for new girls to come through and play with the junior team.’

It’s onwards and upwards for the Bantry school.

Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí: Isabella Wood; Grace Holland, Grace Keane, Niamh O’Sullivan, Madison (Maddie) Hodnett; Zoe Hicks, Grace Cronin; Eabha Lynch, Aoife O’ Mahony, Laura Pinillos; Libby Hicks, Saoirse Cooke; Hailey Hegarty, Beibhinn Brennan; Gracie O’Connor.

Replacements: Alice O’Donovan, Raya O’Donovan, Erin O’Leary Andrews, Áine Courcey, Carlota Candil Martin, Lily O’Sullivan, Ella Cronin, Caitlin O’Mahony.

Sacred Heart Clonakilty: Aoife Walsh; Jenny O’Donnell, Ella Haughney, Siún McCarthy, Sadbh Hart; Lara Twomey, Matilda O’Donovan, Róisín O Brien, Lucy McCarthy, Lily Allman; Emily Williamson, Molly Deegan; Emer O’Connor, Caoimhe McCarthy, Isabelle Marie Aherne.

Replacements: Lauren Murphy, Sally McAuley, Faye Knowles, Leah Ni Dhonnabhain, Elena Harrington, Thea Bell, Jane Walsh, Ciara Coakley, Mimi Ndebele, Juliet Gresham.