SACRED Heart Secondary School Clonakilty stand on the brink of history as they chase a first-ever treble-double, and they are relishing the challenge.

In a West Cork derby, Sacred Heart face Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí in the Munster Schools Girls Junior Cup final this Friday (1pm) at Virgin Media Park.

The sides know each other well, with Sacred Heart already getting the better of Bantry in last month’s senior decider. The Clon school also beat Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí in last season’s junior final.

Now, they are aiming to complete a third successive double, having secured senior and junior titles in both 2024 and 2025.

‘We’re chasing something that we have never done. A treble-double would be absolutely brilliant for the girls. I have only realised in the last couple of weeks that we are in a golden generation with the crop we have right now,’ coach Jack Phelan told The Southern Star.

‘Four Clonakilty girls represented Ireland U18s during the Easter break. The juniors we have coming through now could very well replicate that same feat. We have all these talented girls coming through. I hope we will finish the season on a high.

‘Win or lose, there are still a lot of big moments in rugby to play after junior.’

Sacred Heart may be on the verge of history, but a tough test awaits.

Clonakilty beat Coláiste na Sceilge (30-7) and Ardscoil Mhuire (30-7) to reach the decider, while Bantry saw off Ursuline Thurles (31-0), Coláiste Mhuire Ennis (31-5) and St Mary’s Mallow (45-5).

‘We also had three or four games in the league in October and November. With this junior competition, there is a real sense of accomplishment. We have had a long road with the juniors, having played those league games and a couple of cup games. That stands to us,’ Phelan said.

‘We know Bantry are very strong. They are going to be up for this. It’s going to be a lot closer than the senior game was. Bantry have an excellent calibre of junior squad.

‘I know their coach Laura O’Sullivan well and she has put in tremendous work. It’s a friendly derby, I would say – two great schools with two great teams.

‘We would have played them in the league a few months ago and only beat them on a first-try rule after finishing level. That shows how tight it was. That was a wet, windy day on the Clonakilty astro, which wasn’t a full-size pitch. I’d imagine conditions will be better at this time of year.’

Sacred Heart are seeing the fruits of their success further afield too.

Four players who walk the school corridors represented Ireland at the U18 Women’s Six Nations Festival in England recently. Julie Finn, Clodagh McCarthy, Jo McCaughey and Lani O’Donovan are an inspiration to the up-and-coming junior side.

‘The four girls came in to school last week with their Irish jerseys along with their caps. That gives a massive boost to the junior squad looking up to them. Clodagh McCarthy, for instance – her sister Caoimhe is playing for our juniors now,’ Phelan explained.

‘It’s amazing for the younger students to see those role models who have represented their country. The students can aspire to be at that level too. It’s a fabulous achievement for the girls and I couldn’t be happier for them.’

To have two local schools contest both senior and junior finals is a major boost for the region. While achieving the treble-double would be monumental for Clonakilty, Phelan is quick to highlight the bigger picture for West Cork girls’ rugby.

‘It would be historic and a phenomenal achievement for us. We’d be delighted to win it, but rugby in West Cork is the real winner. To have all-West Cork finals at senior and junior level, and the calibre of girls here, is brilliant. If we don’t win, I will still be a happy man knowing local rugby is in a great place right now,’ he said.