Erne Integrated College 9 Enniskillen Royal Grammar 8

Hope Milligan’s try at the death sealed a memorable Ulster Girls’ School Cup victory for Erne Integrated College over neighbours Enniskillen Royal Grammar School at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast on Tuesday.

A young ERGS side had looked as if they were coming on strong in the latter stages as they came from 8-6 down to make it 8-8 but Milligan’s try right at the end secured the win for Erne Integrated as they made amends for the slender final defeat they suffered at the hands of ERGS two years ago.

Erne Integrated coach Rory Hill was over the moon for his players and full of praise too for the opposition.

“I’m just delighted for the girls. We had six players involved who were involved two years ago and they learnt from that final and that saw us through.

“It was probably a reversal of that final because back then we were the young squad and they were the experienced team but that is the other way around this year with all their players available again next year. It was a really good game,” he said.

Alastair Keys, who is part of the ERGS coaching team alongside Ian Ross and Lucy Thompson felt his side were nervous in the early stages.

“We started nervously and went 4-1 down in the first quarter but the girls then settled down and it was a great final.

“We have a very young squad and I couldn’t have asked any more of the girls,” he said.

A very experienced Integrated side that includes Ireland U18 squad member Sophie Barrett as well as Ulster pair Moya Hill and Cora Balfour, made the brighter start to the contest as they powered into a 4-1 advantage by the end of the first quarter, a lead which gave them the platform to go on the win the game.

The Integrated’s greater physicality caused problems for a lighter ERGS side and Barrett registered two tries while Moya Hill and Kelly Quinn also touched down.

Chloe Moore notched the ERGS try in the first half and they added to that in the second quarter as Scarlett Keys and Niamh Johnston scored as they closed the gap back to two by half time, 6-4. The two Integrated scores during this period came from Molly Quinn and Hill.

The third quarter was keenly contested but by the end of it Integrated maintained their two try advantage.

Barrett and Hill brought their tallies to three apiece with scores for the Integrated with Clare Woods putting in a lot of hard work, while Zara Hutchinson and Johnston touched down for ERGS to leave it 8-6 going into the final quarter.

The pace of ERGS was telling as the contest progressed and scores from Keys and Hutchinson had them back on level terms in the final minute.

However, there was to be one final twist as Milligan drove over at the end to snatch the victory for Erne Integrated.

Erne Both sides now progress to the All Ireland finals on April 6.