Rainey girls finish third at all-Irelands

HOCKEY: Rainey Endowed had to settle for bronze at the all-Ireland schoolgirls’ championship in Kilkenny yesterday.

The Belfast Telegraph Ulster Senior Cup holders, who had been in pole position overnight, lost both their matches, going down 2-0 to Dublin side Loreto Foxrock and 3-1 to Munster’s Mount Mercy.

However, team coach Carolyn Burns was proud of her girls’ efforts against strong opposition as host team Kilkenny College lifted the Kate Russell Cup.

She said: “If I’d been told at the start of the season we’d be first in Ulster and third in Ireland, I’d have taken it, but our lack of experience at this level probably cost us.”

Alex Burns, Carolyn’s daughter, scored against Mount Mercy as Rainey pipped the Cork side to third place on goal difference.