BY DAMIEN DONNELLY

BALLYGAWLEY St Ciaran's have a key All-Ireland U-16 A Ladies Schools semi-final today(Thursday) in Galway against Killorglin from Kerry (2.00pm).

Padraig Pearse Park in Woodmount, Ballinasloe, is the location for a tie that pairs two sides fresh from their respective Provincial title successes.

St Ciaran's girls are feeling positive after their recent Ulster final triumph over Inver College from Carrickmacross but they know that their Kerry opponents will not be easily denied.

Intermediate State School, Killorglin, is the hurdle blocking St Ciaran's from progressing through to the All-Ireland showpiece in April. But the Ballygawley team have shown the sort of steel and skill so far that suggests they can pose their Kerry counterparts some serious questions.

St Ciaran's managers Maria Curran and Pauline Murphy have worked hard with the squad over the past number of months and the Ulster victory was especially sweet.

The new focus, though, is now firmly turned on the All-Ireland series and the significance of this is not lost on Maria Curran.

'' The girls played really well to first win a tight Tyrone section and then a competitive Ulster competition, experience that will hopefully stand them in good stead for the Killorglin game.

Crown

'' It is important to point out that St Ciaran's U-16 girls did not get the chance to play in the All-Ireland semi-final when the school last won the Ulster crown in 2001 due to the foot-and-mouth scare.

'' That was frustrating at the time and it has taken the school six years to get back to the same stage of the championship.

'' That's why it is even more special now to have the opportunity to play in the All-Ireland phase and fingers crossed we can make the best of it.

'' Winning Ulster was a major boost but we will strive to take things further if we possibly can.

'' We realise it is a tough assignment to be meeting a team from Kerry but every single St Ciaran's girl is committed to giving this game one hundred per cent effort.

'' That sort of approach and attitude is very encouraging as the camp prepares to set off for Galway'', stressed the St Ciaran's teacher.

Led by captain Nicola McAnenly, the St Ciaran's girls aim to make it a day to remember out West, with the super bonus prize of an All-Ireland final place waiting in the wings.