WESLEY College have been denied the chance of adding the Leinster Schools Senior Cup to the league title they won earlier in the season as Loreto, Bray, beat them 2-0 in the semi final at UCD yesterday. Loreto, Bray, had also eliminated the holders Loreto, Dalkey, in the quarter finals.

Wesley dominated the first half with their confident and coordinated play but this all changed early in the second half when Gemma Moore scored from a short corner.

Wesley were stunned and never really recovered. The discipline which had characterised their play in the first half was lost after Moore's goal. They seemed to lose faith in their ability and they were unable to mount any serious challenge.

Mairead Burkery sealed Bray's victory with a goal from a short corner three minutes from the final whistle. The Wesley defence were left standing on their heels.

In the other semi final between Newpark and High School there was none of the excitement of the earlier encounter. A lack of rhythm characterised the match which High School won 1-0.

The anxiousness which usually melts away after a few minutes in these important matches remained throughout the game; passes went astray, frees were wasted and structure was missing.

Newpark had the upper hand during most of the game so it was a surprise when High School scored from a short corner in the middle of the first half. The goal came from an excellently executed short corner, shot by Leah Cauldwell.

Newpark fought hard to bring the game back level. Captain Lisa Benson led from the front and was unlucky not to score from a short corner in the second half.

High School now meet Bray on March 8th at Grange Road and from the evidence of yesterday's matches, Loreto must go into the final as favourites.