ONLY two points separated the top four teams at the end of the All-Ireland schools' hockey finals in Thurles yesterday but it was Enniskillen Collegiate, making their first ever appearance in the tournament, who pipped schools from Thurles, Wexford and Dublin to win the Kate Russell trophy.

Enniskillen began the second day of the tournament with a nil-nil draw against Loreto, Wexford before a 1-0 win over Dublin's Muckross Park, courtesy of a fifth minute goal from Leanne Woods, gave them victory in their final match.

Loreto went into their last tie needing to beat holders Ursuline, Thurles, if they were to finish ahead of the Ulster champions; but the Wexford team went down to a one-nil defeat.

The goal that ended their hopes, and helped Thurles to a second place finish, came after 20 minutes when Phillipa Lynch fired home from the edge of the circle after a Suzanne Costello shot from a short corner was saved.

Loreto, for whom Linda Caulfield was outstanding, worked tirelessly to get back into the match, but Thurles held on and their victory left Enniskillen All-Ireland champions.