SACRED HEART SCHOOL, WESTPORT…………………………………………………………………………….1
Jenny Chambers 66
COLÁISTE NA TRÓCAIRE, RATHKEALE…………….…………………………………………………………2
Eadaoin Lyons 42, Phoenix Mulcaire Shire 61
Rathkeale’s Coláiste na Trócaire were crowned Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Senior Girls Cup Champions in Home Farm FC last Tuesday following a magnificent display against Westport outfit Sacred Heart School.
The Rathkeale ladies only started playing soccer in the school in 2014, yet they reached their first FAI Schools National Cup Final a year later under the stewardship of PE teacher Killian Phair. Coláiste na Trócaire narrowly lost that encounter to Convent of Mercy, Roscommon in the Junior Cup decider, a Gráinne Whyte goal the deciding factor! A lot of the girls on the squad that afternoon were lining out again in Tuesday’s final with Connacht opposition.
This Valentine’s Day special was sure to stir up some heartache and unfortunately it was Sacred Heart School, Westport that came out second best in this finale.
A superb brace of goals in the second period ensured a smooth transit for the Rathkeale contingency but they didn’t have it all their own way as Westport’s determination ensured a tense affair at the end.
The half time team talk worked wonders as the Limerick side scored two minutes in, Joint Captain Eadaoin Lyons with a brilliantly timed effort that saw the ball rebound and past keeper Michelle Treacy for the game’s opener.
Their lead was doubled just after the hour mark as the pacy Phoenix Mulcaire Shire netted a peach to give Phair’s crew some breathing space.
The reprieve was short-lived as the talented Jenny Chambers grabbed a lifeline for Westport with her classy effort five minutes later.
Rathkeale were smart in their endeavours forward and ensured a strong defence to keep McNulty, Nugent and Chambers at bay.
An historic moment for the school as they captured their first FAI Schools title in empathic style. To add icing on the cake, joint captain and goal-scorer Eadaoin Lyons was named Bank of Ireland Player of the Match for her heroic accomplishments on the park. A day to remember for Coláiste na Trócaire.
Coláiste Na Trócaire, Rathkeale: Noirin Lenihan, Sarah Fitzgerald, Rachael Anderson, Kate Geary (Joint Captain), Siobhan Tangney, Tara Coleman, Eadaoin Lyons (Joint Captain), Claire Gohery, Phoenix Mulcaire Shire, Anna Shanagher, Grace Mullane
Subs: Joanne Foley for Mullane (80), Orla O’Doherty for Mulcaire Shire (73), Maeve Power, Aine Tangney, Anna Mullane. Amy Harnett, Ciara Houlihan (GK), Valerie Sheehy, Sophie Alymer, Hannah Moran, Molly O’Connor, Ciara O’Connor, Chloe Mullins
Sacred Heart School, Westport: Michelle Treacy, Ellie Dillane, Feena McManamon, Aisling McNulty, Ann Sheridan, Leah Moran, Saoirse Ludden (Captain), Megan Nugent, Jennifer Chambers, Tara McNulty, Megan Dever
Subs: Ciara Moran for Dever (62), Ava Lambert for Sheridan (65), Róisín Carney, Emma Gibbons, Sarah Forrestal, Sherin El Massry, Lucy Wallace
Referee: Deirdre Nolan, Dublin.