Schools Association Football International Board (SAFIB)
First Year Girls National Cup Finalists (U14)
Salerno SS, Salthill capture SAFIB Rod Houston Cup
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
MATCH DAY THREE, GAME FIVE
Kilkeel High School, Co. Down 4-1 Caerleon Comprehensive School
The Northern Ireland contingency Kilkeel HS finished their campaign on a high in the final series of games this morning as they saw off the Welsh starlets Caerleon HS in a hugely entertaining encounter in Lilleshall.
NIGEL BROWN AWARD
To add to the celebrations, the accolade for outstanding contribution was made to Kilkeel High School youngster Ella McCAULEY.
MATCH DAY THREE, GAME SIX
Shenfield High School, Essex 1-2 Salerno Secondary School, Salthill
Tilly Carroll (11), Anna Conway (46)
The billing for this crunch encounter was winner takes all, as both teams had two wins from two in the series thus far.
Salerno got the perfect start to proceedings when Tilly CARROLL’S effort went in following a goalkeeping error to lead 1-0 after 11 minutes.
Orna Dunne forced a fabulous save from the Shenfield netminder just before the break as Salerno enjoyed the slender advantage in a tense opening half.
The Galway girls scored midway through the second half when the talented Anna CONWAY netted.
It was a tense conclusion to the game when Shenfield grabbed a vital goal three minutes from time.
However, the superb Salerno defence held on for a fabulous victory in Lilleshall.
It’s the second Galway school to lift the prestigious prize following Presentation College, Athenry’s successes last season. It’s the fourth time in seven years that a Republic of Ireland representative side has won top spot with Carndonagh Community College winning in 2019 and Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny starring in 2017 as Captain Ellen Molloy lifted the Cup.
Salerno impressed throughout the tournament, scoring an incredible 26 goals in three games, only to concede twice.
No doubt the celebrations will be enjoyed in Salthill later in the week as the team jet home this evening.
SALERNO SECONDARY SCHOOL, SALTHILL | Ciara Coyle, Emily Jean Killeen, Amy McCallaig, Niamh McGauran, Grace Coyle, Rachel O’Grady, Danielle Earley, Ava Rose O’Gorman, Amber O’Leary, Emily Watson, Róisín Heinz-Ward, Tilly Carroll, Anna Murphy, Ava Costello, Orna Dunne, Ana Conway
MANAGEMENT STAFF | Conor Killeen, Conor Quinlan, Dan Stephens, Clair Hogan, Abbie Killeen
SUMMARY OF THE PREVIOUS DAYS ACTION
MATCH DAY ONE, GAME ONE
Salerno SS, Salthill 11-0 Caerleon Comprehensive School
Ava Costello (5), Orna Dunne (10, 11, 15, 49), Amber O’Leary (20, 45), Tilly Carroll (36), Aoife Costello (40), Anna Conway (56), Danielle Early (59)
The Galway side had a comprehensive victory over Welsh outfit Caerleon Comprehensive School in the opening game of the SAFIB Rod Houston Cup in Lilleshall this evening (Monday, September 16).
Ava COSTELLO opened their account five minutes in when she converted direct from a corner.
While Orna DUNNE had her hat-trick complete inside the first quarter. The youngster netted Salerno’s second and her first on 10 minutes. The brace was complete a minute later while Dunne grabbed her third on 15 minutes.
Amber O’LEARY netted ten minutes from the interval to make it 5-0 at half-time.
Salthill used their bench in the second period with roll on, off substitutions in operation.
It didn’t take long for the Galway girls to extend their tally to six when Tilly CARROLL converted from close range.
Aoife COSTELLO made it seven with twenty minutes remaining.
While five minutes later Amber O’LEARY got her brace and Salerno’s eight.
Orna DUNNE smashed home a fourth for her individual tally making it 9-0 while Anna CONWAY brought it to double figures with a superb free kick.
Danielle EARLY got in on the action also, scoring an eleventh before the final whistle blew.
MATCH DAY ONE, GAME TWO
Kilkeel High School, Down 1-7 Shenfield High School
Amber K (3), Sophia G (2), Gabby G (1), Marlie L (1)
Newcomers Kilkeel High School from County Down were making their debut in the competition with the first Northern Ireland representatives to take part in this tournament following its inception in 2016.
Unfortunately, the Irish side were outsmarted by an impressive Shenfield High School from Essex.
The English Champions were 3-0 up at the break while an equally strong second half performance saw Shenfield win out 7-1.
MATCH DAY TWO, GAME THREE
Caerleon Comprehensive School 0-5 Shenfield High School, Essex
Amber K, Lilly N, Amelie A, Daisy Mai D, Sophia G
The English scholars continued winning ways in the first outing this morning as they were comfortable winners over the Welsh side Caerleon Comprehensive School.
The home side were three up at the break and added two further goals without reply in the second period.
This means it will be all to play for in the morning when Shenfield take on Republic of Ireland Champions Salerno Secondary School, Salthill for the title.
The Galway girls would love to return home with the trophy as we witnessed Presentation College, Athenry capture the title last year. It would be a phenomenal achievement if the students from Salerno could follow suit. The other game in the tie will see Northern Ireland’s Kilkeel High School play Caerleon Comprehensive School. Both games will kick off at 10.30am.
MATCH DAY TWO, GAME FOUR
Salerno SS, Salthill 13-1 Kilkeel High School, Co. Down
Amber O’Leary (10, 60, 62), Orna Dunne (15, 62), Anna Conway (25, 26, 40, 50, 51, 58), Grace Coyle (35), Tilly Carroll (61)
Another superb display from Salerno saw them notch up an impressive goal tally in the second contest of the morning.
The Connacht crew were four up at the break but the last ten minutes of the game saw them run riot against their Northern counterparts who put in a spirited performance despite the scoreline.
Anna CONWAY grabbed an incredible six goals on the day while Amber O’LEARY completed her hat-trick early in the second half.
Orna DUNNE scored a brace alongside goals from Grace COYLE and Tilly CARROLL late on.
It sets things up nicely for the final round of fixtures tomorrow as winner takes all. The Essex team have been very strong defensively as well as showing their pedigree in front of goal.
Salerno will be hoping they don’t peak too early with their newfound confidence! Killeen and Quinlan will instil a strong belief in their squad that they can take the victory and secure another Irish win. They have showed their outstanding ability over the last two outings so another tough test awaits.
Kilkeel High School and Caerleon Comprehensive School will be playing for pride as the tournament reaches a conclusion before lunch tomorrow.
SAFIB Rod Houston Cup (U14 Girls’ Home Nations Tournament)
Venue | Lilleshall National Sports Centre, Shropshire
Republic of Ireland representatives are Salerno Secondary School, Salthill
RESULTS
Monday, September 16
Salerno SS 11-0 Caerleon CS, Wales KO 4pm
Kilkeel HS, Northern Ireland 1-7 Shenfield HS, England KO 5.15pm
Tuesday, September 17
Caerleon CS 0-5 Shenfield HS, KO 10am
Kilkeel HS 1-13 Salerno SS, KO 11.15am
Wednesday, September 18
Salerno SS 2-1 Shenfield HS, KO 10.30am
Caerleon CS 1-4 Kilkeel HS, KO 10.30am
BACKGROUND
The Cup is named after Mr. Rod Houston. Rod is a retired School teacher and was President of the Scottish Schools FA for many years. He held the position of Treasurer and Secretary of the Schools Association Football International Board (SAFIB) and is honoured to be associated with this competition that promotes girls football to a larger audience. This competition has been in existence since 2016.
ROLL OF HONOUR
2016 | St. Ivo School, Huntington (Runners Up Ursuline College, Sligo)
2017 | Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny
2018 | Bohunt School, Wokingham (Runners Up Sacred Heart School, Westport)
2019 | Carndonagh Community School, Donegal
2020 | NA (COVID-19)
2021 | NA (COVID-19)
2022 | South Hunsley High School (Third Place Presentation College, Athenry)
2023 | Presentation College, Athenry, Galway (Third Place Loreto SS, Kilkenny)
2024 | Salerno Secondary School, Salthill, Galway
