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The Provincial crown travelled South on Sunday afternoon (November 13, 2011) following the conclusion of the FAI Schools Girls’ Interprovincial tournament in Athlone:
Under the leadership of Lorraine Counihan of Colaiste Mhuire, Buttevant the girls went into the final game of the series only needing to draw with hosts Connacht to claim the crown:
A three way battle meant that Leinster, Connacht or Munster were all in contention on the final day: A Connacht victory would ensure Leinster the title on goal difference to Connacht following their earlier 5/1 demolition of Ulster in the penultimate game on Sunday morning:
Connacht mentor’s Dom Coll, Seamas Mac Eachmharcaigh and Sean Boland were looking to oust the mighty Munster team in Lissywollen but required an impressive score line if they were to overcome Leinster in the league table:
There was very little between the two sides as the game remained scoreless following 60 minutes of intense football: The two stars of the show were goalkeepers Caoimhe O’Reilly of Our Lady’s Bower Secondary School in Athlone and Roisin Cahillane of Blackwater Community School in Lismore as they pulled off save after save to keep the deadlock and gift Munster the bragging rights:
Munster last won the title in 2008 with Claire Wehrley, St: Flannan’s College, Ennis in the driving seat: That was the provinces fourth consecutive title that year but what followed was a three year drought which was a surprising scenario for the southerners to encounter as Leinster claimed victory in 2009 and Ulster last season:
Munster has finally regained their dominance in this tournament following some marvellous displays from the full panel of 17 players: Their success was in no small measure to the professional preparation of Counihan and her backroom staff of veteran Richard Grimes and Eric Nelligan: The team gelled considerably well and the communication on and off the park was incredible with the side notching up six goals in two games coming into the crunch encounter to Connacht: Their defensive formation was excellent as they didn’t conceal a solidarity goal in the three day event: A wonderful achievement for the province and one that saw them convincing winners this season
Friday, November 11, 2011 (Leah Victoria Park, Tullamore Town FC)
Munster 2/0 Leinster
Megan Connolly (23), Sara McKevitt (44)
Munster picked up full points following the opening game in Tullamore on Friday afternoon:
With Leinster enjoying plenty of possession, the side registered eight clear chances on goal while their counterparts only registered three: The only difference between these two sides was the striking ability of their players:
A goal in each half courtesy from Douglas dynamo Megan Connolly and Thurles’ Sara McKevitt accounted for the celebrations as Munster got the upper hand early on in the three day event:
Leinster would need to take their chances and take advantage of the excellent deliveries from set pieces from Swords student Megan Lynch if they were to develop further in the tournament:
Ulster 1/3 Connacht
Roma McLoughlin (26), Mary Corcoran (23), Rachael Fitzmaurice (33), (52)
Mary Corcoran was gifted a peach of a goal following a handling error from the Ulster netminder to give Connacht a great start to their campaign:
The Ulster girls were well up for the challenge and equalised three minutes later from Moville’s Roma McLaughlin
Jerry Casey’s charges were denied minutes later as McLaughlin’s effort nicked the crossbar much to the relief of the Connacht contingency:
The Connacht side came to life in the second period as they upped the tempo on proceedings:
Two goals from Roscommon’s Rachael Fitzmaurice were enough to see off the Ulster assault with Dom Coll’s girls in a great position as day 2 of the competition approached:
Saturday, November 12, 2011 (Leah Victoria Park, Tullamore Town FC)
Leinster 3/0 Connacht
Megan Lynch (7), Eleanor Ryan Doyle (15), Kirtsy Maher (34)
The Leinster ladies notched up a trio of goals to overcome the Connacht crew as Megan Lynch scored a magical goal with only 7 minutes on the clock: The bitter disappointed of not scoring in Leinster’s previous game prayed heavy on the mind of Howard as he urged his side to press forward at every opportunity:
Connacht’s previous form was to hold them in good stead as Coll was adamant that they could make a convincing comeback: However it was Leinster that enjoyed much of the possession and more importantly made the most of their chances in front of goal:
Lynch supplied Doyle on the quarter hour mark with a great ball from midfield and the Lucan lass didn’t need a second attempt as she slotted past O’Reilly for Leinster’s second of the afternoon:
With ten minutes to half time, the game came alive for Leinster: Olivia Flanagan, Shianne Swarres and Chloe Murphy all combined well in a great piece of attacking play but a very brave and determined O’Reilly halted their advancement as she got down well to block the stinging effort of Swarres:
The Kells kingpin Swarres was denied by the woodwork seconds later following a set piece from Bray’s Olivia Flanagan:
Kilkenny’s Kirsty Maher was on hand to register the third for Howard’s side shortly after the interval as Dom Coll’s charges were shell/shocked with their display:
Ulster 0/4 Munster
Chloe Kirwain (25), Sara McKevitt (37), Megan Connolly (39, 43) (2 Pens)
It took 25 minutes for Munster to register their first in a game that was closely contested up until this: Ulster started the game the better with some solid displays from Eimear Reddin, Roma McLaughlin, Shannon Hyland and Sarah Jane McDonald:
The goal came courtesy of a splendid ball from the lively Sara McKevitt to fed Chloe Kirwain in space: The young Roscrea native set about deceiving the defence with her spiralling run through the back four resulting in a cracking effort off her right peg: The ball crashing to the bottom of the net to the rapturous applause of their travelling supporters
Following the interval, Ulster’s keeper Aimee Casey pulled off a marvellous save to deny the Thurles tornado McKevitt as she sent an explosive ball into the top corner: Casey was definitely at her best during this purple patch for Munster:
The southerners continued to apply the pressure as Chloe Kirwain turned supplier to Sara McKevitt as she sent the ball past the diving Casey on 37 minutes: 2/0 to the mighty Munster
The following two Munster goals came courtesy of the influential Christ the King pupil Megan Connolly: The Douglas star was fouled inside the box on both occasions and slotted home with ease on 39 and 43 minutes to register a commanding lead on proceedings:
Ulster just couldn’t find their form as the final ball deceived the forward pairing of Hyland and McGonagle in a highly entertaining encounter:
Sunday, November 13, 2011 (Athlone Town FC)
The final series of games left Leinster and Connacht with a slight chance of crowning glory as they were joint second on the league table with 2 points each: Munster however were in the dominate position as they notched up four points following two wins:
Munster needed to concede the points in their final game to give any hope to Connacht and Leinster as the penultimate game of the morning kicked off which saw a depleted Ulster up against a determined Leinster side:
Ulster 1/5 Leinster
Shannon McBride Megan Lynch, Shianne Swarres, Jenny Clifford, Courtney Higgins, Eleanor Ryan Doyle
Jerry Casey’s girls would relinquish their title this year following a disappointing display this season but they were adamant that they would continue to challenge the Leinster ladies in their final game following convincing defeats to Connacht and Munster previously:
Howard was in contention for provincial honours if Munster were to slip up against Connacht in their final game so he wanted to ensure a commanding performance from his team if this scenario were to ensue
The Leinster side didn’t waste any time in registering their scoring prowess as Lynch, Swarres and Clifford registered well executed goals in the first half followed by a cracking goal from Courtney Higgins in the second half before Shannon McBride registered Ulster’s solidarity goal to make to 4/1 with twenty minutes to go:
Eleanor Ryan Doyle finished off proceedings for Leinster with the teams fifth goal: Leinster had to rely on Connacht upsetting the odds in the final game of the series to gift them the title on goal difference:
Connacht 0/0 Munster
Munster only needed a draw in this final game as a Connacht victory would only see Leinster lift the trophy following their demolition of Ulster earlier on that morning: A 5/1 thriller previously, meant a mammoth task for Dom Coll’s team:
Dom Coll was without the services of youngster Aoife Connolly in the final game of the series after the Our Lady’s Bower Secondary School student picked up an injury in the previous game against Leinster:
Counihan was clear in her instructions as she rallied her troops forward at every opportunity: The team weren’t going to sit back and play for the draw as Connacht enjoyed much of the possession early on:
The game was very open and both goalkeepers were playing a pivotal role in their sides successes:
Roisin Jacob and Evvie Lowndes were denied twice with some brave goalkeeping from Lismore’s Roisin Cahillane, meant she kept her team in contention:
Likewise Caoimhe O’Reilly was on hand to deny Lydia Looney, Megan Dennehy and Sara McKevitt on more than one occasion:
Rachael Fitzmaurice was deemed offside on 50 minutes as Mary Corcoran played an inch perfect pass to her that was sure to register the first for Connacht:
Munster Captain Megan Connolly lead by example and covered a massive amount of space on the park as the clear message was to close down the Connacht attack from deep within their half:
Chloe Kirwain was very solid throughout and assisted well by Aisling Regan and Amy McCormack:
Dominican College student Aoife Walshe asserted her dominance in defence on a number of occasions as she bravely blocked a number of attacking opportunities
Danielle Caldwell and Roisin Jacob combined well with Rachael Fitzmaurice with only eight minutes remaining: Their combination play saw a stunning strike from Fitzmaurice but yet again O’Reilly was on hand to palm the ball wide:
Sara McKevitt was lively upfront but a man marking mission halted her advances on goal especially in the second half:
As the time ticked down, it was Munster who enjoyed the benefits of the scoreless draw leaving the mighty Munster successful on 5 points, Leinster second with 4, Connacht third on 3 and Ulster failing to register a point:
The tournament was a great success with many of the girls displaying a high standard of footballing ability: As well as provincial honours, the tournament is used as the process for International selection so an assortment of players from Munster, Connacht, Ulster and Leinster will be invited for trial following the event:
The International management team of Jason Carey (St: MacDara’s Templeogue) and Richelle O’Neill (Colaiste Choilm, Tullamore) will now prepare their selection in advance of the International Bob Docherty tournament which the Republic of Ireland will host in Dublin from April 2 to 5, 2012:
Congratulations to all sixty eight players represented at Interprovincial level and best of luck to the International team for next season:
PROVINCIAL PANELS:
CONNACHT: Caoimhe O’Reilly (Our Lady’s Bower SS, Athlone), Aoife Walshe (Dominican College, Taylor’s Hill), Ailbhe O’Regan (Colaiste na Coirbe), Danielle Caldwell (Davitt College, Castlebar), Eleanor Stafford (Seamount College, Kinvara), Roisin Jacob (Calasanctius College, Oranmore), Evvie Lowndes (Colaiste Iognaid), Katie Melly (Mercy College, Sligo), Dearbháile Beirne (Mohill Community College), Mary Corcoran (Sacred Heart School, Westport), Grainne Egan (Ursuline College, Sligo), Rachael Fitzmaurice (Scoil Muire gan Smal, Convent of Mercy), Meadhbh Kenneally (Ursuline College, Sligo), Aoife Connolly (Our Lady’s Bower SS, Athlone), Rebecca Rooney (Calasanctius College, Oranmore), Kelly Dunleavy (Jesus & Mary SS, Salerno SS, Galway), Anesi Igunma (Dominican College, Taylor’s Hill)
Management: Dom Coll, Head Coach (Presentation College, Athenry), Seamus Mac Eachmharcaigh, Coach (Sacred Heart School, Westport), Sean Boland, Coach and Sarah Farragher (both Scoil Muire gan Smal, Convent of Mercy)
ULSTER: Aimee Casey (Crana College, Buncrana), Saorla McGarrigle (Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny), Shannon Devlin (Crana College, Buncrana), Stacey Doherty (Moville Community College), Sarah Jane McDonald (Moville Community College), Eimear Reddin (Moville CC), Aine Breslin (Moville CC), Nicole McDermott (Moville CC), Roma McLaughlin (Moville CC), Alison McGonagle (Crana College, Buncrana), Shannon Hyland (Breifne College, Cavan), Lauren McElwaine (Loreto Community School, Milford), Zoe McGlynn (Deele College, Raphoe), Nicole Gordon (Carndonagh Community School), Hannah Duggan (Loreto College, Cavan), Shannon McBride (Loreto Community School, Milford), Michaella Gaffney (Loreto College, Cavan)
Management: Jerry Casey (Crana College), Nakita Burke (Errigal College, Letterkenny), Bridgeen Harley (Bailieborough Community School, Cavan)
MUNSTER: Roisin Cahillane (Blackwater Community School, Lismore), Aisling Regan (St: Mary’s Secondary School, Newport), Amy O’Lehane (Glanmire Community College), Amy McCormack (Laurel Hill Secondary School, Limerick) Chloe Kirwain (Colaiste Phobal, Roscrea), Ciara Nevin (Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollig), Evelyn Daly (Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Blarney), Jessica Glavin (Blackwater Community School), Lydia Looney (Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollig), Megan Dennehy (Christ King Girls Secondary School), Megan Connolly (Christ King Girls Secondary School), Rebecca Noonan (St: Mary’s Secondary School, Charleville), Sarah Connolly (Colaiste an Chraoibhin, Cork), Sara McKevitt (Presentation Secondary School, Thurles), Savannah McCarthy (Presentation Secondary School, Listowel), Christine Coffey (Presentation Thurles), Zoe Power (Abbey Community School, Ferrybank)
Management: Lorraine Counihan (Colaiste Mhuire, Buttevant), Claire Wehrley (St: Flannan’s College, Ennis) Richard Grimes (St: Caimin’s CS, Shannon), Eric Nelligan (St: Munchin’s College, Limerick), Caroline Counihan and Janet Hughes O’Connell
LEINSTER: Lucy Ashmore (St: Gerard’s School, Bray), Keeva Keenan (St: Michael’s Secondary School, Finglas), Lauren Keely (St: Wolstan’s Community College, Celebridge), Sophie Gleeson (Alexandra College, Milltown), Hayley R Nolan (St: Mary’s Community School, Naas), Eleanor Ryan Doyle (St: Joseph’s College, Lucan), Chloe Murphy (Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole), Kirsty Maher (Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny), Emma Byrne (Jesus & Mary College, Our Lady’s Grove), Megan Lynch (St: Finian’s Community College, Swords), Jessica Gargan (St: Finian’s Community College, Swords), Jamie Finn (St: Finian’s Community College, Swords), Jenny Clifford (Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny), Olivia Flanagan (St: Gerard’s School, Bray), Shianne Swarres (Eureka Secondary School, Kells), Brooke Dunne (Holy Family Secondary School, Newbridge), Courtney Higgins (Colaiste Dhulaigh Post Primary School, Coolock)
Management: Paul Howard (Loreto College, Crumlin), Alistair Harvey (St: Kilian’s DSD, Clonskeagh), Cerrie Byrne (Ardgillan Community College)
Friday, November 11, 2011 (Leah Victoria Park, Tullamore Town FC)
Munster 2/0 Leinster (Megan Connolly, Sarah McKevitt)
Ulster 1/3 Connacht (Roma McLoughlin, Mary Corcoran, Rachael Fitzmaurice)
Saturday, November 12, 2011 (Leah Victoria Park, Tullamore Town FC)
Leinster 3/0 Connacht (Megan Lynch, Eleanor Ryan Doyle, Kirtsy Maher)
Ulster 0/4 Munster (Chloe Kirwain, Sara McKevitt, Megan Connolly (2 Pens))
Sunday, November 13, 2011 (Athlone Town FC)
Ulster 1/5 Leinster (Megan Lynch, Shianne Swarres, Jenny Clifford, Courtney Higgins, Eleanor Ryan Doyle and Shannon McBride, Ulster)
Connacht 0/0 Munster
Points: Munster 5, Leinster 4, Connacht 4, Ulster 0
BOB DOCHETY TOURNAMENT (Girls International)
April 2 to 5, 2012 in the AUL Complex, Dublin
IMAGES courtesy of Emma Martin, FAI
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