Presentation Secondary School, Thurles 4-0 Sacred Heart School, Westport
Casey Hennessy (20, 28, 45) Lauren McCormack (58)
THE THURLES THUNDERS advance to their second National Cup Final in the space of a week when they defeated Westport’s Sacred Heart School in this afternoon’s exhilarating tie in Athlone IT.
Casey Hennessy walked away with the match ball following a stunning performance from the youngster. A definite star for the future as her work rate throughout the game was exceptional.
The score-line was slightly flattering to Edel Harding’s charges but the girls took their chances well and that was the difference on the day.
Brian Regan’s squad were missing the experienced U17 International Rachel Baynes from the starting line up as an injury ruled her out of selection. Likewise, Harding was without the services of her left back Anna Gavin who is out with a broken collar bone.
Following a tense start to proceedings, the game sparked to life 20 minutes in when Casey Hennessy rifled the ball into the top corner for a superb opener to the contest. Eight minutes later, Hennessy was again on target following a penetrating run through the heart of the Westport defense to slot past Treacy in goal.
Mary Burke and Katie Ryan were ever present in the Thurles defense and played some solid football to deny the westerners. Hazel McAuliffe must have covered every blade of grass on the park as she was magnificent for Thurles
Hennessy popped up for the hat-trick ten minutes into the restart following some exceptional interlink play from super stars Lauren McCormack and Ellie Maher. The contest was now out of reach for Regan’s side but they never stopped in their pursuit of some goal action.
Treacy was alert to the danger posed by Teer and Maher throughout the game as Chambers and Dever were lively upfront for Sacred Heart but their endeavours were in vein as Sweeney was adamant on keeping her clean sheet.
The sucker punch came 12 minutes from time as the gifted Lauren McCormack was rewarded for her tireless efforts up front with a delightful dink past the diving Treacy.
Presentation Secondary School, Thurles will now meet Scoil Chríost Rí, Portlaoise in this year’s decider as the Leinster ladies overcame Carndonagh Community School earlier in the week. The Junior Cup decider will take place on Wednesday, March 2.
PRESENTATION SS, THURLES: Rachael Sweeney, Sarah Foley, Mary Burke, Katie Ryan, Emer Harnett, Casey Hennessy, Ciara Maher, Hazel McAuliffe (Captain), Ellie Maher, Lauren McCormack, Saoire Teer
SUBS: Kate Sheridan for Hennessy (63), Orla Corbett for McCormack (65), Saoirse Moran for Teer (63), Lillian Murray for Maher (65)
TEACHERS: Edel Harding, Barry Ryan
SACRED HEART SCHOOL, WESTPORT: Michelle Treacy, Sarah Forrestal, Leah Moran, Kate Chambers, Megan Nugent, Kerl McHale, Ann Sheridan, Grace Browne Moran, Jennifer Chambers, Megan Dever
SUBS: Tara McNulty for Dever (50), Amy Burke for Brown Moran (HT), Anna O’Riain, Emma Gibbons for McHale (60), Eva McCormack for Sheridan (67), Clodagh Campion
TEACHER: Brian Regan
REFEREE: Declan Foran (Midlands)
