Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Junior Girls National Cup FINAL
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Scoil Chríost Rí, Portlaoise 4-0 Presentation Secondary School, Thurles
Emma Lawlor (14, 24), Colleen Rickard (16), Gillian Keenan (31)
SCOIL CHRÍOST RÍ, PORTLAOISE had a star studded performance in the first half to wrap up proceedings early on against a hard-working Presentation SS of Thurles in Evergreen FC yesterday afternoon (March 2).
Tom Moss returned to the setup for the Leinster side, joined by his second in command, Paul Williamson having replaced Stephen Goggin this season. The duo required additional time against an inspiring Carndonagh CS in their semi-final outing to cement their place in this season’s decider.
Their counterparts Edel Harding and Barry Ryan were coming down from their high of last week’s All Ireland Senior Cup success over rivals Presentation SS, Kilkenny to capture glory. Unfortunately for Presentation, Thurles they couldn’t replicate the form they displayed in their semi-final with Convent of Mercy, Roscommon when they comfortably cruised through with a brace from the artistic Casey Hennessy who craved many an opening in this battle but just couldn’t get past Aimee Keane, who was adamant to keep a clean sheet.
The elements proved a decisive factor in this enthralling showcase as Emma Lawlor notched up a double in quick succession with Captain Rickard following suit with only 24 minutes registered. The fourth of the afternoon came four minutes from the interval as Keenan struck a super set piece from all of 30 yards. Keeper Sweeney couldn’t have been at fault for the on-slaught as the final balls were placed magnificently by the youngsters who thoroughly deserved the honours. The trio of Keenan, Rickard and Lawlor were outstanding all afternoon for the winners.
Thurles never gave up in their endeavours to get on the score sheet and were unlucky not to see their Captain Hazel McAuliffe or Lauren McCormack convert from close range.
Portlaoise were defiant not to concede in the latter stages thanks to some powerful defending from Zoe Keegan and Maeve Phelan.
SCOIL CHRÍOST RÍ, PORTLAOISE: Aimee Keane, Amy Byrne, Isabella O’Toole, Maeve Phelan, Zoe Keegan, Elaine Daly, Emma Lawlor, Gillian Keenan, Colleen Rickard (Captain), Jennifer O’Neill, Erone Fitzpatrick
SUBS: Aoife Daly for O’Toole (65), Sarah Fleming for Keegan (67), Kerrie Costello for Byrne (67), Amy Walsh for Rickard (68), Emily Jacob, Katie Casey, Leah Loughman, Bronagh Carroll, Ciara Langford, Nadine Dempsey
TEACHERS: Paul Williamson, Tom Moss
PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOL, THURLES: Rachael Sweeney, Sarah Foley, Mary Burke, Katie Ryan, Emer Harnett, Casey Hennessy, Ciara Maher, Hazel McAuliffe (Captain), Ellie Maher, Lauren McCormack, Saoirse Teer
SUBS: Kate Sheridan for Foley (68), Orla Corbett for Teer (68), Saoirse Moran for Maher (66), Lillian Murray for E Maher (56), Anna Gavin, Zoe Lanphier
TEACHERS: Edel Harding, Barry Ryan
REFEREE: Nicholas Marnell (Kilkenny)
