Coláiste na Trócaire, Rathkeale 2-0 Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny
Phoenix Mulcaire Shire (21), Eadaoin Lyons (36)
Rathkeale’s Coláiste na Trócaire killed off Presentation SS, Kilkenny’s run in their National Cup campaign with a stunning first half performance to take the tie in Cahir Park AFC this afternoon in wet and windy conditions.
The Limerick ladies opened their account with a quarter of the game gone, the impressive Phoenix Mulcaire Shire latching onto a well measured long ball from Kate Geary. The youngster made no mistake leaving Cliodhna Kenny with no chance in goal.
Coláiste na Trócaire doubled their advantage three minutes from the interval. This time it was joint captain Eadaoin Lyons with her name on the score sheet. Following a direct run on goal, the impressive starlet used her strength and pace to slot the ball low and hard to the keepers near post.
Kilkenny’s Aobha O’Gorman and Neasa Galwey were under constant pressure in the latter stages of the half but contained the threat from Phoenix Mulcaire Shire, Anna Shanagher and Eadaoin Lyons who were combining with ease.
The second period saw the introduction of Jean De Tougeot for Murray in the Kilkenny ranks. Lizzie Buckley and Lauren Valentine were a little livelier with some space generated in the Limerick defence however they couldn’t convert any real opportunities in front of Noirín Lenihan’s goal.
Ciara Delaney and Hannah Scott was working hard for Jenny Reddy’s charges but Lenihan was adamant on keeping a clean sheet for Rathkeale.
The Limerick crew kept the Kilkenny ladies at bay late on and now march onto the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Senior Girls National Cup Final where they will face Sacred Heart School, Westport in this season’s decider.
The Cup Final will take place in Home Farm FC, Whitehall on Tuesday, February 14, kick off 1pm. It should be another great showcase!
COLÁISTE NA TRÓCAIRE, RATHKEALE: Noirín Lenihan, Sarah Fitzgerald, Rachael Anderson, Kate Geary (Joint Captain), Siobhán Tangney, Tara Coleman, Eadaoin Lyons (Joint Captain), Claire Gonery, Phoenix Mulcaire Shire, Anna Shanagher, Grace Mullane
SUBS: Joanne Foley for Anderson (56), Orla O’Doherty for Mulcaire Shire (70), Maeve Power for G Mullane (77), Anna Mullane for Shanagher (77), Aine Tangney
TEACHER: Killian Phair
PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOL, KILKENNY: Cliodhna Kenny, Ciara Morrissey, Aobha O'Gorman, Neasa Galwey, Rebecca Roche, Hannah Scott, Cliodhna Donnelly, Ciara Delaney, Lizzie Buckley, Lauren Valentine, Leanne Murray
SUBS: Jean De Tougeot for Murray (HT), Nicola Ryan, Carrie Randle, Megan Randle, Ellen O’Carroll.
TEACHERS: Jenny Reddy, John McDonald
REFEREE: John Lyons (Clonmel)
