FAI Schools Senior Girls National Cup Semi Final (Under 20, Large Schools)
Friday, February 2, 2024
Athlone CC 0-0 Presentation SS, Thurles (AET) Thurles won 2-4 pens
Presentation Secondary School, Thurles came through a nail-biting penalty shoot-out against Athlone Community College in Killavilla United, Roscrea yesterday afternoon (February 1) following a scoreless end to extra-time.
The heroines of the day were the goalkeepers; Athlone’s Ella Naughton and Thurles scholar Caitlin Shelly who were exceptional throughout the game and kept their clean sheets. Dramatically Thurles switched their number one for the spot-kicks as Chloe Shorley stepped up to the mark.
Incredibly both keepers got their finger tips to deny the first spot-kicks with Kirwan of Thurles and Walsh of Athlone not registering scores. The pressure was on for the remaining contenders.
Thurles and Athlone both converted their second (© Flanagan, © O’Sullivan) and third attempts (Breslin, Donegan) while Thurles’ fourth was slotted home by O’Dwyer, however, Nugent’s effort for Athlone hit the woodwork.
Then Shorley who was donning the goalkeeper jersey, stepped up to score the fifth and ensure the teams advancement to the Cup Final.
It was a lack lustre encounter which left all the drama and intensity to the final stages of the game.
Ciara Breslin had two attempts on goal within the first twenty minutes, her first saved brilliantly by Naughton while her other long range effort sailed inches over the crossbar.
The teams went into the break goalless.
Similar to the opening period, Ciara Breslin had an open goal to shot into but the distance was a factor as the ball just went over the endline while minutes later the striker was in prime position to score but a last ditch intervention from Naughton saved the Athlone crew.
A number of set-pieces were awarded for both teams but no one could breach the defence.
Alison Nugent had a beautiful volley from a corner three minutes from time but again Shelly did enough to thwart the attempt.
The period of extra-time couldn’t break the deadlock as the dreaded shoot-out ensued. A thrilling end to a wonderful contest.
A massive sigh of relief for Barry Ryan’s side to get over the line as he now faces Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana in this year’s tie.
The National Cup Final will take place on Wednesday, February 21 with the venue to be confirmed (1.0).
ATHLONE COMMUNITY COLLEGE | Ella Naughton, Rachel Rourke, Tara O’Sullivan ©, Lora Deehan, Bonnie Moylette, Keeley Sammon, Alison Nugent, Ciara Walsh, Caitlin Gavin, Hazel Donegan, Ciara Murphy
SUBS USED | Aoife Walsh for Moylette (28), Aoife Minnock for Sammon (88), Caoimhe Dolan for Walsh (91)
SUBS NOT USED | Chloe Shenahan, Alveen Curley, Rebecca Keenan, Juliet Shine
EXTENDED SQUAD | Roisin O’Brien
TEACHERS | Edel Menton, Kevin McCarthy
PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOL, THURLES | Caitlin Shelly, Ellen Maher, Molly O’Dwyer, Neasa Dwan, Leanna Coppinger, Grace Flanagan ©, Ava Ryan, Chloe Shorley, Ciara Breslin, Molly Kirwan, Aoife Shelly
SUBS USED | Eimear Dwan for A Ryan (56)
SUBS NOT USED | Lily Ryan, Abbey Challen, Molly Quinn, Eva Walsh, Elana McGrath, Roisin Dwan
TEACHERS | Barry Ryan, Cian Treacy
MATCH OFFICIAL | Mark Greene (Roscrea)
