Thurles come through extra-time thriller
FAI Schools Senior Girls National Cup Final (Under 20, Large Schools)
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Presentation Secondary School, Thurles 1-0 Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana (AET)
Molly O’Dwyer (93)
PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOL, THURLES overcame reigning Champions Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana to clinch the National Senior title following some extra-time heroics in Rock Celtic FC, Dundalk on Monday afternoon (March 4)
Both goalkeepers Caitlin Shelly, Thurles and Hollie Ferguson, Buncrana were in exceptional form to keep the deadlock for so long after sustained pressure from both sides.
Ferguson was first to react as Under 15 Schools’ International Molly Kirwan’s shot saw the Scoil Mhuire number one pull off a spectacular fingertip save to see the ball over her upright, eight minutes in.
Again, it was Thurles who applied the goalscoring threat when Captain Grace Flanagan produced a top class free kick only for the ball to float inches over the woodwork seven minutes later.
Midway through the first period, it was Ciara Breslin who played a fabulous ball through to Flanagan but the Buncrana netminder got down well to smother the ball.
Scoil Mhuire’s Bria McGilloway had a brilliant chance to put the Ulster girls ahead only for some heroics from Caitlin Shelly to keep her attempt out with 24 minutes registered.
It was a scoreless first half as plenty of chances were created early in the second.
Molly Kirwan came close at one end while Under 19 International star Keri Loughrey also lost out on breaking the deadlock.
Flanagan, Breslin and Kirwan were always a threat, but Ferguson was on hand to deny the trio on a number of occasions late on.
Likewise, McGilloway, Gill and Keri Loughrey were tenacious throughout the game but couldn’t see a way past the Thurles defence. Another notable performance from Jodie Loughrey too.
The game ended goalless as extra time was called for to decide the winner and we waited until the second half period for the decisive goal to come.
The ball just sat nicely for Molly O’DWYER to smash it home from close range on 93 minutes.
The Thurles defence had to withstand an enormous amount of pressure in the dying minutes of the game, but Maher and Flanagan were ever present to reinforce the rearguard and see the Cup travel South.
Barry Ryan’s School last won the Senior title back in 2018 when Aoibheann Clancy and Emma O’Sullivan netted either side of the break to defeat another Donegal outfit, Moville Community College that afternoon in Home Farm FC, Dublin.
Huge disappointment for the Scoil Mhuire crew who were hoping to make it back to back title wins but jubilation finally for Thurles to see them get one over on the old rivals on Monday afternoon.
PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOL, THURLES | Caitlin Shelly, Ellen Maher, Molly O’Dwyer, Neasa Dwan, Leanna Coppinger, Grace Flanagan ©, Ava Ryan, Ciara Shelly, Ciara Breslin, Chloe Shorley, Molly Kirwan.
SUBS USED | Aoife Shelly for Ciara Shelly (50), Eimear Dwan for Chloe Shorley (59)
SUBS NOT USED | Abbey Challen, Nicole Tarrant, Eva Ralph, Lily Ryan, Roisin Dwan
EXTENDED SQUAD | Ruby O’Dwyer, Siobhan Carr, Molly Quinn, Elana McGrath
TEACHERS | Barry Ryan, Cian Treacy
SCOIL MHUIRE, BUNCRANA | Hollie Ferguson, Alanna Graham, Ciara McGee, Leah Deehan, Jodie Loughrey, Heidi Gill, Clíona O’Donnell, Keri Loughrey ©, Bria McGilloway, Aoife Doherty, Sienna Bradley
SUBS USED | Eimear Doherty for Cliona McDonnell (62), Kaitlin Lynch for Leah Deehan (85)
SUBS NOT USED | Chloe Rutherford, Erin McCallion, Clodagh McColgan, Ella McColgan, Rhianna Doherty
EXTENDED SQUAD | Millie Anthony, Leah McCarron, Grace McGonagle, Ella Bradley
TEACHERS | Paddy Carr, Kaneshia McKinney
MATCH OFFICIAL | Paul Malone (Louth)
