UMBRO FAI Schools Senior Girls National Semi Final
Scoil Mhuire, Carrick On Suir 1-4 Ashbourne Community School
Portlaoise Football Club was the venue for the Senior Girls Semi Final clash which saw Munster star’s Scoil Mhuire Carrick on Suir take on Leinster Champions Ashbourne Community School on Monday last (23 March).
The game opened with a cracking strike from Ashbourne’s Shelby Leahy. Her 25 yard effort hit the crossbar with only three minutes played.
Scoil Mhuire pressed forward and opened up the Leinster defence. The Munster side was unlucky not to score when Nicole Grace’s attempt hit the side netting with five minutes gone.
Two minutes later, Hayley Lawton’s individual run was amazing with culminated in a thirty yard dash with the ball. Unfortunately, her fragile kick went wide of the right post.
Seconds later, Scoil Mhuire were on the counter attack which saw U19 International star Karen Duggan connecting well with Katie Power. The final delivery was poor and the attack broke down just outside the 6 yard box.
The game ebbed and flowed but no real opportunities were evident at the half hour mark.
Then with 33 minutes played, Alison Jordon struck from 20 yards out, her effort gliding past keeper Aisling O’Brien for a 1-0 lead to Ashbourne.
Ashbourne introduced Aisling Keogh for Noelle Francis just before half time.
Fintan O’Mahony’s half time talk seemed to work dividends as his side opened positively in the second half. A close range effort from Sinead Long was denied by the Ashbourne Keeper, Ciara Dixon.
Scoil Mhuire absorbed the pressure well with the last line of defence communicated well with one another.
However, with forty eight minutes played, Ashbourne increased their lead with an excellent goal courtesy of Hayley Lawton. Her first touch saw the ball flicked up with the side of her boot to deceive two defenders thus leaving her time on the time to execute a fine finish, the ball soaring to the roof of the net, 2-0 to the Leinster ladies.
Ashbourne made it a hat trick of goals with 54 minutes played. Kate Hurley made a dash down the right wing which saw her out run McGowan and Long before she blasted the ball to the top left hand corner. A great finish to a well maneuvered passage of play.
Scoil Mhuire needed an injection of pace in midfield and brought on Carolynn Connolly for Nicole Culleton on the hour mark.
Six minutes later, the Leinster ladies were gifted their fourth of the afternoon after a Hayley Lawton corner was headed into the net by Kate Hurley. Hurley’s second of the afternoon.
Scoil Mhuire managed to make their mark on the score sheet with 73 minutes played, when Katie Power’s corner was met by Niamh Power to slot past keeper Dixon in the Ashbourne goal.
Declan Sheerin’s side will now face Convent of Mercy, Roscommon in the National Final which is scheduled for Friday, 3 April at Leah Victoria Park, Tullamore KO 11am.
Scoil Mhuire: Aisling O’Brien, Amy McGowan, Ciara Long, Eibhilin Power, Sarah Walsh, Sinead Long, Karen Duggan, Nicola Grace, Katie Power, Nicole Culleton, Niamh Power
Subs: Niamh Mulyearn, Carolynn Connolly, Claire Power, Helena White, Sorcha Peehy Power.
Ashbourne Community School: Ciara Dixon, Linda Breton, Aoife O’Rourke, Danielle Farrell, Michelle Keogh, Gemma Rock, Kate Hurley, Alison Jordon, Shelby Leahy, Hayley Lawton, Noelle Francis.
Subs: Aisling Keogh, Megan O’Brian, Ally Leehy, Shauna Hutton.
Referee: Liam Murphy