Blackwater Community School 0/0 Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy (4/3 PENS)
Blackwater Community School claimed a historic victory in the UMBRO FAI Schools First Year Girls All Ireland Final last Friday, 21 May reports Michael Looby:
The sun shone bright and hot on a pristine Ozier Park for a game with intensity, drama and talent worthy of an All Ireland Final:
Despite a nervous and energetic atmosphere, both teams hit the ground running and were clearly going for the win:
The Enniscorthy defence were strong and organised, stopping a number of well worked attacks from Elaine Looby and Sinead Shanahan in the opening stages:
Blackwater had the opportunity to break the deadlock from an outstanding Kayleigh Power free kick which shook the cross bar after 15 minutes of play:
Then moments later, Ciara McCarthy came close with a high/looping shot from the left edge of the box that was just parried wide by Tamara Furlong in the Enniscorthy goal:
Enniscorthy also had a number of chances, with the biggest threat coming from Mary Tyrrell on the left wing and classy Rita Fortune in centre midfield, but exceptional work by sweeper and dual captain Jessica Glavin kept the teams deadlocked at the half:
The second half started as dramatic as the first, with Sarah Coughlan hitting the cross bar in the early stages: Mary Tyrrell again threatened, but disciplined defending from Lorraine Bray and Emily Power on the right wing kept the Ferns star at bay:
Blackwater’s strikers were unlucky not to get a break, with Sarah Coughlan claiming a lot of ball in centre of midfield and providing great service to Avril Power who was unlucky not to hit the back of the net: Aoife Houlihan at left back for Blackwater was also top class and also Annie Stafford at centre half for Coláiste Bríde was excellent throughout and made the vital last tackles time and time again:
The game remained scoreless as full time was called:
Blackwater looked the stronger in the first half of extra time and were unfortunate not to get a goal from all the hard work by Sinead Shanahan and Lorraine Bray:
In the second half of extra time Colaiste Bride Enniscorthy came very close to scoring, hitting the cross bar and post in one attack, only to have the ball parried wide by Munster Schools keeper Roisin Cahillane: A tense end to the game with penalties looming
The penalties were of a very high standard: Enniscorthy opened up the scoring with Blackwater leveling: After Enniscorthy’s second, BCS missed: Then an Enniscorthy player shot over the bar to keep the score at 2/1: Following this, BCS scored and then their keeper saved: BCS then levelled the shoot out: Enniscorthy had another saved and with the score tied at 3/3, it all fell to the final penalty which BCS scored, sealing the tie and winning the All Ireland title much to the delight of her team mates and a jubilant Blackwater crowd:
This was a historic occasion for the Lismore School their first All Ireland soccer trophy: Amazingly the only goals they conceded in the competition were in this penalty shoot out a tremendous record for the Lismore ladies:
Blackwater Community School, Lismore: Roisin Cahillane, Emily Power, Aoife Houlihan, Jessica Glavin (Joint Capt), Kayleigh Power, Sarah Coughlan, Elaine Looby (Joint Capt), Lorraine Bray, Avril Power, Sinead Shanahan, Ciara McCarthy
Subs: Mallaidh Long, Cara Durnin, Clodagh Forbes, Orlaith Fitzgerald, Jennifer geary, Cora/Anne Sheehan, Carol Hickey, Sarah Geoghegan:
Teacher: David King, Coach: Michael Looby
Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy: Tamara Furlong, Clodagh Coughlan, Shannon Somers, Ellen Gahan, Annie Stafford, Rita Fortune, Niamh Cloke/Rochford, Rita Davitt, Amy Branville, Shauna Clince, Mary Tyrrell
Subs: Aisling Byrne, Dervla McCabe, Bridin Doyle, Ann Skelly:
Teacher: John O’Shea
Referee: Anthony Walsh