Coláiste Iosaef, Kilmallock 1/1 Grennan College, Thomastown (AET)
(Kilmallock win 4/2 on pens)
AN incredible debut season for Colaiste Iosaef’s first ever girl’s side continued last Thursday (February 3) when the Kilmallock secondary school narrowly saw off Grennan College in the UMBRO FAI Schools Senior B Girls All/Ireland Semi Final in Peake Villa FC, Thurles:
The Munster champions came out on top 4/2 in a dramatic penalty shootout against their Kilkenny opponents after treacherous weather conditions played a huge part in the sides being inseparable after normal and extra time:
Colaiste Iosaef manager Eddie O’Carroll was also in charge of the Limerick’s school’s boy’s side when they lost out in the final of the Senior B competition last year and must have feared it would be national heartache again as Grennan lead for most of the game:
However, despite trailing to Shauna Carroll’s opener directly from a corner on 33 minutes, the effects of the strong winds in Thurles levelled themselves out with 16 minutes of normal time remaining when Vicky McMahon’s cross caught out Victoria Hanlon in the Grennan goal and went straight in:
With neither side seizing the initiative in extra time, the contest went to a penalty/shootout and goalkeeper Sorcha McCarthy proved the hero, saving a penalty and watching one missed, before Aideen Hayes converted the winning spot kick:
Kilmallock will now face Connacht stars St: Brendan’s College, Belmullet in the All Ireland showdown which is due to take place in Salthill Devon, Drom on Wednesday next, February 9 (KO 1pm)
COLAISTE IOSAEF, KILMALLOCK: Sorcha McCarthy; Shannon Meehan (Shauna Maguire 99), Nicola Ryan, Niamh McCormack, Aideen Hayes, Vicky McMahon, Sue Ann O’Leary, Laura Lyons, Shannon O’Gorman, Celine Corbett, Shannon Lewis (Bridget O’Reilly 64):
Not used: Jodie Kelly, Margaret O’Donnell, Megan O’Brien:
Teacher: Eddie O’Carroll
GRENNAN COLLEGE, THOMASTOWN: Victoria Hanlon; Tessie Carroll, Stephanie Kavanagh, Niamh Bolger, Aine Lennon (Katie Walsh 73), Kelly Hamilton, Shauna Carroll, Megan Hayes, Megan Farrell, Sinead Whelan, Rachel O’Carroll:
Not used: Chloe Geraghty, Katie Malone, Ciara Lennon, Hannah Murphy:
Teacher: Eleanor Reddy
REFEREE: Ger Ward, Tipperary: