St: Brendan’s College, Belmullet 4/0 Mulroy College, Milford
The Belmullet school made history by defeating Ulster Champions Mulroy College in IT Sligo’s Sports Grounds yesterday (February 1):
The predominately GAA school held their own in a highly skilled game to proceed to an All Ireland Schools Soccer Final, the first in the School’s history:
Belmullet were made to work hard for the victory as Mulroy looked promising in the opening exchanges with Ciara Gibbons and Natasha McElwaine combining well on a number of occasions:
An early strike from Mulroy’s Niamh Sweeney was well blocked by Cathriona Doherty in defence:
Belmullet looked certain to take the advantage when Michelle Doherty was deemed to have been fouled inside the box on 10 minutes: The classy Anita Doherty stepped up to take the resulting penalty but a great save from goalkeeper Breege Boyce kept the westerners at bay as the ball stunned over the bar:
Darcy was to make up for her previous error by scoring the goal of the game, six minutes later: A stunning pile driver from 20 yards cracked the back of the Milford net to make it 1/0 to Belmullet:
There wasn’t much to divide the sides as the game progressed with Belmullet enjoying more of the possession:
Their endeavours were rewarded just before the interval as Michelle Doherty was on hand to toe poke the ball into the net from close range after some athletic net minding saw Breege Boyce make a double save to deny the Mayo girls moments earlier:
St: Brendan’s increased their tally within minutes of the restart when Anita Darcy’s long range effort deceived the keeper to thread the ball through the bottom corner for Belmullet’s third of the afternoon:
Milford’s back four were feeling the pressure but good work from Margaret Friel and Eimear Gibbons kept the Donegal side in contention as they battled hard to get on the score sheet:
Sorcha Ní Mhurchu was confident between the posts for Belmullet and she kept a clean sheet as her colleagues enjoyed a purple patch midway through the second half:
A set piece from Michelle Lynch secured the win for Belmullet on 72 minutes as her long range free kick sailed to the top corner for her side’s fourth of the game:
A gallant Milford rallied on occasion but Belmullet dominated most of the game and took their chances without hesitation:
The Mayo girls were delighted with the victory as the signs of jubilation were evident after the final whistle: An historic day for the school and they now look forward to a place in the UMBRO FAI Schools Senior B Girls All Ireland Final:
Mentor Neil Reilly who now teaches in St: Brendan’s College has tasted All Ireland success before by leading St: Patrick’s College, Lacken Cross to an All Ireland Junior title in 2008/09: Reilly is hoping for a repeat performance from his native County as he prepares them for the opportunity to claim the coveted silverware:
Reilly will have to await his opponents as Coláiste Iosaef, Kilmallock kick off against Grennan College, Thomastown in the other semi final which is scheduled for this Thursday at Peake Villa FC, Thurles (KO 1pm)
ST: BRENDAN’S COLLEGE: Sorcha Ní Mhurchú, Grainne McAndrew, Cathriona Doherty, Emma Conroy, Fiona Rowland, Anita Doherty, Marieta Mangan, Michelle Lynch, Samantha Barrett, Michelle Doherty, Elaine Cawley
SUBS:Joanna Lally, Serena Padden, Rachel Lally, Natalie Lindsey, Clara Barrett, Rachel Geraghty
TEACHERS:Neil Reilly, Caroline McAndrew
MULROY COLLEGE: Breege Boyce, Margaret Friel, Michelle Sweeney, Shauna McDevitt, Eimear Sweeney, Natasha McElwaine, Ciara Gibbons, Roisin Boyce, Shannon Sweeney, Janita Dorrain
SUBS:Roisin Devenney, Stacy McGarvey, Amanda Tracey, Caroline Marley, Michelle Devenney
TEACHER:Aisling Crawford
REFEREE:Raymond Flynn