Blackwater Community School, Lismore, Waterford 1/0 Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny
(Aisling Power, 45)
Lismore’s Blackwater Community School were crowned Umbro FAI Schools Minor Girls ALL IRELAND Champions following a close encounter with Kilkenny’s Loreto Secondary School in the RSC, Waterford this afternoon (April 18):
A solidarity goal from Aisling Power on 45 minutes was enough to seal victory for David King’s charges in a pulsating tie that could have gone either way:
Five of the Blackwater squad featured today tasted All Ireland success two years ago when they defeated Colaiste Bride, Enniscorthy 4/3 on penalties following a scoreless draw in the First Year Cup Final:
Likewise, seven of the Loreto ladies enjoyed All Ireland Futsal success in 2010 when the School claimed the prestigious title:
Needless to say it was all building up for a cracking encounter down South as things got underway: It was a fine start from both teams however Blackwater hit the ground running with some good passages of play that saw an excellent chance from Sinead Shanahan which was saved by the industrious Niamh Delaney between the posts:
Blackwater’s Eimear O’Brien created some early chances and was proving a handful for the Loreto defense:
It wasn’t all one way traffic as Laura Murphy from Loreto found herself with two solid chances to get the first goal of the game however keeper Roisin Cahillane was equal to her efforts:
Loreto began to find their feet and dominate the midfield battles, Aoife Cantwell with an excellent opportunity but her header was just wide of the mark:
A minute later Jenny Clifford had a strong shot which was hit narrowly past the goal: It was excellent combination passing between Clifford and Laura Murphy of Loreto which saw them cut through the Blackwater midfield: With Loreto dominating the first half it is hard to believe the game remained scoreless at the break:
It was more of the same again early in the second half as Loreto linked up well and showed decent signs of getting the first goal:
However, Blackwater were awarded a free kick against the run of play as Laura Greene was deemed to have brought down Sinead Shanahan outside the box: Jessica Glavin stepped up and sent a dangerous ball into the Loreto defense with Emma Power capitalizing as she slotted the ball into the crowded goal: 1/0 Blackwater mid way through the second half
Loreto challenged for an equalizer however it wasn’t enough as Blackwater hung on and were crowned 2012 Minor Girls Champions:
BLACKWATER COMMUNITY SCHOOL, LISMORE, CO: WATERFORD: Roisin Cahillane (Captain), Sarah McCarthy, Clodagh Glavin, Jessica Glavin, Sarah Landers, Elaine Looby, Emily Prendergast, Aisling Power, Emma Power, Sinead Shanahan, Eimear O'Brien
Subs: Emily Power, Roisin Uniacke, Chloe Hennebry, Sinead O'Brien, Aisling Meagher
Teacher: David King
LORETO SECONDARY SCHOOL, KILKENNY: Niamh Delaney, Sophie O Dwyer, Aine Fennelly, Kirsty Maher, Olivia Nolan, Roisin Breen, Aoife Cantwell, Laura Greene, Jenny Clifford, Laura Murphy, Megan O’Keefe
Subs: Michaela Delaney, Orla McGovern, Sarah Kent, Niamh Deeley, Niamh Mc Mullan
Teachers: Barry O'Neill & Paul McGinley
REFEREE: Anthony Walsh (Waterford)