Moville Community College 3/1 Colaiste Bríde, Enniscorthy
Roma McLaughlin (18), Sarah Jane McDonald (44, 55) Mary Tyrell (46)
Moville Community College tasted success against old rival’s Colaiste Bríde of Enniscorthy in Monaghan United FC today (March 2)
Sarah Jane McDonald netted twice in the second half following an earlier goal midway through the first half from the inform Roma McLaughlin to secure victory for Sally Ann McFadden’s girls: It wasn’t an easy win by any means as Colaiste Bríde nicked the woodwork twice in an end to end encounter:
These two sides met two years ago in both the Minor and First Year Cup Semi Finals with the schools sharing the spoils on one win each: Ironically the score line in each encounter has been 3/1 and it was no different this time around with the Donegal stars edge it now with 2 wins out of 3:
Net minder Tamara McFurlong had an outstanding game for the Wexford side as she kept her team in contention after a barrage of chances went astray for Moville strikers Roma McLaughlin and Sarah Jane McDonald in the opening five minutes:
The lively Mary Tyrell went agonising close for Enniscorthy in the opening seven minutes as a cross field pass from Amy Walsh was met well by Tyrrell whose snapshot off her left peg was drifting to the far corner: The ball flew past Amy Canning in the goal mouth but just inches off the far post:
Furlong pulled off the first of her one handed saves courtesy of a blistering strike from Roma McLaughlin midway through the first half: The resulting corner was taken by Eimear Lafferty which was aimed for the head of McLaughlin: The youngster rose highest in the box to head home on 18 minutes to give Moville the lead:
Colaiste Bride trio Mary Tyrell, Shonagh Shanahan and Michelle Gahan were all combining well for Colaiste Bríde but the final ball lacked conviction:
Rochford hit Amy Walsh on the run with an inch perfect pass, the latter hitting the post in the closing minutes of the first period much to the agony of John O’Shea’s charges
Both Aine Breslin and Roma McLaughlin had excellent opportunities to double the Moville lead deep into the interval but Tamara Furlong produced two excellent saves, all from the palm of one hand, to deny the duo:
The second half was much better for Enniscorthy as Mary Tyrrell was causing concern for the Moville back four:
Shonagh Spratt Murphy had a set piece well saved by Amy Canning in the opening minutes to bring the game to life as the Wexford side made a great stab at getting the equaliser:
In a purple patch for Moville, Aine McLaughlin turned supplier for Sarah Jane McDonald: The twinkle toes teenager rounded Furlong to sweep the ball into the net for a 2/0 advantage to the Ulster outfit on 44 minutes:
Following the Moville goal, Enniscorthy’s Amy Walsh went on the attack and produced a well deserved corner for her exploits:
Spratt Murphy whipped in an excellent ball into the box which caught Melissa McDermott by surprise, the referee noting a handball in the box and awarding a penalty to Colaiste Bríde:
Amy Walsh stepped up for the conversion but the versatile Canning in goal produced two exceptional saves to deny Walsh her goal but on the third attempt Michelle Gahan found the rebound and slotted the ball into the corner to bring the Leinster Champions back into the fold with 46 minutes registered:
At the other end of the park, Aine McLaughlin fed Shannon McDonald in space in the 18 yard line: McDonald’s wonder strike was plucked from the air by a magnificent save from Furlong yet again:
Stacy Doherty was introduced for Aine Breslin midway through the second half with some tactical manoeuvring for Moville:
With only 15 minutes remaining in the game, Moville secured their third of the afternoon with a pile driver from Eimear Lafferty following some excellent work from Shannon McDonald down the right wing: Tamara Furlong saved well from Lafferty’s strike but the lively Sarah Jane McDonald was on hand to slot home the rebound from close range:
Colaiste Bríde kept their momentum going despite the deficit in the score line: An amazing corner kick from Amy Walsh saw the ball curl magnificently well and hit off the cross bar to deny the Southerners a comeback:
Amy Stokes had her hands full in the heart of the Enniscorthy defence and kept her team in the game in the dying minutes with some solid tackles to keep the pressure off the Furlong goal mouth: With just five minutes remaining in the game, the game was getting tense as Enniscorthy went on the attack at every opportunity:
Sarah Jane McDonald sprung a counter attack following an attempt on goal from Gahan and Tyrrell as she cut the ball back from the end line to supply Aine McLaughlin in space: The latter struck well but Furlong produced another brilliant save: Unfortunately for Colaiste Bride the Moville girls enjoyed much of the possession in the final five minutes to run the clock down and book their place in yet another All Ireland Final for the Donegal School:
Christ King Girls’ Secondary School will be their opposition on Wednesday, March 14 for the reigning Champions: The Corkian’s have been there before and will take it all in their stride as Fergal O’Leary has a fortnight to get his team prepared for the big occasion:
MOVILLE CC: Amy Canning, Rebekah Henry, Kathy McLaughlin, Charmaine McDermott, Melissa McDermott, Shannon McDonald, Eimear Lafferty, Aine Breslin (Stacey Doherty ’49), Sarah Jane McDonald, Aine McLaughlin, Roma McLaughlin
Subs not used: Nicole McDermott, Aine Haolin, Eimear Reddin
Teacher: Sally Ann McFadden
COLAISTE BRIDE: Tamara Furlong, Niamh Claire Rochford, Brid Farrell, Niamh Gahan, Amy Stokes, Arlene Shanahan, Shonagh Spratt Murphy, Claire Breen, Amy Walsh, Michelle Gahan, Mary Tyrrell
Subs not used: Cara Foley, Nicole Hampsenstall, Alysha Murphy, Ciara Butler, Christine Quinn
Teacher: John O’Shea
REFEREE: Michael Gallagher (Monaghan/Cavan):