Presentation Secondary School, Thurles 1/0 Sacred Heart School, Westport
Sarah McKevitt (60+3)
THURLES Tornado’s Presentation Secondary School outwitted Westport’s savvy Sacred Heart School deep in injury time following a 1/0 win at a damp Athlone IT’s grounds this afternoon (May 10):
A solitary goal from Captain Fantastic Sarah McKevitt three minutes into injury time ensured the Thurles schools advancement to the final at the end of the month:
The Munster stars started the game in blistering form with two consecutive corners in quick succession: McKevitt the supplier on both occasions drafted in some delightful balls but the Westport defence were staunch to the challenge and denied the Thurles side:
Both sides settled in well and there was nothing between the two sides as the schools cancelled each other out on attempts on target:
The Westport girls managed a counter attack with five minutes played as Ciara Moran attempted to lob the ‘keeper from 16 yards out but Coffey was ample to the challenge and got her hands on the ball to deflect the wonderful effort
Seven minutes later, Thurles responded with a magical strike from the inform Cara O’Connor out on the right wing but the ‘keeper did well to save the blast:
Ciara Moran broke away from Georgina Abbott in central midfield twenty minutes in to go one on one with shot stopper Christine Coffey but the Thurles native was on her toes to yet again pull off a magnificent save:
The deadlock remained courtesy of some fantastic goalkeeping from both sides as opportunities to advance were limited in the second period as some strong defensive partnerships were merging: McNulty and Dillane were ever present for Westport and Moore and Kennedy were showing super form for Thurles:
With only ten minutes remaining McKevitt was ever present and her attempted lob on the ‘keeper was thwarted following a track back in her goal line to deny the Presentation striker:
With normal time coming to a close it looked likely that extra time was required
Westport suffered a major body blow as their Captain Ellie Dillane, who was instrumental in the Sacred Heart defence, had to be replaced following a bad fall:
With three minutes of additional time played following the injury to Dillane, a free kick was awarded to the Thurles students 25 yards out: Sarah McKevitt finally deceived Feena McManamon between the posts as the ball went crashing over her head and into the back of the net:
Another four minutes of additional time was played but Thurles worked down the clock with some crafty subs being introduced late on to see off the Westport threat:
An epic performance from Westport’s Sacred Heart but it wasn’t to be there day on this occasion as Presentation Secondary School will now meet Coláiste Bríde of Enniscorthy in this year’s Cup Final which is due to be played on Wednesday, May 30:
The Thurles girls will be one’s to watch out for on match final day as they come up against John O’Shea’s charges in a double header with the boy’s final the same day: The girls will open proceedings with a 12:30 kick off expected:
SACRED HEART SCHOOL, WESTPORT: Feena McManamon, Ciara McManamon, Ellie Dillane (Capt), Aisling McNulty, Lisa Seahill, Emma Knox, Sarah Baynes, Jessica Ryan, Saoirse Ludden, Roisin Carney, Ciara Moran
Subs: Rebecca Sammon for Emma Know (56), Laoise McNeela for Ellie Dillane (60)
Other subs: Aoibheann Lally (GK), Orla Grealis
Teachers: Seamas MacEachinharcaigh
PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOL, THURLES: Christine Coffey, Robyn Moore, Norah Kennedy, Georgina Abbott, Niamh O’Mahony, Sophie Loughlin, Sarah McKevitt (Capt), Hazel McAuliffe, Cara O’Connor, Alix Barry Cullen, Shonagh Culeary
Subs used: Clodagh Irwin for Alix Barry Cullen (16), Holly O’Dwyer for Georgina Abbott (60+3), Megan Woodlock for Cara O’Connor (60+6)
Other subs: Bridget Delaney, Sinead O’Connell
Teachers: Edel Harding & Henry Flynn
REFEREE: Paul Murphy (Midlands)