Colaiste Bride, Enniscorthy 1/0 Deele College, Raphoe
Derbhla Doyle, 17
ENNISCORTHY’s Coláiste Bríde will advance to the UMBRO FAI Schools First Year girls schools soccer Final following a narrow victory over Deele College, Raphoe in Oriel Park, Dundalk this afternoon (May 8):
A solitary goal from the industrious Doyle on 17 minutes was to seal the feat of the Wexford side and ensure an All Ireland appearance for the Leinster ladies:
It was a very close encounter for John O’ Shea’s side as they fought off a strong inform Raphoe outfit managed by Fiona McCool as they took the game to the death:
Colaiste Bride had the first chance of the afternoon as Aisling Gahan broke down the wing but her shot skipped just wide of the mark moments in: It wasn’t all one way traffic as Zoe McGlynn stamped her presence on the game with some strong running and quick feet to ensure Raphoe’s foothold on proceedings:
McGlynn had some good exchanges with her opposite number Kasey Doyle: The first yellow card of the game came when Coláiste Bríde ‘keeper Bríd Byrne appeared to have handled the ball outside the box: The free kick from Deele College was scorned: A chance to open the scoring went a begging much to the frustration of McCool:
Coláiste Bríde had consecutive chances as the versatile Aisling Gahan and Derbhla Doyle went close: It was from these two chances that Coláiste Bríde found their feet and went on to open the scoring half way through the first period: Gahan played a well timed through ball to Derbhla Doyle whose shot smacked the top corner of the net leaving McHugh stranded on the goal/line:
It was end to end action following the opener as the first half came to a close:
It was much of the same for the second period as Deele looked like an equalizer was on the cards as there were two chances for Aoife Page in quick succession early on: However the youngster scorned the opportunities present:
The clean sheet for Coláiste Bríde was courtesy of some fine goalkeeping from shot stopper Bríd Byrne who was in blistering form
Deele College mentor Fiona McCool rang in the changes to try igniting her team to getting an equalizer: The focus was on her attacking formation:
Coláiste Bríde had a chance to put the game past Deele as Nicole Furlong broke on the counter attack: The Enniscorthy student found herself one on one with keeper Vanessa McHugh who did brilliantly to clear her lines receiving an accidental blow to the head for her troubles:
The Raphoe girls rallied late on in the game for that all important equalizer however it was not meant to be as Coláiste Bríde held them off to secure their place in the First Year Final:
The other semi final fixture will be played on Thursday in Athlone Town FC as Sacred Heart School, Westport take on Presentation Secondary School, Thurles in the other decider (KO 1pm):
Enniscorthy will be preparing hard in advance of their All Ireland appearance irrespective of their opposition as the Final is scheduled for Wednesday, May 30:
DEELE COLLEGE, RAPHOE: Vanessa McHugh, Alisha McLaughlin, Chantel Kelly, Deborah Colhaun, Leah Gallagher, Aria McDaid, Aoife Page, Zoe McGlynn, Chanice Murphy, Nicole Thompson, Tara McBrearty:
Subs:Chelsea Devenney, Miranda Kelly, Lauren Taylor, Nicola Bonner, Keeva Patterson
Teachers:Fiona McCool
COLAISTE BRIDE, ENNISCORTHY: Brid Byrne, Katie Breen, Niamh Treacy, Aoife McCrea, Tricia Doyle, Caoimhe Denten, Niamh Sinnott, Kasey Doyle, Derbhla Doyle, Aisling Gahan, Meghan Riche:
Subs:Nicole Furlong, Abbey Kenny, Kelsey Rud, Zoe Labelford, Aileen Brophy:
Teachers:John O’Shea
REFEREE:Turlough Maher (Louth)
Report and images courtesy of Dean Brownless