Sacred Heart School, Westport 5/1 Deele College, Raphoe (AET)
WESTPORT’S CIARA MORAN pocketed a hat/trick in IT Sligo this afternoon to book her side a place in this year’s UMBRO FAI Schools All Ireland Minor Cup Final against a determined Deele College of Raphoe:
Saoirse Ludden gave the Westport dynamo’s Sacred Heart School the lead on 26 minutes as she converted a well worked manoeuvre courtesy of some fine football from her colleagues Jennifer Chambers and Ann Sheridan down the right wing: Ludden found space inside the box to release a wicked shot on target leaving Kelly stranded on her goal line:
Raphoe had some well engineered set pieces as Zoe McGlynn and Vanessa McHugh worked tirelessly in the second half in search of an equaliser:
Emma Knox and Jennifer Chambers tested Raphoe keeper Sarah Jane Kelly deep in the second half but the youngster was fit for the challenge and denied the Westport duo with some brave goal keeping
With just 30 seconds left on the clock Raphoe were given a lifeline as referee Terry Butler spotted an infringement on Zoe McGlynn in the box and a spot kick was awarded: McGlynn converted calmly bringing a well deserved equaliser, the game now needing extra time to decide the outcome:
Full time 1/1
The momentum was now with the Ulster outfit as the late equaliser gave a new confidence to McCool’s crew:
However it was the Connacht Champions that made the most of additional time as Ciara Moran scored within five minutes of the restart: Moran doubled her tally of the afternoon four minutes later from a well placed ball from Chambers lead Moran to convert from close range:
3/1 with the second half of extra time on the horizon, could Deele College make a late comeback for the second time in the game?
It wasn’t to be for Raphoe as the on/form Ludden was on song again and hit her second of the afternoon with six minutes remaining to bring some breathing space between the sides with Westport enjoying a 4/1 score line:
Aoife Page and Erin Coll went agonising close for the Donegal School late on but Treacy was well placed to palm their attempts to safety
Moran secured her hat trick from the penalty spot two minutes from time to make it a convincing score line for the Westerners: Perhaps not a true reflection on the game as it was a closely fought encounter on occasion: Raphoe were always dangerous on the counter attack but their scoring prowess was lacking on this occasion
Westport now await the outcome of the other semi final set for the RSC, Waterford on Thursday (April 18) as Loreto SS, Kilkenny face Presentation SS, Thurles for a place in the UMBRO FAI Schools Minor Girls All Ireland Cup Final which is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1 (KO 1pm)
SACRED HEART SCHOOL, WESTPORT: Michelle Treacy, Lisa Smith, Emily Costello, Sarah Lavelle, Ellie Dillane, Aisling McNulty, Ann Sheridan (Sarah Hogan, 77), Emma Knox (Róisín Carney, 70), Jennifer Chambers, Ciara Moran, Saoirse Ludden (Sarah Forrestal, 77)
Subs not used: Lisa Scahill, Emma Gibbons
Teacher: Séamas Mac Eachmharcáigh
DEELE COLLEGE, RAPHOE: Sarah Jane Kelly, Leah Gallagher, Deborah Colhoun (Nicola Bonner, 77), Chantel Kelly, Erica Wilson, Naomi Kelly (Ariea McDaid, 65), Zoe McGlynn, Catherine McDaid (Stacey McGee, 40), Aoife Page, Erin Coll, Vanessa McHugh
Subs not used: Natasha Rodgers, Chanice Murphy
Teacher: Fiona McCool
REFEREE: Terry Butler (Sligo)