Moville Community College 0/1 Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny
The two times All Ireland Junior Cup Champions, Moville were outsmarted by a solitary goal courtesy of Loreto star Jenny Clifford as a marvellous strike on eight minutes decided their faith on Wednesday last (March 13) in Oriel Park
The Kilkenny School notched up their first All Ireland Soccer title and there were jubilant scenes as Captain Kirsty Maher was presented with the Cup: A wonderful achievement for the management duo of Barry O’Neill and Paul McGinley who have transformed this team in recent years
Loreto have experienced All Ireland winning success at Schools level in Camogie and now they have the bragging rights on the Junior Girls soccer title following a tense affair at the Dundalk venue
Sally Ann McFadden’s charges were strengthened by the return of star striker Aine McLaughlin following an ankle strain in her Senior Cup semi final clash a week previous: The youngster recorded a hat/trick in their semi final clash against Athenry’s Presentation College and was definitely one to watch out for
Loreto were the surprise package this season having defeated last year’s finalists Christ King Girls Secondary School of Cork and merited their All Ireland appearance: Goals courtesy of Jenny Clifford and Laura Murphy saw the school advance to the final: The squad notched up some fine performances in their provincial outings which saw them dispose of St: Kilian’s DSD with a hat/trick of goals in the Leinster decider: A confident start would help them no end to upsetting the odds:
Loreto indeed made the perfect start to the Cup tie as Jenny Clifford rounded Kathy McLaughlin on the edge of the box with only the keeper Cody Anderson to beat: Clifford calmly slotted the ball past the diving Anderson to snatch an early advantage for the Kilkenny Cats
Clifford nearly doubled her afternoon tally two minutes later when Laura Greene and Aoife Cantwell combined excellently down the left flank to fed Clifford in space: The youngster who trailed for the WU17 during the week made Anderson pull off a marvellous save to deny Kilkenny their second in quick succession
Aine McLaughlin saw her effort sail over the crossbar as she was one on one with Aoife Prendergast on 26 minutes
Following the interval, Moville upped their performance as Sarah Kent blocked bravely to deny Roma McLaughlin from the edge of the box:
Moville’s purple patch midway through the second half resulted in Aine McLaughlin shooting from distance but the striker was just wide of the target:
Aoife Prendergast denied Roma McLaughlin from a well manoeuvred set piece with fifteen minutes remaining
As Loreto broke on the counter, Laura Murphy and Aoife Cantwell did well to slot the ball across the centre to the waiting Clifford, her spectacular effort went just inches off the woodwork:
Moville’s three in a row title ambitions dashed as time ticked by and Loreto held on to record a historic victory over a gallant and gracious Moville
An excellent team performance from Loreto Secondary School who merited the title following a splendid afternoon’s outing in Dundalk
Definitely a team for the future:
MOVILLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Cody Anderson, Rebekah Henry (Aine Hannon, 60), Kathy Mc Laughlin, Olivia Kelly, Aine Breslin, Stacey Doherty (Eimear Reddin, 49), Eimear Lafferty (Capt), Roma Mc Laughlin, Sarah Jane Mc Donald, Nicole Mc Dermott, Aine Mc Laughlin,
Subs: Aine Havlin, Rachael Mc Laughlin, Emma Doherty, Ria Mc Clenaghan, Noreen Duffy
Teachers: Sally Ann McFadden, Seamus Gallagher
LORETO SECONDARY SCHOOL, KILKENNY: Aoife Prendergast, Jenna Sherwin, Aine Fennelly, Kirsty Maher (Capt), Danielle Kenny, Laura Greene, Olivia Nolan, Sarah Kent, Jenny Clifford, Laura Murphy, Aoife Cantwell (Megan Walshe, 59)
Subs:Niamh Phelan, Roisin Breen, Niamh Deely, Niamh Delaney (GK), Megan O'Keeffe, Aoife Whitely
Teachers:Barry O’Neill & Paul McGinley
REFEREE:James McKenna (Louth)