Carndonagh Community School 0/2 Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny
Megan O’Keeffe (4), Laura Murphy (63)
LORETO SS, KILKENNY travelled to the Capital this afternoon with the aim of defending their Junior Cup title and did so with a good win over Ulster kingpins Carndonagh in the AUL Complex, Clonshaugh
A goal in each half courtesy of Megan O’Keeffe and Laura Murphy sealed victory for Paul McGinley as they go in search of another All Ireland football title
Sam Bogan’s side were without the services of Schools International goalkeeper Aoife McColgan as she was ruled out due to injury: However, they did have colleague Shania McGonigle to rely on: The youngster scored twice for the Schools select team last week in Salthill Devon but was man marked today in this tough encounter
Kilkenny were suffering the effects of injury too as U17s International Jenny Clifford sat out much of the game, only to be introduced midway through the second period:
Louise O’Connor’s clearance from defence was blocked down by a brave Megan O’Keeffe who slotted the ball past Shauna Harkin for the first of the afternoon with four minutes played
Niamh McDaid was alert to the danger posed by the experienced Kirsty Maher as she defended two quick attempts on goal admirably
Nicole Gordon was causing concern for the Loreto ladies as she combined well with colleague Laura Devlin but Devlin’s effort was wide of the mark with five minutes to the interval:
Aine Fannelly lobbed a beautifully weighted ball down the left wing to Laura Murphy who was clear on goal but some wonderfully tackling from Louise O’Connor averted a goal scoring opportunity for the Cats in the 42nd minute
Goalscorer Megan O’Keeffe made way for Jenny Clifford with fifteen minutes of the second half underway with Loreto experiencing a purple patch
Their tireless efforts were rewarded with 63 minutes on the clock as Murphy converted from 10 yards out to take it to 2/0, some breathing room now for the Leinster ladies
Niamh McDaid had a shot from distance saved well by net minder Niamh Delaney who played well throughout the game
Loreto will now await the winners of tomorrow’s encounter between Presentation Secondary School, Thurles and newcomers Scoil Muire agus Padraig, Swinford which is scheduled for Salthill Devon FC (KO 1pm)
CARNDONAGH COMMUNITY SCHOOL, DONEGAL: Shauna Harkin, Aislinn Gibbons (Cathy Doherty 60), Rachael McLaughlin, Louise O’Connor, Clare McCarron (Tamara Duffy, 69) Laura Devlin, Emma Devlin, Niamh McDaid, Lauren Crogen (Mary Doherty 66), Nichole Gordan, Shania McGonigle,
SUBS: Mary McLaughlin, Cliona Gibbons
TEACHER: Sam Bogan
LORETO SECONDARY SCHOOL, KILKENNY: Niamh Delaney, Aoife Cantwell, Aine Fennelly, Olivia Nolan, Laura Greene, Kirsty, Maher, Megan O’Keeffe (Jenny Clifford 55) Sarah Kent, Laura Murphy (Jenny O’Keeffe 68), Ria Laursen, Tara Clifford (Niamh Deely 68)
SUBS: Saoirse Comerford, Laura Tynan (GK)
TEACHERS: Paul McGinley, Barry O’Neill
REFEREE: John Thornton (AUL)