Coláiste Mhuire, Ballymote 2/1 St: Peter’s Community School, Passage West
Denise McGrath (56), Karen Tansey (79) Clionadh Fahy (80)
Salthill Devon FC was the venue for this clash encounter as St: Peter’s took on Colaiste Mhuire in the UMBRO FAI Schools Senior B Girls All Ireland Cup Semi Final last Thursday:
Passage West were missing some key players, namely team captain Shannon Twomey, however the talented Tara Murphy stepped up to lead out the Corkian’s on this occasion:
Blustery weather conditions in Drom left a lot to be desired but the girls played some neat football for long periods:
The Munster stars were first to make an impact on proceedings as they applied the pressure early on: Their endeavors were rewarded with a set piece as Kia O’Mahony turned supplier: The ball skimmed across the Sligo goal line but unfortunately there was no one in a position to tap in at the far post
Ballymote student Nicole Martin wasted a gilt edged chance to score as the ball skidded off her right boot 12 minutes in:
Sligo came on the attack yet again with S Healy releasing the ball to the feet of Denise McGrath in the box: The youngster just failed to connect properly with the well worked pass and agonizingly the ball drifted wide:
S Healy nicked the Cork post on the half hour mark as goal keeper Aoife O’Flynn did enough to put off the Sligo forward
Cork changed tactics as Finbar Loftus introduced Vickie Hanna for Ria O’Mahony just before the interval
0/0 at half time
The second Cork substitution was made in the 52nd minute as Ellen O’Mahony made way for Kate Dargan’s entrance:
The stalemate ended following 56 minutes of action as Cork conceded following a marvelous goal from Ballymote star Denise McGrath as her free kick from 20 yards out sailed past O’Flynn in the Cork goal: 1/0 up with the Colaiste Mhuire supporters finally finding their voices
Healy and McGrath were playing some exceptional football for Alan O’Mainnin’s side as Cork keeper Aoife O’Flynn pulled off an excellent save to deny Karen Tansey on the hour mark:
Cork pupils Danielle Burke and Danielle Hayes deserve special mention for their defensive team effort, trying to keep the Sligo onslaught at bay:
With only a minute of the game remaining, Karen Tansey scored Ballymote’s second with a remarkable goal from distance:
A positive response from Cork followed seconds later as Clíonadh Fahy got one back for Cork but unfortunately time was up for the Munster Champions as Colaiste Mhuire just did enough to advance:
Ballymote will now face Ulster kingpins MILFORD’S Mulroy College in the All Ireland Cup Final on Wednesday, February 5: This game will be one to watch out for as its all to play for with an All Ireland title is up for grabs:
COLAISTE MHUIRE, BALLYMOTE: G Gunnie, Lisa McGrath, Aoife Conlon, Sorcha Tonry, Claire Tansey, Zara Stafford (D Keindin, 60) Denise McGrath, Nicole Martin, E: Hannon, S Healy, Karen Tansey
Subs: S Langton, K Geithins, R Caurley
Teacher: Alan O’Mainnín
ST: PETER’S COMMUNITY SCHOOL, PASSAGEWEST: Aoife O’Flynn, Danielle Burke, Emma O’Sullivan, Danielle Hayes, Triona Murphy, Tara Murphy, Orla Higgins, Ellen O’Mahony (Kate Dargan, 52), Clíonadh Fahy, Erin McEvaney (Courtney Histon, 83) Ria O’Mahony (Vickie Hanna, 40)
Subs: Katie Athkinson, , Nicky Joyce
Teacher: Finbar Loftus
REFEREE: Marc Lynch (Galway)