Scoil Muire agus Padraig, Swinford 0/1 Presentation Secondary School, Thurles
Sarah McKevitt (63)
Sarah McKevitt struck home a stunning match winner as Presentation Secondary School, Thurles made it three wins in a week to qualify for the Umbro FAI Schools Girls Junior All Ireland Cup Final:
In Galway’s Drom Complex on Thursday afternoon (February 27), the Tipperary side were always the likely winners and after comfortable contending with all the Mayo side could throw at them in the opening half, they struck for the winner on 63 minutes:
Irish U16 international McKevitt created the opportunity with some neat footwork out near the touchline and after cutting in field, she curled an unstoppable effort into the far top corner beyond the helpless Amy McNicholas:
After registering wins over Christ King Secondary School, Cork and Presentation Secondary School, Listowel earlier in the week to clinch the Munster title, it has been a busy spell for the Tipperary side, who now get a chance to build on the Minor title they won last year under the guidance of Edel Harding
Now despite facing the elements in the opening half, McKevitt, Shonagh Cleary and Hazel McAuliff threatened an early breakthrough for the winners, but despite reasonable pressure, they just struggled to hit the target:
In reality, the same could be said at the other end, as the Swinford side seldom looked like they could take an advantage into the break: A Ciara Joyce free kick from half way that was gathered by Christina Coffey and another quick exit off her line to thwart Michaele Walsh highlighted their attacking options in that opening half:
Now if McKevitt called the shot’s out the field, Swinford goalkeeper McNicholas was equally outstanding for the duration: A series of terrific second half saves kept the contest alive as McKevitt on numerous occasions, as well as Cleary were denied by some smashing saves:
In the final, Presentation Secondary School will face Loreto Secondary School from Kilkenny on Wednesday, March 12 at the Regional Sports Centre, Waterford (1:00pm)
This fixture will be a repeat of the Minor Cup All Ireland Semi Final fixture played twelve months previously were Thurles put two past Kilkenny without reply to advance to the Final which they captured, defeating Sacred Heart School, Westport 3/1 in extra time:
It will be difficult to call this one as defending Champions, Loreto of Kilkenny take on the 2013 Minor Cup Champions in what should prove to be a pulsating tie:
PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOL, THURLES: Christina Coffey, Kara O’Connor, Norah Kennedy, Robyn Moore, Niamh O’Mahony, Casey Hennessy, Sarah McKevitt, Hazel McAuliffe, Shonagh Cleary, Grainne O’Mahony, Mary Burke
SUBS NOT USED: Ciara Collins, Georgina Abbott, Nicole O’Brien, Megan Woodlock, Alix Barry Cullen
TEACHER: Edel Harding, ASSISTANT: Ailish O’Dwyer
SCOIL MUIRE AGUS PADRAIG, SWINFORD: Amy McNicholas, Caoimhe Hennigan, Liadan Forkan (Orna O’Brien 66mins), Geraldine Walsh, Siofra Frain, Ciara Dunleavy, Vanessa McHugh (Melissa Dunleavy 54mins), Ciara Joyce, Michaela Walsh, Niamh Ansboro (Capt), Roisin Durkin (Aisling Forkan –inj 68mins)
SUBS NOT USED: Lorna Kavanagh, Aoife McDonnell
TEACHER: Vincent Armstrong, COACH: Val Kenny
REFEREE: Vincent Carew (Galway)