Killina steal show with Dolan goal
Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Minor ‘B’ Girls National Cup Final
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Killina Presentation SS, Tullamore 1-0 St. Mary’s SS, Newport
Emma Dolan (18)
A solidarity goal courtesy of the industrious Emma DOLAN was enough to see Killina Presentation Secondary School overcome defending Champions St. Mary’s Secondary School of Newport in a tense Cup decider in Birr Town FC this afternoon (April 17)
The Newport outfit St. Mary’s SS were the surprise package in 2017 but it was Tullamore’s Killina that stole the show this season with a tremendous outing in their cup campaign.
In a breezy start to proceedings it was the Tullamore girls that took advantage of an increasing swirl in the Birr venue but netminder Emma Wright was alert to the dangers of Becky Watkins and Megan Daly to keep the deadlock in the early exchanges.
However midway through the first thirty, it was Emma Dolan’s stunner that swept past Wright to open Killina’s account.
The Newport side were close to coming up with an equaliser just before the interval as Abbey Lenihan made a darting run down the right flank but Ciara Glackin was equal to the challenge and got down well to save bravely.
Chelsea King was introduced in the second half for St. Mary’s and her first touch nearly resulted in a goal as her strike from the left wing just sprayed past the far post. King was the target for much of the Newport attack but Killina’s defence stood strong to keep her and Emma Kett at bay.
O’Connor’s side remained resilient to take their first Bank of Ireland FAI Schools National Cup title in a hard fought encounter.
A remarkable achievement for the Tullamore School as it’s their first ever National accolade in any sporting discipline, an historic moment for management duo Graham O’Connor and Philip Austen. No doubt this deadly duo will be looking to replicate their success stories in 2019!
For St. Mary’s SS, it’s back to the drawing board as the School are still in the running for two National titles. The school have qualified for both the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools First Year ‘B’ Boys and Girls National Cup Semi Finals having claimed Munster titles last week in quick succession
The girls will contest the National Cup Semi Final against St. Joseph’s SS, Foxford this Thursday in Salthill Devon at 1pm under the stewardship of Darren Harrington while a week later, Louise Coyle will guide the boy’s team with either Coola Post Primary School or St. Joseph’s SS, Foxford the opposition.
Bank of Ireland POTM | Gary Seery, FAI Development Officer for Offaly was on hand to announce the Player of the Match. While Emma Wright (St. Mary’s SS) and Ciara Clackin (Killina PSS) both impressed between the sticks as well as the attacking prowess of Becky Watkins (Killina PSS), it was midfielder and Killina Captain Ava DOLAN that was named Bank of Ireland Player of the Match following her energetic performance for the Tullamore charges.
KILLINA PRESENTATION SS, TULLAMORE | Ciara Glackin, Kaithlynn Spain, Ciara Heffernan, Katelyn Murphy, Louise Molloy, Emma Dolan, Ava Dolan (Captain), Emma Hand, Ciara Wyer, Becky Watkins, Megan Daly
SUBS | Eivile Jankunaite, Amy Kelly, Rachel Dillion, Marie Cantwell, Sophie Davern
EXTENDED PANEL | Rachel Walsh, Saraid McDonald, Libby English, Hannah McDonald, Aimee O’Connor, Savannah Delaney, Aishling Heavey, Ciara Cunningham, Fia Guinan, Ava O’Brien
TEACHER | Graham O’Connor ASSISTANT | Philip Austen
ST. MARY’S SS, NEWPORT | Emma Wright, Edel O’Brien, Marie O’Brien, Eimear Carey (Captain), Rachel Carey, Sarah Finn, Aideen McGlinchey, Nadine Stokes, Emma Kett, Skye Sheahy, Abbey Lenihan,
SUBS | Sarah Kelly, Roisin Power, Chelsea King, Ava Shinners, Ailin Rochford
EXTENDED PANEL | Leah Moran, Claire Kennedy, Kate Harvey, Leah Guerin
TEACHER | Sara Quinn ASSISTANTS | Emma Flannagan & Ellen McKeogh
REFEREES | Christopher McFadden (Offaly)