FAI Schools Minor Girls National Cup FINAL (Under 15, Large Schools)
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
St. Mary’s Secondary School, Nenagh 3-1 Presentation College, Athenry
Clodagh Daly (10), Ailbhe Tracey (16), Maeve Cunneen (47) Kerri O’Driscoll (51)
NENAGH newbies St. Mary’s Secondary School were crowned Minor Girls National Cup Champions this afternoon in Athlone (September 28) for the first time in the Schools history.
Their heroics followed a colossal battle with Athenry outfit Presentation College who were making a return to the Girls National Final stages after a 12 year absence.
Shane Doherty’s crew got the perfect start to this Cup tie with former Schools International Clodagh DALY smashing the ball into the top corner with only ten minutes on the clock.
Their tally was doubled mid-way through the first period as Ailbhe TRACEY finished smartly from close range.
Both goalkeepers had a wonderful game with Mollie Ryan keeping a clean sheet and Mollie Gilligan keeping the deficit to just two at the break.
Nenagh were a much fancied side when their third goal landed as substitute Maeve CUNNEEN rounded the keeper and tapped home from 12 yards with just thirteen minutes remaining.
Athenry continued to apply the pressure and their hard work was rewarded nine minutes from time as Captain Kerri O’Driscoll scored from a magnificent free-kick to bring the girls back to within two.
However time was against them and St. Mary’s held out nervously for the historic win.
We haven’t seen the last of the Athenry side as they feature in the FAI Schools First Year Girls National Cup Semi Final. This is due to take place in Sligo on Tuesday, October 11 with Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana posing as valiant opposition. No doubt Presentation College will be looking to reverse their fortunes and go all the way in that Cup clash.
ST. MARY’S SECONDARY SCHOOL, NENAGH | Mollie Ryan, Thia McCarthy, Nikola Zarina, Maura Gleeson, Jane Ryan, Eimhear Troy ©, Kellie O’Dwyer, Emma Costello, Isabella Kingston, Clodagh Daly, Ailbhe Tracey
SUBS ROLL ON/OFF | Maeve Cunneen, Laura Kinsella, Sadhbh Fogarty, Ruby Power, Ava Conneally
EXTENDED PANEL | Robyn O’Dwyer, Katelyn Deane, Ava Moroney, Sophia O’Meara, Ellie Ryan, Lydia Leamy, Emma Nolan, Roisin Connolly, Katie Ryan, Leah Slevin, Martha Devaney, Maureen Seymour, Sarah Young
TEACHER | Shane Doherty
PRESENTATION COLLEGE, ATHENRY | Mollie Gilligan, Aisling Costello, Tarron Kilkenny, Isobel Whyte, Niamh Kilgannon, Sophie Costello, Mollie Noone, Kerri O’Driscoll ©, Ella Farrelly, Ciara Mullins, Sophie Hogan
SUBS ROLL ON/OFF | Amira Bouhlel McNamara, Sarah Egan, Snead O’Mahony, Saoirse Cooley, Leah Mullins
EXTENDED PANEL | Ailish Molloy, Saoirse Moran, Emma Deely, Aoife Monaghan, Amanda Conway, Eva McGlynn, Zara Horan, Cora Sweeney, Aoibhe O’Dowd, Abbigail Marchant
TEACHERS | Dom Coll, Joe Finnerty, Emer Kilgannon, James McDonnell
MATCH OFFICIAL | Paul Tone (Athlone)