FAI Schools Senior Girls National Cup Semi Final (Under 20, Large Schools)
Friday, February 3, 2023
St. Attracta’s CS, Tubbercurry 2-1 St. Mary’s HS, Midleton (AET)
Kerrie O’Hara (75), OG (84), Ava McAuliffe (15)
Sligo scholars ST. ATTRACTA’S COMMUNITY SCHOOL came from behind to force an extra-time winner to see past Midleton’s St. Mary’s High School in an action packed encounter in John O’Sullivan Park, Ennis on Tuesday last (February 1).
The Munster Champions were five minutes from an historic victory following Ava McAuliffe’s opener after 15 minutes with the clock ticking down. However, Captain Kerrie O’Hara struck late on to force extra-time drama which saw Sligo win out from an OG four minutes into the first period.
It was a frustrating afternoon for Andrew Flynn’s side as Lauren Normanly hit the crossbar with the first attack from kick-off.
Amy McCarthy’s goal minutes later was chalked off for off-side while Normanly forced a great save from Shauna Cashman 12 minutes later after good build-up play from Kerrie O’Hara.
Midleton’s goal came against the run of play with Ava McAuliffe striking a killer blow on 15 minutes as she slotted past Bourke.
St. Attracta’s hit to woodwork for a second time courtesy of Cara King’s strike.
Again St. Attracta’s squandered a great chance in front of goal as Normanly sliced her effort wide of the mark following some great play by Rebecca Doddy.
Midleton went into the break, a goal up.
Aimee Savage and Lily Hayes Nally were linking up well together in the early exchanges of the second half but the Tubbercurry netminder did enough to avoid conceding again.
Midleton were under the cosh for the last fifteen minutes of the game as St. Attracta’s pressed for the equaliser and with five minutes remaining it came. Kerrie O’Hara headed home from a Cara King cross to see the momentum with the Sligo starlets.
The game ended all square, one apiece as the first period of extra-time commenced.
Four minutes in, it was O’Hara again at the heart of the action as they were awarded a free-kick twenty yards out. The Under 19 International sent a high ball into the danger-zone as a Midleton defender headed into her own net.
Great credit to St. Mary’s as they pushed everyone forward for the elusive equaliser in the second half of extra-time.
Two quick set-pieces at the edge of the Tubbercurry box were cleared and Macayla Bourke pulled off a massive save late on to deny Ava McAuliffe.
A hugely entertaining game between two great sides which saw St. Attracta’s just edge the encounter.
The Sligo girls now face Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana who they faced in the Junior Girls Cup semi-final clash last season at Under 17 level. The Donegal school won that contest so it will be an interesting proposition for the Connacht Champions.
ST. ATTRACTA’S COMMUNITY SCHOOL, TUBBERCURRY | Macayla Bourke, Eimear Hunt, Ciara Walsh, Ellen Kelleher, Cara King, Leah Walsh, Jessica Casey, Kerri O’Hara, Lauren Normanly, Rebecca Doddy, Amy McCarthy.
SUBS USED | Rebecca Staunton for Normanly (62)
SUBS NOT USED | Katie McLoughlin, Kate McCarthy, Arlin Barrett, Sophia Calvey, Patrice Conboy, Ciara Gerarthy, Catherine Gallagher
TEACHERS | Andrew Flynn & Hughie Harvey
ST. MARY’S HIGH SCHOOL, MIDLETON | Shauna Cashman, Kate O’Sullivan, Brianna Smith, Sorcha Cronin, Amelia Cooper, Faye Dunlea, Natalia O’Connor, Lainey O’Sullivan, Aimee Savage, Lily Hayes Nally ©, Ava McAuliffe.
SUBS NOT USED | Saoirse Cremin, Malina Hassine, Mai Woods, Ava Coughlan
TEACHERS | Frank Kelleher, Jason Moore, Margaret O’Regan
MATCH OFFICIAL | Pa Gleeson (Clare)
