FAI Schools Senior ‘B’ Girls National Cup Semi Final (Under 20, Small Schools)
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Coláiste Oiriall, Muineachán 2-0 CBS New Ross
Sorcha Ni Dhonghaile (27), Holly Nic Uaid (76)
Debutants Coláiste Oiriall are making waves in the Senior ‘B’ Girls Cup this season with a remarkable victory over 2022 Junior ‘B’ Girls National Cup Champions CBS New Ross in the Oscar Traynor Centre, Coolock last Monday afternoon (January 23)
A goal in either half ensured their progression as Sorcha Ni DHONGHAILLE headed home from inside the box with less than half an hour played. The contest was wrapped up four minutes from time when substitute Holly Nic UAID converted.
The Monaghan outfit already took the scalp of previous Ulster Champions Mulroy College, Milford in the Ulster Final a fortnight ago in Gortakeegan. An extremely entertaining contest which took Seán O’Mairtin’s charges extra time and penalties to come out the other end of this provincial decider. The game ended one piece after extra time and the new kids on the block came through 5-4 on penalties.
CBS weathered the pressure well in the opening exchanges. However the deadlock was broken on 27 minutes when Éabha Nic Searraigh’s well placed corner was headed on target by Sorcha Ní Dhonghaile.
Nic Searraigh was unfortunate to see her effort hit the post on 36 minutes having rounded goalkeeper Tara Davitt.
The half-time interval saw goalscorer Ni Dhonghaile replaced by Abi Ni Chearullain and Ni Shuilleabhan replaced by Holly Nic Uaid.
Athlone Town player Scarlett Ni Éarain was instrumental in the second half alongside the physicality of duo Éabha Nic Searraigh and Kerrie Anne Breathnach with Órna Ní Cheallaigh confident between the posts.
With 47 minutes on the clock, Nic Searraigh prong up at the back post following a set piece from Ni Éarainn but the youngster couldn’t trouble Davitt’s goal with the glancing header.
The second goal was a fabulous team effort with Scarlett Ni Éarain feeding Éabha Nic Searraigh down the wing and she played in Holly Nic Uaid in the box. A quick one-two with Nic Uaid and Nic Searraigh saw Nic Uaid slot the ball past the onrushing netminder to ensure the win four minutes from time.
Aoidh Thomas had a free header in front of the Coláiste Oiriall goal with two minutes of injury time played but the CBS player saw the ball sail off the crossbar. A frustrating outing for the New Ross girls but they’re still in contention in the Junior ‘B’ Leinster Cup campaign and will be hoping they can retain their title later in the year.
Coláiste Oiriall now advance to their first ever FAI Schools National Cup showpiece. They will take on St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford on Wednesday, February 1.
COLÁISTE OIRIALL, MUINEACHÁN | Órna Ní Cheallaigh, Amy Ní Ródaigh, Cliondna Birí, Lauren Ní Mharcaigh, Dearbhla Ní Chianáin, Scarlett Ní Earáin ©, Hannah Nic Uaid, Kerrie Anne Breathnach, Sorcha Ní Dhonghaile, Éabha Ní Shearraigh, Aisling Ní Shuilleabhán
SUBS USED | Abi Ní Chearúlláin for Ni Dhonghaile (HT), Holly Nic Uaid for Shuilleabhan (HT), Scarlett Nic Cermaic for Hannah Nic Uaid (68), Aislinn Nic Phaidin for Birí (80)
SUBS NOT USED | Kate Ní Mearain, Grave Nic Cormaic, Caoimhe Ní Neill, Fiona Nic Giolla Thuile
TEACHER | Seán O Mairtin
CBS NEW ROSS | Tara Davitt, Keelin Juul Jensen, Aoife Cowman, Molly Browne, Tara Roche, Emma Rossiter ©, Nora Purcell, Aoibh Thomas, Sophie Quigley, Abi Rossiter, Abbie Gaffney
SUBS NOT USED | Ellie O’Connell, Niamh Doyle Maher, Abbie Wallace, Kelsey Lonergan, Ismena Ferbes, Eve Maher, Kyra Nolan, Katie Cullen, Jaime O’Rourke, Allie Keevey
TEACHERS | John Halligan, Patricia Doran
MATCH OFFICIAL | John Hanney (Dublin)
