FAI Schools Senior Girls National Cup FINAL (Under 20, Large Schools)
Tuesday, March 6, 2023
Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana 0-0 St. Attracta’s Community School, Tubbercurry (AET) Buncrana won 4-2 on pens.
SCOIL MHUIRE’S HOLLIE FERGUSON was the hero for the Buncrana side as the young shot-stopper saved twice in the dreaded penalty shoot-out to see off St. Attracta’s Community School in the FAI Schools Senior Girls National Cup decider in Gortakeegan this afternoon (March 6)
The sides could not be separated in normal or extra time despite their best efforts as the spot kick showdown emerged.
The experienced Loughrey duo both converted their penalties as well as Tubbercurry sharp-shooter and Captain Kerri O’Hara, but Sligo’s second effort was saved brilliantly from Ferguson to deny Kelleher.
However, the drama continued with Buncrana’s third as Burke managed to get a hand to Niamh Harkin’s effort to bring the score-line to two apiece after three.
The tension was mounting as Leah Deehan converted but Jessica Casey’s strike was secured by Ferguson yet again as it was 3-2 with the final series of penalties to go.
Ciara McGee duly slotted home their fifth taking the 4-2 score-line out of reach from the St. Attracta’s crew. Elation for Buncrana, heartache for Tubbercurry.
No strangers to schools’ football with these two sides meeting last season in the Junior Cup semi-final outing. Again, it was extra-time that decided the faith with Scoil Mhuire winning out. The Ulster starlets went on to capture the National title last year.
Notwithstanding, Scoil Mhuire were knocked out in this Senior Cup competition by eventual winners Claregalway twelve months previous, so it was bittersweet to claim top prize this afternoon.
Another defeat for the Sligo Champions at the hands of Buncrana but they can be very proud of their Cup Final heroics.
St. Attracta’s started the Cup tie on the front foot and Scoil Mhuire had to endure a twenty-minute onslaught which saw Rebecca Doddy and Lauren Normanly both test Hollie Ferguson between the posts early on.
Another bright spark was Jessica Casey who threatened at every opportunity. Nonetheless the hardworking Jodie Loughrey was defensively unstoppable and kept the Sligo threat at bay for much of the first forty alongside the powerful Ciara McGee.
Kerri O’Hara had the ball in the back of the Scoil Mhuire net five minutes from the break, but the assistant had flagged that the ball went over the end-line enroute to O’Hara.
The stalemate remained at the interval.
The crowd had shouts for a penalty just after the re-start when Hunt went down in the box but the match official waved play-on.
The physical presence of Lauren Normanly was causing concern and the youngster nearly had the opener on 51 minutes as her execution was perfect only for the ball to smash off the upright.
The momentum seemed to sway Buncrana’s way in the latter stages of the second half with Macayla Burke called into action on numerous occasions to avert the efforts of McGilloway, Keri Loughrey and Niamh Harkin.
Extra-time saw some players tire as Kerri O’Hara and Rebecca Doddy had chances cancelled out by Ferguson.
Jodie Loughrey’s set pieces were finding sister Keri, but the Tubbercurry defence was well marshalled to see off any real challenges in front of goal.
A dramatic conclusion to this year’s Cup campaign as the Senior Cup returns to Buncrana following a 19-year absence.
SCOIL MHUIRE, BUNCRANA | Hollie Ferguson, Alanna Graham, Ciara McGee, Leah Deehan, Jodie Loughrey, Heidi Gill, Bria McGilloway, Keri Loughrey ©, Chloe Rutherford, Niamh Harkin, Sienna Bradley
SUBS USED | Cliona O’Donnell for Bradley (55)
SUBS NOT USED | Tanya Lynch, Erin McCallion, Ella McColgan, Rhianna Doherty, Leah McCarron, Áine McCallion, Millie Anthony, Grace McGonagle, Rosa Davis, Sadhbh McGrath, Ella Bradley
TEACHERS | Paddy Carr & Eoin Leonard
ST. ATTRACTA’S COMMUNITY SCHOOL, TUBBERCURRY | Macayla Bourke, Eimear Hunt, Ciara Walsh, Leah Walsh, Jessica Casey, Ellen Kelleher, Cara King, Kerri O’Hara ©, Rebecca Doddy, Lauren Normanly, Amy McCarthy.
SUBS NOT USED | Rebecca Staunton, Katie McLoughlin, Kate McCarthy, Arlin Barrett, Ciara Kerrigan, Patrice Conboy, Sophia Calvey, Catherine Gallagher Ciara Brennan
TEACHERS | Andrew Flynn & Hughie Harvey
MATCH OFFICIAL | Paul McGeown (Monaghan)