Kingswood success in extra time thriller
FAI Schools Minor Girls National Cup Semi Final (Under 15, Large Schools)
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Kingswood Community College 2-1 Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig (AET)
Caitlin Curtis (57), Keeva O'Reilly (83) Micheala Moynihan (28)
NEWBIES KINGSWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE came from behind to win the extra time battle with a thriller to stun Coláiste Choilm at the RSC, Waterford this afternoon (Thursday, April 25).
The Ballincollig crew started brilliantly and Micheala Moynihan forced the Kingswood keeper Sophie Farrell into several fine saves early on.
Addison Ryan came close to breaking the deadlock four minutes from the interval but the versatile Farrell was again alert to the threat.
Coláiste Choilm finally broke through on goal two minutes later when the impressive Micheala MOYNIHAN netted a fabulous effort as Ballincollig took the slight advantage into the break.
Kingswood were coming back into the game with some exceptional football. Mary Flora Scott’s charges had a great chance to equalise 12 minutes into the second period. Captain Abigail Quinn had a smashing effort on target but keeper Eadain Sheehan stretched wonderfully to deny the Dubliner.
Kingswood Number One Sophie Farrell was exceptional between the post for the Dublin outfit as she denied the Moynihan duo of Micheala and Tamara midway through the half. The dynamic duo were wonderful to watch.
With only three minutes of normal time remaining, Kingswood’s hard work paid off as they equalised with a beauty from Caitlin CURTIS.
Ballincollig had a chance to wrap up the tie in the third minute of added time as Micheala Moynihan forced Farrell to stand tall to block her effort. That was the last of the action as extra-time beckoned.
The elusive winner came three minutes into the second period of extra time as Keeva O’REILLY spotted Sheehan off her line to expertly finish for a sensational ending.
With a minute left in the game, again Coláiste Choilm had a delighted effort from an Aimee O’Connell freekick but the ball smashed off the crossbar.
It was an exciting conclusion to the match with both sides creating plenty of chances to carve out some wonderful goal scoring opportunities but both keepers, Farrell and Sheehan, were at their best to keep the contest so evenly poised.
Kingswood will now advance to their first National Cup Final appearance as they take on heavyweights Presentation College, Athenry in this season’s decider on Wednesday, May 8, KO 1pm.
The Leinster starlets had four players absent this afternoon as Naiya Rankin, Sophie Sheridan and Lauryn Dalton were forced out through injury as well as an illness to Robyn Collins this week. Mary Flora Scott will be hoping to have the quartet at her disposal for the crunch encounter.
It should make for fantastic viewing as they’ll be up against double hat-trick heroes Abbie Duffy and Amira Bouhlel McNamara as they notched up quite a scoreline in the other semi-final pairing. No doubt, a challenge that Sophie Farrell will relish.
KINGSWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE | Sophie Farrell, Abigail Quinn ©, Sophie Ennis, Holly Judge, Grace Power Katie McGovern, Keeva O’Reilly, Caitlin Curtis, Ciara McGuire, Ella Byrne, Jessie O’Reilly
SUBS ROLL ON / OFF | Lannah Hurley Stanley, Lauren O’Reilly
TEACHERS | Mary Flora Scott, Chloe Crean
COLÁISTE CHOILM, BALLINCOLLIG | Eadain Sheehan, Niamh O’Connor, Carra Brett, Ava O’Leary, Aimee O’Connell, Laura Lynch ©, Clare Murray, Tamara Moynihan, Micheala Moynihan, Tasha Iosban, Addison Ryan
SUBS ROLL ON / OFF | Aisling Cooper, Aoibhinn Clerkin, Bea O’Connor, Eimear Ní Bhuachalla, Tianna Li, Grace Dodd, Blaithnaid Lehihan
TEACHERS | Niamh Ni Mhuircheartaigh, Ali Roche
MATCH OFFICIAL | Eamonn Russell (Waterford)
