St: Mary’s Secondary School, Ballina 2/0 St: Caimin’s Community School, Shannon
Sarah Rowe (32, 69)
Ballina’s Sarah Rowe notched up two goals in each half to ensure her Schools progression to the UMBRO FAI Schools Junior Girls Final: The pulsating fixture was played out in sunny Tuam Celtic on Thursday last (4 March):
St Caimin’s were favourites on paper having reached the All Ireland Final last year which saw them narrowly miss out on an All Ireland title when St: Patrick’s College, Lacken Cross advanced in extra time to secure the coveted title:
St: Mary’s were also sporting some fine footballer’s, having reached the final four in the First Year Girls competition last May in Athlone: They also had the added advantage of Schools International Sarah Rowe who is currently on trials for a spot in the U15 schools development squad:
The impressive Laura McMahon was first to make her mark on proceedings with 3 minutes registered: Her curving top corner effort was tipped over the bar by the vigilant Kate Barrin in goal:
Not to be out done, Ballina responded with great footwork from Chelsea Forde to deceive two Caimin’s defenders: Forde executed a neat pass to Alanna Naughton whose effort was wide of the post:
St: Caimin’s dominated much of the opening 35 minutes but no clear cut chances were on the cards as good defending by Tess Grant and Chelsea Farrell kept the Shannon girls at bay:
Ballina’s Fiona Treacy was passing the ball well in the centre of the park and on 32 minutes her delivery found Sarah Rowe with space: The youngster piled the ball into the top corner with a powerful shot on target leaving net minder Emily Childs no chance:
Laura McMahon had a busy first half with some solid defending for St: Caimin’s: She was assisted well by Caroline Feehily and Chelsea Brassin:
Just before the whistle, Alanna Naughton was the provider for Sarah Rowe to head from close range but the attempt on goal was wide of the right post:
The second half opened with Naughton again turning provider for the productive Rowe to hit the side/netting:
Richard Grimes added a new mix of strikers up front with St: Caimin’s introduced Katie Hearn on 52 minutes for Slaine Carey and Aislinn Keogh for Ali Quinhlan on 58 minutes:
Sinead Tuohy was working hard to capitalise on some good ball out of defence on a number of occasions:
Just over the hour mark, her speedy run down the wing saw her deliver a beautiful ball into the box but unfortunately for the Clare outfit there was no one there to exploit the situation:
Ballina were well aware of the threat on goal and edged forward at every opportunity on the counter attack: Their good work was rewarded with numerous corners but they couldn’t register a second goal to put the game out of reach:
St: Caimin’s had a few half chances through Zelika Brown, Claire O’Brien and Sinead Tuohy:
It was Rowe who rapped up proceedings with only four minutes remaining as she rattled the top corner after a splendid 15 yard run into the centre to put the ball firmly past keeper Emily Childs:
St: Mary’s will now face Moville Community College of Donegal in the All Ireland Final which will be played in two weeks time: Moville last won the Junior Girls title in 2006/07 and will be looking to add another prestigious award to their soccer credentials while it will be a first for St: Mary’s:
St: Mary’s SS, Ballina: Kate Barrin, Tess Grant, Chelsea Farrell, Marie Hegarty, Jessica Butler, Sarah Rowe, Carol Hegarty, Laura Daine, Fiona Treacy, Chelsea Forde, Alanna Naughton
Subs: Regina Molloy, Clodagh Egan, Michelle Mulligan, Emma Durcan, Ciara Armstrong
Teacher: Ciaran Allen, Coaches: Harry McCafferky, Jacqui Mulligan
St: Caimin’s CS, Shannon: Emily Childs, Chelsea Brassin, Caroline Feehily, Laura McMahon, Sinead Tuohy, Ellen Forke, Zelika Brown, Ali Quinlan (Aislinn Keogh, 58), Slaine Carey (Katie Hearn, 52), Claire O’Brien, Brid Enright
Subs: Aisling Hassett, Christine Collins, Amy Kiely
Teacher: Richard Grimes
Referee: Sean Geasley
PDF of the article in the Mayo News courtesy of Daniel Carey