Convent of Mercy, Roscommon 4 – 1 Carndonagh Community School
Carndonagh made light of the fact that their opposition were beaten All Ireland Semi Finalists last season when they walked onto the pitch in Ballyshannon on Thursday afternoon:
The Ulster Champions were first to make an impact on proceedings with seven minutes played when Danielle Gordon slotted the ball past Leona Doolin in the Roscommon net:
Cheryl Scally was lively upfront for Roscommon and a snapshot on goal on 23 minutes was blocked by the diving body of Fiona Doherty and the rebounding ball hit the woodwork and out for a corner:
Seven minutes later Roscommon’s Cliona McHugh pressed Doherty into a superb save:
Both Scally and McHugh were an awesome strike partnership with the linkage working well for the attackers: The Carndonagh Keeper was well aware of their threat on goal and made another heroic save with 37 minutes on the clock:
Carndonagh couldn’t convert their set piece after 39 minutes but they were delighted to be going into the second half 1/0 up despite the Roscommon pressure:
The Ulster ladies started the second half well but Convent of Mercy equalised on the counter attack after 50 minutes courtesy of Cheryl Scally making it all square at one apiece (1/1):
Carndonagh upped the tempo and drew on the attack, Deirdre Foley’s effort was denied by keeper Leona Doolin yet again:
Mercy broke on the counter attack with a high ball in from Aisling McHugh: Cliona McHugh was first to react but keeper Fiona Doherty made a fine save:
With 55 minutes registered, Ulster pairing, Denise Doherty and Toni McCormack linked well, Doherty unable to connect with the final ball:
Carndonagh introduced Deborah McLaughlin after the hour mark and Kate Roddy for Toni McCormack two minutes later:
Roscommon sharp shooter Cliona McHugh tried to lob the keeper from 20 yards but her effort on 64 minutes sailed over the upright:
McHugh didn’t have to wait long to add to the scoresheet with her pile driver banging the back of the net with 66 minutes played: 2/1 to the Convent of Mercy:
Ulster’s Grainne Bryne was introduced for Janine Gordon with 67 minutes played:
Roscommon’s Elaine Morris had her goal disallowed following an infringement to Lauren Doherty in the lead up to the goal on 75 minutes:
Three minutes from time, Scally scored her second of the afternoon when her right footed shot sailed across the goal and into the top left corner ensuring a 3/1 lead for Roscommon:
There was no way back for Carndonagh as two minutes into injury time, up stepped Cliona McHugh for her second:
The goal was the result of some great work from Elaine Norris to set up McHugh who found Scally in space: Scally bet off two defenders before returning the ball to McHugh who side/stepped the last defender leaving the Ulster keeper with no chance:
The 4/1 result didn’t reflect the game with Convent of Mercy scoring on the counter attack on two occasions: Carndonagh fought hard and should be very proud of their performance with their Keeper in fine form making a number of excellent saves and ensuring a nail biting conclusion to the All Ireland Semi Final:
Convent of Mercy now advance to the All Ireland Final stage where they will face Ashbourne Community School in the UMBRO FAI Schools Senior Girls National Final which is scheduled for Friday, 3 April in Leah Victoria Park, Tullamore KO 11am:
Convent of Mercy: Leona Doolin, Aisling Rogerson, Aisling McNeill, Edel Menton, Aisling Lannon, Aisling McHugh, Anna McCormack, Gertie Dowd, Cliona McHugh, Cheryl Scally, Elaine Morris
Subs: Laura McLoone, Catriona Regan, Millie Naughten, Catriona Bannon, Deirdre Regan:
Carndonagh CS: Fiona Doherty, Caroline Kelly, Lauren Doherty, Helen Kelly, Janine Gordon, Danielle Gordon, Georgina Gordon, Deirdre Foley, Roisin McDonald, Toni McCormick, Denise Doherty:
Subs: Aisling McCallion, Jennifer McLaughlin, Gainne Byrne, Claire Doherty, Deborah McLaughlin, Eimear Lafferty, Kate Roddy
Referee: Ed Moore
Please see gallery section for images from the game