Ashbourne Community College 2/0 Eureka Kells
Ashbourne Community College defeated fellow Meath side Eureka Secondary School in the FAI Schools Leinster Senior Girls semi/final in the MDL Grounds, Navan last week reports Mark Scanlon, Meath Development Officer:
The game was played in difficult conditions after heavy rainfall on the morning of the game but both sides didn’t let the adverse weather conditions affect their play:
Eureka started brightly as they looked to justify their favourites tag but they were rocked on 12 minutes when Ashbourne centre/half Linda Breton struck a powerful free/kick from 25 yards into the roof of the Eureka net giving Eureka goalkeeper Claire Foley no chance:
The game ebbed and flowed in the first half as both sides continued to attack and create chances:
Another free/kick from Ashbourne led to the second goal as Bretons cross was only cleared as far as Gemma Rock who finished smartly from the edge of the box to send Ashbourne into the break with 2/0 lead:
Eureka had a strong wind behind them in the second half and took the game to their opponents, creating chance after chance but failing to convert:
Ashbourne goalkeeper Ciara Dixon made three fantastic saves and centre/backs Aoife O’Rourke and Linda Breton defended excellently throughout:
Irish internationals Kelly Allen and Joanna Byrne pushed further forward for Eureka in the remaining 15 minutes in order to try find a way back into the game but Ashbourne continued to thwart the Eureka attack and Ashbourne midfielder Alison Jordan was a calming influence as she controlled possession and guided her side to the final whistle and into the Leinster Final:
Eureka: Claire Foley, Aideen Poole, Jackie Kavanagh, Kelly Aleen, Orlaith Duff, Joanna Byrne, Sarah Keane, Michelle Reilly, Rachel McGrath, Sinead Walsh, Ciara Carry, Aine Bennett, Jennifer Newman, Aine Fagan: Manager – Leonard Noone:
Ashbourne: Ciara Dixon, Danielle Farrell, Michelle Keogh, Alison Leahy, Alison Jordon, Gemma Rock, Shelby Leahy, Linda Breton, Hayley Lawton, Kate Hurley, Aoife O’Rourke: Manager – Declan Sheerin:
Goals: Linda Breton (Ashbourne) 12 mins, Gemma Rock (Ashbourne) 37 mins:
Referee: Michael Bryan
