Presentation Secondary School, Thurles 1-0 Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny
Sarah McKevitt (39)
It was battle of the Presentation Secondary Schools as THURLES grabbed the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Senior Girls Cup title on Wednesday (February 24, 2016) defeating a talented Kilkenny side in a tense affair at the Waterford IT.
Despite a battling performance from Jenny Reddy’s girls, they were unfortunate not to break the deadlock for that all important equalizer. Once Thurles got their noses in front they refused to be beaten especially with a standout performance from the Thurles netminder Christine Coffey.
The game began with both sides playing very conservatively with no real clear cut chances created.
It wasn’t until the 26 minute when the first real opportunity of note came about when Lauren Valentine found herself in behind the back four, one on one with goalkeeper Coffey however before Valentine had a chance to pull the trigger she was ruled offside by referee Maher.
Minutes later Valentine again found herself in behind the Thurles back four this time escaping the offside trap but was denied brilliantly by a last ditch tackle from Thurles’s Katie Ryan.
On 39 minutes some good play from the Thurles girls saw Sarah McKevitt find herself 8 yards from goal with the ball at her feet as she fired home to give Thurles a precious advantage just before half time.
The interval seemed to work in Kilkenny’s favour as they started the half strongly. With Christine Coffey heavily involved with some crucial interceptions.
Thurles found themselves with a great opportunity 30 yards from goal however Sarah McKevitt’s free sailed narrowly wide of the Kilkenny goal.
Kilkenny then had a chance of their own as Ciara Delaney hit a thunderous volley from just inside the box but unfortunately for the Kilkenny School, her effort flew to the right and wide.
A strong challenge from Ally O’Keefe led to another Thurles free in a very threatening area, McKevitt stepped up again only to see her effort come smashing back off the Kilkenny crossbar.
Thurles finished the game camped in their own half but defended ruthlessly to hang on to their lead. Four minutes from the end Kilkenny had their final chance of the game, a free kick on the right hand side was swung in towards the Thurles goal and but for a match winning save from Christine Coffey Kilkenny came agonisingly close to levelling the match.
PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOL, KILKENNY: Cliodhna Kenny, Neasa Galway, Orlaith Conlon (Captain), Shauna Valentine, Ally O’Keeffe, Aobha O’Gorman,Ciara Phelan, Jenny O’Keeffe, Ciara Delaney, Lauren Valentine, Hannah Scott
SUBS: Leanne Murray, Ellen O’Carroll, Jeann De Toulgeot, Lizzie Buckley, Eadaoin Murphy, Lucy Power, Shannon Holohan
TEACHERS: Jenny Reddy, John McDonald
PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOL, THURLES: Christine Coffey, Norah Kennedy, Anna Gavin, Niamh O’Mahony, Katie Ryan, Casey Hennessy, Sarah McKevitt, Hazel McAuliffe, Cara O’ Connor, Robyn Moore (Captain), Shonagh Cleary
SUBS: Emer Harnett, Sarah Foley, Saoirse Teer, Georgina Abbott, Rachael Sweeney, Mary Burke
TEACHERS: Edel Harding, Barry Ryan
REFEREE: Christopher Maher (Waterford)