FAI Schools Umbro 1st Year Girls Cup Competition
Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana Scoop Top Prize
Willow Park was the venue for the 1st Year Girls Cup Competition at the weekend. The round robin format produced a pulsating finish to the competition in a sun soaked Athlone with Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana crowned All Ireland Champions.
Alexandra College, Dublin v Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana:
The Cup campaign started on Saturday afternoon with Maria Browne, Scoil Mhuire snatching a well deserved equaliser in the dying seconds of the game to draw with Alexandra College, Dublin. The late equaliser cancelled out Hannah McDermott’s earlier effort. This result left both sides with 1 point from their opening encounter.
St. Mary’s Secondary School, Ballina v St. Caimin’s Community School, Shannon:
St. Caimin’s of Shannon overcame a determined St. Mary’s of Ballina by the smallest of margins to ensure their first 2 points of the day. Sinead Tuohy of Shannon was on hand to slot past the diving keeper Cathy Higgins.
St. Caimin’s Community School v Scoil Mhuire & St. Mary’s, Ballina v Alexandra College:
Saturday evening produced the next fixture as Munster Champions took on the force of Ulster and the Leinster Ladies squared up to the crafty Connacht outfit.
The large gathering experienced a goal famine in one contest with St. Caimin’s and Scoil Mhuire failing to rattle the net and then surprising a marathon of goals in the other contest with 6 magically strikes in 50 minutes. Alex’s first two goals came courtesy of Hannah McDermott with Rebecca Kavanagh securing the third. Jessica Callaghan netted twice and Alicia Bernard scored the third for St. Mary’s to clinch the equaliser.
This resulted in all four schools adding 1 point to their afternoon’s tally.
The Finale
There were three schools in the bid for glory heading into the last game on Sunday morning.
The tie ensured that each school would challenge to the end to produce a memorable moment in the history of their sporting school calendar.
St. Caimin’s looked the more likely to secure the silverware with them topping the leader board on 3 points however hot on their heels were Alexandra College and Scoil Mhuire sharing the spoils with 2 points each.
With both fixtures kicking off simultaneously there was no knowing who would be victorious.
Similar scenes were played out when Manchester United travelled to Wigan and Chelsea were at home to Bolton Wanderers for the coveted Premiership title. Super Sunday indeed with the Umbro Cup title up for grabs.
Alexandra College v St. Caimin’s:
Alex were anxious to stamp their authority on the game against Cup favourites St. Caimins.
It wasn’t long before Alexandra College were given that opportunity when they tested the Shannon keeper, Niamh Murray with a long range effort from Ella McNulty after seven minutes.
Richard Grime’s girls responded well with a snap shot sailing wide of the right after twenty minutes.
Both defences were extremely busy with birthday girls Cathy McAvoy and Hannah Levins combining well to clear their lines after severe pressure from Shannon striker Brid Enright.
It took a second half cracker from Alexandra to break the deadlock. Top scorer in the competition Hannah McDermott marked her 4th goal in the competition with a close range effort after a short burst of speed took her away from the defence to round the keeper.
Alex knew one goal was not enough to capture the silverware as St. Mary’s and Scoil Mhuire had their shooting boots on in the other decider.
Unfortunately neither side improved on their goal tally with the game ending with a 1 – 0 win to Alexandra.
St. Mary’s, Ballina v Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana:
St. Mary’s of Ballina were stars in the making having previously scored three exceptional goals against the skilful Alexandra team in their previous encounter, however the top prize was out of their grasp in the final game of the morning which saw them up against the inform Scoil Mhuire.
This, however, did not deter St. Mary’s from putting on a marvellous performance for their travelling supporters that would make any school proud.
They made Scoil Mhuire work extremely hard in defence as early signs showed St. Mary’s dominating proceedings in the first ten minutes. Scoil Mhuire were slow to start but made a positive impact on the game with a goal early on courtesy of Emma Breslin.
It wasn’t long for St. Mary’s to regain their momentum and score an equaliser when the Connacht side were awarded a penalty. Ciara Bourke stepped up to fire the ball into the net.
Scoil Mhuire took the lead again after some good work in midfield which saw an exceptional ball delivered to the feet of Captain Sarah Parker. Her fancy footwork led her to tap the ball in from close range.
St. Mary’s thrived on the pressure and again levelled the game at 2 – 2 for a second time. Their second goal came from Allana Naughton, who scored a cracker of a goal outside the 6 yard box. Despite the superior play of Ballina, Scoil Mhuire managed to end the half 3 – 2 in front with a fantastic shot from Maria Browne that crept past the Mayo Keeper.
David Deeney’s Ulster side dug deep and executed another well taken goal in the second half with Sarah Parker getting her second of the match. The Donegal defence grew more confident as the match progressed and held their nerve as St. Mary’s increased the pressure on goal.
You had to admire the attitude of the St. Mary’s players as they fought to the end to ensure a very entertaining game.
There were cheers of joy as the final whistle was blown with Buncrana winning 4 – 2.
Top Spot
The contest was decided on goal difference after Alexandra College and Scoil Mhuire were tied on four points each.
There were jubilant scenes in Willow Park when Scoil Mhuire were crowned All Ireland Champions.
Bitter disappoint for Alexandra as they came so close to claiming the title. However they must take heart from their performance over the course of the weekend with some marvellous performances from the squad.
St. Caimin’s and St. Mary’s were gracious in defeat and proved that their excellence in this competition will ensure a bright future for girl’s football in their school for many years to come.
TEAMS:
St. Mary’s Secondary School, Ballina: Cathy Higgins, Ellan Keane, Tess Grant, Megan Nolan, Lorraine Gilmartin, Alanna Naughton, Nessa Quinn, Ciara Bourke, Rebecca McLoughlin, Jessica Callaghan, Ally Bernard
Subs: Chelsea Farrell, Donna O’Hora, Elaine McGurrin, Bernie Collins, Laura O’Rourke
Teacher: Ciaran Allen
St. Caimin’s Community School, Shannon: Niamh Murray, Beth Duane, Amy Heffernan, Christine Collins, Sinead Tuohy, Laura McMahon, Nicole Kelly, Vanessa Mann, Brid Enright, Claire O’Brien, Aisling Hassett.
Subs: Rachel Scanlon, Eimear Murray, Jessica Ryan, Julianne Murray, Alisha Noonan.
Teacher: Richard Grimes
Alexandra College, Dublin: Becky Russell, Cathy McAvoy, Hannah Levins (Capt), Rebecca Kavanagh, Victoria Gaskin, Meghan O’Donnell, Aideen Cowhey, Juliette Beatty, Hannah McDermott, Ella McNulty, Rebecca O’Byrne O’Reilly.
Subs: Lorna Chow, Penny Duffy, Nessa Coman, Ulrika Madden, Maureen Coonagh
Teachers: Dave Collins, Kevin Ellis & Katie Jackson
Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana: Lauren Coyle, Elaine Coyle, Shauna Doherty, Erin Quinn, Aoife Porter, Maria Browne, Emma McGrath, Emma Breslin, Sarah Parker (Capt), Kellie McBride, Sinead McColgan
Subs: Megan McConalogue, Taylor Walsh, Siobhan McCracken, Louise McGonagle.
Teachers: David Deeney & Paddy Carr
RESULTS:
Saturday 10th May 2008 @ 12pm
Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana 1 – 1 Alexandra College, Dublin
St. Mary’s, Ballina 0 - 1 St. Caimin’s, Shannon
Saturday 10th May 2008 @ 5pm
St. Caimin’s, Shannon 0 – 0 Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana
Alexandra College, Dublin 3 – 3 St. Mary’s, Ballina
Sunday 11th May 2008 @ 11am
St. Mary’s, Ballina 2 – 4 Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana
St. Caimin’s, Shannon 0 – 1 Alexandra College, Dublin
Winners: Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana
Runners Up: Alexandra College, Dublin
END