ASHBOURNE CS 2 ST MAC DARA'S CC 1
A David Beckham-style wonder goal from striker Alisha Jordan in the final minutes of extra time won the FAI Umbro Schools Leinster final for Ashbourne Community School in Tullamore on Tuesday.
Facing Dublin side St Mac Dara's Community College, from Templeogue, in what turned out to be one of the most entertaining games of the season, it was a moment of genius from Ashbourne's star player that separated the sides at Leah Victoria Park.
On a rain-soaked day it was the Dublin school who were first out of the traps, with Jessica Lynch slotting home a Ciara Smith cross to give her side the lead after just two minutes.
Was it not for Ashbourne defender Aoife O'Rourke's brilliance early on, Mac Dara's may well have extended their lead before the Meath school could even get back into the game, and it was eventual match winner Alisha Jordan who went close with two efforts on goal to spur her side into life.
The equalising goal came after 20 exciting minutes, when Jordan stepped up to take a free kick on the edge of the box and, despite the efforts of Eilish McManus in goal, she rifled her shot into the back of the net.
Both teams cancelled each other out until the 35th minute when another run and cross from Smith down the right was spilled by Ashbourne keeper Ciara Dixon, but neither Jennifer Ferrari or Jessica Lynch could capitalise on the error and the ball was eventually cleared to safety.
Both teams continued to push forward and attack in the second half and in the 60th minute a Hayley Lawton through ball found Ally Leahy in acres of space and bearing down on goal but McManus was quick off her line to sweep up the danger.
McManus again had to be on her toes when she made two further top-class saves to deny Ashbourne in the closing stages of normal time.
Stalemate was the name of the game in extra time also, as the importance of the occasion obviously took its effect and while neither side wanted to lose the game it was the most outrageous attempt to win the contest that separated them in the end.
With less than two minutes to play in extra time and penalty kicks looking like the only way of dividing either side, Jordan popped up just inside the Mac Dara's half and unleashed an unstoppable drive from distance that caught the faultless McManus out and sailed over her head.
ASHBOURNE CS: Ciara Dixon, Heather Keogh, Danielle Farrell, Aoife O Rourke, Megan O Brien, Hayley Lawton, Alisha Jordan, Shelby Leahey, Linda Bruton, Noelle Francis, Katie Hurley.
ST MAC DARA'S CC: Eilish McManus, Stephanie O'Sullivan, Louise Dixon, Roisin Ellis, Helena Danaher, Ciara Maguire, Sarah Reid, Jennifer Ferrari, Jessica Lynch, Ciara Smith, Sara
