Loreto Convent, Letterkenny 1-0 Sacred Heart School, Westport
The Showgrounds in Sligo was the setting for the Minor Girls National Semi Final last week as two kingpins of schools soccer took to the field in this fantastic fixture.
Both schools are no strangers to the All Ireland series as Connacht’s skilful Sacred Heart School secured the Junior All Ireland title (08) and the Minor All Ireland title (06) as well as Provincial honours. The Ulster contingency under the leadership of Brid Carr and Michelle Duffy were gunning for glory as they suffered narrow defeats in last season’s campaign at National level. However you must remember that the school managed to capture the Senior & Junior Ulster titles (08).
Would Letterkenny’s draught on the National stage be repeated this time around, only Seamas McCafferky’s outfit had the answers!
Donegal keeper Shauna Patterson was tested early on as Mayo’s Aisling Duffy had a quick snap shot on goal but her effort was palmed away to safety. The resulting corner by Lauren Burke was collected coolly by Patterson under pressure.
Lauren Harper was clear on goal for the Convent girls but her nerves got the better of her and her strike sailed wide with seven minutes gone.
This period of play saw the Ulster ladies advance to the Westport half with Nicola O’Malley proving her defensive worth on a number of occasions for Sacred Heart.
Alice Diver and Kaneisha McKinney linked well in midfield with McKinney’s effort lacking the killer punch.
With a quarter of an hour played Letterkenny had their second clear chance on goal courtesy of Eimear Shoulin but she couldn’t capitalise on this and her strike sailed over the crossbar.
The inform Lauren Harper found herself in space with a fantastic through ball from Rose Boyle. Harper was one on one with defender Emily Keane but the Donegal native outpaced her to slot home from six yards. 1-0 to Letterkenny with 20 minutes played.
Harper was proving lively up front and the striker had a number of opportunities to add to her goal tally, fortunately O’Grady was in fine form in the Mayo net to deny the youngster.
Rose Boyle increased the tempo of Donegal’s performance with some telling runs down the wing. She was unlucky not to score when her effort hit the side netting on 26 minutes.
With the stroke of half time approaching Westport impressed with Aisling Duffy advancing on the Donegal goal. Her cross into the box was gathered by Patterson but she fumbled the ball and was lucky that colleague Aisling Ferry was present to clear the impeding danger.
The second half was frantic with both teams showing a desire to win. Sacred Heart got off the mark with a free kick early in proceedings. The 25 yard effort was well struck by Gabrielle Keegan but Shauna Patterson was determined to keep a clean sheet and she jumped high to collect under pressure.
Loreto broke on the counter attack with Patterson supplying Harper immediately. Alice Diver assisted the build up play but Serena O’Shea was well aware of the dangers and reacted quickest to clear her lines.
Rose Boyle was awarded a penalty after she was fouled in the box but her effort from the resulting spot kick was drilled down the centre and O’Grady stood firm to save dramatically.
With forty minutes on the clock, Sacred Heart broke down the right courtesy of a great run by Allison Foy. Her efforts resulted in a corner. Up stepped Keegan to whip in an excellent ball which Laura Keane connected with sweetly but her attempt could only reach the side netting.
McCafferky’s advice was noted as his player’s applied more pressure on the Donegal defenders. Laura Keane’s snapshot on goal was half cleared by the keeper, however Patterson was again first to react to the rebounding effort as she drilled the follow up ball to safety.
Aoife McGuire was introduced for Niamh McNea on 51 minutes.
Two minutes later, Sacred Heart came forward again with Aisling Duffy crossing to Allison Foy at midfield. The partnership working well as Foy let through Duffy on goal. Her strike was blocked by Nadine Crawford of Donegal, the result a corner kick to Westport.
Keegan tried to pick out Lauren Burke but Sabha Medlar read the play and intercepted the cross in mid air.
Letterkenny’s Alice Diver had a good run down the centre of the field on the hour mark. Unfortunately her pass had too much pace on it for Lauren Harper to connect.
This was to be the last action of the game as the Loreto ladies held on for a marvellous win.
Disappointment for Sacred Heart but I have no doubt they will be back again to fight another day.
Loreto Convent, Letterkenny: Shauna Patterson, Nicole McLaughlin, Nadine Crawford, Aisling Ferry, Jamie Murray, Sadhbha Medlar, Alice Diver, Kaneshia McKinney, Rose Boyle, Lauren Harper, Eimear Shoulin.
Subs: Annie Carr, Niamh McGinley, Aoife Moore, Emma Tracey, Shannon Duffy.
Teachers: Brid Carr & Michelle Duffy
Sacred Heart School, Westport: Shelly O’Grady, Emily Keane, Siobhan Golden, Serena O’Shea, Nicola O’Malley, Allison Foy, Laura Keane, Niamh McNea, Aisling Duffy, Lauren Burke, Gabrielle Keegan
Subs: Ursula Salmon, Tara Hastings, Clara Tierney, Aoife McGuire, Katie Hyland
Teacher: Seamas McCafferky
Referee: Ronnie Melly (Sligo)