Presentation Secondary School, Thurles through to National Cup decider
Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Senior Girls National Cup Semi Final
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Convent of Mercy, Roscommon 0-2 Presentation Secondary School, Thurles
Casey Hennessey (12), Lauren McCormack (65)
A goal in each half was enough for Presentation SS, Thurles to see off Convent of Mercy, Roscommon in the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Senior Girls National Cup Semi Final outing this afternoon in Athlone IT (February 1).
Casey Hennessy netted after just 12 minutes following some superb work by Emma O’Sullivan.
Jillian Banahan came agonising close to getting the Convent an equaliser ten minutes later but her effort just trailed past the far post.
Thurles felt they should have been two up before the break as a Clancy corner found the feet of Hennessy who quickly converted to O’Sullivan on the cramped six yard line for her to tap home. Unfortunately the goal was ruled off side. A light relief for Seán Boland’s team.
A solid defensive display by the Munster stars ensured Roscommon had a frustrating second period. The Thurles side were always dangerous on the counter attack and this proved the cause for the second of the day.
The Rosses party was ended midway through the half as U15 Girls’ Schools International triallist Aoibheann Clancy hit a long ball over the top for Lauren McCormack to chase. The youngster hit her stride and rocketed the ball into the bottom left corner leaving Kelly with no chance.
Jillian Banahan, Savannah Cassidy and Aisling Hanley weren’t given much room for manoeuvre upfront as Ciara Dwan and Sarah Foley kept a watchful eye on the trio.
Barry Ryan’s side will now meet Moville Community College in this season’s decider which has been pencilled in for Wednesday, February 21 as Home Farm FC play host (KO 1pm)
CONVENT OF MERCY, ROSCOMMON | Marie Kelly, Amy Curley (Captain), Kate McPhilips, Niamh Fitzgerald, Ellen Irwin, Ciara Corcoran, Sarah Scally, Aine Griffin, Aisling Hanley, Savannah Cassidy, Jillian Banahan
SUBS | Ciara Martin for Griffin (57), Enya Neacy for Banahan (70), Reece Higgins, Chloe McDonnell, Courtney Kelly
TEACHER | Seán Boland
PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOL, THURLES | Rachel Sweeney, Sarah Foley, Kate Sheridan, Ciara Dwan, Kate Cavanagh, Katie Ryan, Queva O’Meara, Aoibheann Clancy, Casey Hennessy, Emma O’Sullivan, Lauren McCormack
SUBS | Saoirse Teer for Sheridan (73), Emma Maher for Foley (80), Emer Harnett for O’Sullivan (80), Megan Quigley for O’Meara (80)
TEACHER | Barry Ryan
REFEREE: Leslie Buckley (Offaly)
