Rod Houston Cup
Schools Association Football International Board (SAFIB)
First Year Girls National Cup Champions (U14)
Silver medal for Sacred Heart School, Westport in Rod Houston Cup
Monday, October 15, 2018
ENGLISH starlets BOHUNT SCHOOL, WOKINGHAM dashed the dreams of Sacred Heart Schoolyesterday when they secured top spot in the annual Rod Houston Cup for the first time ever.
The Bohunt outfit dispatched the Westport side 2-1 in a tantalising conclusion to the three day tournament as wet and windy conditions hampered proceedings.
Both teams had convincing wins over the other title contenders St. Ivo School and Ysgol Cymraeg Bro Morgannwg of Barry so it was winner takes all on the third day of action.
Day 1
Bohunt School, Wokingham 6-0 St. Ivo School, Huntingdon
Sacred Heart School, Westport 2-0 Ysgol Cymraeg Bro Morgannwg
The opening day of the Rod Houston Cup kicked off on Friday evening in a rain soaked Lilleshall.
The first game in the series was an all English affair with Wokingham’s Bohunt School overcoming St. Ivo School, Huntingdon in impressive fashion. Freya Harris netted a hat-trick as well as a brace from Thomson (2) and a Molly McKeever special to ensure a smooth opening win for the newcomers.
Laura MORAN got the Republic of Ireland representatives off to a flying start in the tournament when she netted twice to take full points from the Barry girls in the other show stopper.
Day 2
Bohunt School 1-0 Ysgol Cymraeg Bro Morgannwg
St. Ivo School 0-4 Sacred Heart School
Saturday morning saw the Bohunt School fail to carry on their fabulous goal scoring momentum from their opening day assault as they faced into their penultimate outing with their Welsh counterparts Ysgol Cymraeg Bro Morgannwg.
Bohunt sealed the victory with a solitary goal from Mia Leonard coming ten minutes from time.
In the other fixture, Sacred Heart School made it two wins on the bounce with a dominant first half performance against 2016 Champions St. Ivo School. Goals courtesy of Leila O’MALLEY, Abi CONWAY (2) and Laura MORAN secured a comprehensive win.
Day 3
Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg 3-1 St. Ivo School
Bohunt School 2-1 Sacred Heart School
The final series of games on Sunday morning saw the Barry School, Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg defeat St. Ivo School’s 3-1 with a brilliant second half performance. Hannah Simpson converted from the spot for St. Ivo’s but the Welsh crew managed to convert their hat-trick of chances to take the points.
It was double celebrations for Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg as Saffron Bowen was announced as the Nigel Brown Award recipient following her outstanding contribution over the three games.
With the exciting building in anticipation of the top of the table clash, it was Bohunt who edged the opening exchanges in convincing fashion.
A first half brace courtesy of Molly McKeever and Mia Thompson ensured a two goal cushion for Bohunt at the interval.
The Westport girls were determined to press on and the inform Laura MORAN fired home a brilliant set piece to provide some wonderful excitement in the final twenty minutes.
However, Sacred Heart School couldn’t find that elusive equaliser and Bohunt held on bravely to win their first Rod Houston Cup title for the School.
The 2018 Champions notched up nine goals in three games, only conceding once to the Westport side as they proved worthy tournament winners.
SACRED HEART SCHOOL, WESTPORT | Katie McNea (Captain), Ella McHale, Aenea Breslin, Sophie Scahill, Ashling Duffy, Sorcha McArney, Aoife Staunton, Leila O’Malley, Maggie Chambers, Laura Moran, Cliodhna Casey, Abi Conway, Maya O’Toole, Emily Chambers, Milly Allen, Eimear Geraghty, Laura Masterson
TEACHERS | Fiona Casey, Annemarie O’Malley
ASSISANTS | Declan Moran, Megan Nugent, Jennifer Coughlan
END