FAI Schools Senior ‘B’ Girls National Cup Semi Final
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Mulroy College, Milford 3-2 St. Joseph’s SS, Foxford
Catherine Grier (11, 75), Laura Dugera (50), Cliodhna Flynn (8, 26)
MULROY COLLEGE, MILFORD are inching closer to recapturing their FAI Schools Senior ‘B’ Girls National Cup title following a hat-trick of goals against Mayo side St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford in IT Sligo yesterday (January 15)
The Donegal side were a formidable force that optimised their experience at this level coming from behind to take the game five minutes from time.
However there was nearly a shock on the cards as the Foxford crew grabbed a splendid goal with eight minutes played to stun the Ulster & National Cup stars.
The impressive Cliodhna Flynn attempted an illustrious lob but Mulroy mastermind Clare Grier foiled her efforts but Flynn was on hand to latch onto the loose ball to slot home from an acute angle for the opener.
Their lead was reduced shortly after when Catherine Grier stuck from outside the box to stun the Foxford keeper Leah Joyce.
Again the Saints took the lead 15 minutes later through a peach from Flynn for her brace as she successfully lobbed Grier in the second time of asking and went into the break 2-1 up.
Mulroy’s equaliser came ten minutes in the restart as a Kellyann Buchanan corner was met by Laura Dugera at the far post for her to tap in.
The Champions found their form in the latter stages and International player Catherine Grier was on hand to grab her second of the afternoon and Mulroy’s third to seal the match winner with five minutes to go.
St. Joseph’s will feel that they should have got more from the game as they created a lot of good scoring opportunities through Flynn, McHugh and Traynor but both keepers were exceptional despite the five goal score-line.
The defending Champions will face either last season’s runners up Midleton College, Cork or St. Laurence College, Loughlinstown in the final. The other semi-final will take place on Thursday in the Regional Sports Centre in Waterford with a 12.30pm kick off pencilled in.
This will be Mulroy College’s eighth appearance at this stage of competition having captured the National title five times since the competitions inception in 2008, will a three in a row be on the cards? The National Cup Final is scheduled for Wednesday, January 30 (KO 1pm).
MULROY COLLEGE, MILFORD | Clare Friel (Captain), Siobhán Sweeney, Dearbhla McDevitt, Kelly Ann Buchanan, Eimear Sweeney, Catherine Grier, Laura Dugera, Keri Sweeney, Lisa Dugera, Maria Doherty
SUBS USED | Nicola Irwin (for Maria Doherty 52 mins), Anna McFadden (for Luara Dugera, 83mins), Kelly Ellis, Emma Price (for Lisa Dugera 42 mins), Colette McLaughlin
TEACHER | Karen Henry
ST. JOSEPH’S SS, FOXFORD | Leah Joyce, Lauren Smyth, Caitlin Bourke, Ciara Holmes, Alannah Flynn, Roisin Langan, Abbie Traynor (Captain), Dania Towey, Cliodhna Flynn, Leah McHugh, Michelle O’Hora
SUBS | Katie Casey, Ellie Ormsby (for Dania Towey 63 mins), Mila Sutoperra (for Michelle O’Hora 53 mins), Emily Yeates (for Roisin Langan 76 mins), Ailish Armstrong (for Lauren Smyth 76 mins)
TEACHERS | Ryan Merchant, Briege Blehein
REFEREE: Keenan Deering (Sligo)
