FAI Schools Junior ‘B’ Girls National Cup Semi Final (Under 17, Small Schools)
Monday, February 20, 2023
Coláiste Iósaef, Kilmallock 1-0 Coola Post Primary School
Abbey Walsh (32)
KILMALLOCK outfit Coláiste Iósaef Community College secured their passage to this season’s FAI Schools Junior ‘B’ Girls National Cup Final following a goal from Abbey WALSH in a wind swept Maree Oranmore this afternoon (Monday, February 20)
The lively youngster converted three minutes from the interval to give the Munster Champions a slight advantage that they managed to hold onto despite Coola’s best efforts.
With 13 minutes on the clock, Coola’s Hayley Mullaney had a fantastic run toward goal but as she was about to pull the trigger, defender Eva Wormald made an incredible block to deny the striker.
The game ebbed and flowed with no clear cut changes created at either end until the deadlock was broken with 32 minutes played. The industrious Abbey WALSH slotted home a superb ball to the bottom corner leaving Hannah Hargadon no chance.
The Limerick starlets almost doubled their tally two minutes into the restart as Walsh played a delightful free kick on target but Hargadon pulled off a wonderful save and collected the rebounded shot to secure her teams survival early on.
Leanne Galvin missed a gilt edged chance to equalise on the hour mark as she had more time on the half volley than anticipated. The ball slicing wide of the upright.
While an indirect free kick two minutes from time saw Coola’s Orlaith Scanlon’s ball float agonisingly over the crossbar.
It was a tense conclusion to the Cup tie as Coola did their best to get that elusive equaliser but the experienced Kilmallock girls did extremely well in defence to see the game out.
The other semi-final will see Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair entertain CBS New Ross in Oriel Park, Dundalk tomorrow at 1.30pm.
Coláiste Iósaef will now prepare for the National Cup Final which is scheduled for next Wednesday, March 1 with a 1pm kick off.
COLÁISTE IÓSAEF, KILMALLOCK | Aoife Kennedy, Vicki Lee, Eva Wormald, Nicola Martin, Emma Halvey, Jade Conway, Niamh O’Donoghue, Lillian Hogan ©, Abbey Walsh, Jessica Heffernan, Annaliese Hogan
SUBS | Chloe Dempsey for Lee (63), Emma Egan, Aoibhínn Carroll, Adriana Alverez, Linda Thomas
TEACHER | Emma Cuddihy
COOLA POST PRIMARY SCHOOL, SLIGO | Hannah Hargadon, Ava Lyons, Ava Duggan, Aoibhínn Conlon, Gráinne Smith, Ciara Gilligan, Sophia Rose Henry, Leanne Galvin ©, Orlaith Scanlon, Hayley Mullaney, Leah Mullaney
SUBS | Katie Gilligan for L Mullaney (49), Aine Mostyn for H Mullaney (61), Brigid O’Reilly, Aisling Dwyer, Kayleigh Mullane Cronin
TEACHER | Eamonn Bruen
MATCH OFFICIAL | Vincent Carew (Galway)
