FAI Schools Junior Girls National Cup Semi Final (Under 17, Large Schools)
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Presentation SS, Wexford 4-0 Carndonagh Community School
Olivia Morris (2), Izzy Finney (31), Emma Cullen (37, 51)
ARDEE CELTIC played host to the delayed FAI Schools Junior Girls National Cup Semi Final clash last Friday (April 28) with Presentation SS, Wexford winning comfortably to see past Ulster kingpins Carndonagh Community School.
The Wexford side got on the scoresheet two minutes in as Olivia MORRIS’ rocket from distance left Melanie McGoldrick no chance.
Former Under 15 Schools International Cache Crumlish and Caitlin Doherty both forced Wexford keeper Maeve Kenny into two good consecutive saves to keep the deficit to one.
At the other end of the pitch, McGoldrick pulled off an excellent save at full stretch to deny a fabulous Aisling Roche effort half-way through the first period.
Caitlin Doherty saw a good chance dragged wide of the far post just before the half hour mark.
Then Presentation SS, Wexford extended their advantage in this Cup tie with a superb goal on 31 minutes. Lucia Donohue with the initial free kick hitting the crossbar and Izzy FINNEY was quickest to react and slot the rebound past McGoldrick.
Carndonagh responded almost immediately with Crumlish testing Kenny between the posts again and the netminder duly obliged with a fine save.
Wexford got their third of the afternoon three minutes before the interval with Captain Emma CULLEN’S header on target so the Leinster Champions went in 3-0 up at the break.
The busy Maeve Kenny was called into action five minutes into the restart with an excellent intercept to deny the on rushing Maeve Doherty for Carndonagh.
A mix up with the Carn goalkeeper and her defender saw Emma CULLEN’S second goal and Wexford’s fourth trickle into an empty net on 51 minutes.
Scott Gaynor was able to clear out his bench in the latter stages to give his full squad a good run out against the hardworking Carn outfit. Unfortunately Danielle Doherty’s crew couldn’t break down the Wexford defence and the Kenny / Morris combo kept their clean sheet.
Presentation Secondary School, Wexford will face Coláiste na Coiribe of Galway in this season’s decider.
The Galway School saw off Scoil Mhuire agus Íde, Newcastle West one-nil in Tulla at the start of March. They have since qualified for the Minor Girls National Cup Final too as they face Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny in that encounter. Their First Year Girls are also in contention for a third Connacht Cup title when they take on Presentation College, Athenry this Friday morning in Oranmore.
The FAI Schools Junior Girls National Cup Final is scheduled for next Tuesday, May 9 at Portlaoise AFC (1.0).
PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOL WEXFORD | Maeve Kenny, Caoimhe Carley, Lucia Donohoe, Eimear Roches, Lauren Kehoe, Olivia Morris, Aisling Roche, Zara Corrigan, Emma Cullen ©, Izzy Finney, Niamh White
SUBS | Ellen Goggin for Morris (52), Muireann Hynes for White (59), Isabel Morris (GK) replaces Kenny (69), Lily McLoughlin for Roche (74), Julie Rankin for Finney (78)
TEACHER | Scott Gaynor
CARNDONAGH COMMUNITY SCHOOL | Melanie McGoldrick, Cora Ward, Eimear Devine, Zoe McLaughlin, Keisha Friel, Bronagh Butler, Jenna Gallagher, Aoife McCarron, Cache Crumlish, Caitlin Doherty, Maeve Doherty
SUBS | Jamie Lee Collins for J Gallagher (41), Leona Duffy for M Doherty (62), Grace McConclogue for Devine (78), Enya Toland, Aoibheann Hirrell
TEACHER | Danielle Doherty
MATCH OFFICIAL | Brendan Doyle (Louth)
