FAI Schools Senior ‘B’ Girls National Cup Semi Final (Under 20, Small Schools)
Friday, January 19, 2024
Coláiste Mhuire, Askeaton 2-1 CBS New Ross
Grace Fitzgibbon (17), Ruth Sheehy (32) Abbie Wallace (24)
COLÁISTE MHUIRE, ASKEATON saw off a late surge from CBS New Ross in the FAI Schools Senior ‘B’ Girls National Cup Semi Final in Cahir Park AFC this afternoon (January 19).
It was a pulsating contest which saw Askeaton under the cosh for the last 15 minutes of the game as their defensive line withstood a barrage of half chances late on from New Ross. This was followed up by the heroics of Hannah Neville between the posts for Coláiste Mhuire.
Wexford scholar Nora Purcell had the first real opportunity to open the scoring with a quarter of an hour played. Her delightful effort went agonising over the upright.
Íde Trant’s side took the lead midway through the first half as Grace FITZGIBBON’S audacious effort from distance saw a high ball lob Tara Davitt and smash into the top corner.
CBS sensation Abbie WALLACE equalised seven minutes later as she finished neatly past the diving Neville for a well taken equaliser.
The Limerick outfit retook the lead eight minutes from the interval when Ruth SHEEHY slotted home at the far post following a brilliantly taken corner from the talented Gemma Leahy.
The second half saw a forced substitution as the impressive New Ross keeper Tara Davitt picked up a knock and a tactically change saw Ellie O’Connell slot in between the posts while substitute Casey Codd made an appearance.
The Wexford crew were given a life-line when they were awarded a penalty on 67 minutes as Emma Rossiter’s strike was saved brilliantly by Hannah Neville. Unfortunately for Rossiter, her rebounded effort glanced wide of the mark as Askeaton rallied to celebrate Neville’s achievements.
New Ross threw everything into attack for the final period.
The industrious Nora Purcell had a glorious opportunity to take the game to extra time as she was one on one with the keeper six yards out but the final shot lacked power and Neville was able to capitalize and avert the danger with seconds of normal time remaining.
Again, Purcell headed over from a well taken corner two minutes into injury time as the Wexford school just couldn’t find that elusive equaliser.
Trant’s crew held out bravely for the final few tense minutes to ensure their passage into the National Cup Final.
Frustratingly New Ross went out at this stage last season when newbies Coláiste Oiriall of Monaghan netted a brace to see them advance.
Coláiste Mhuire will look forward to the next outing when they take on St. Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton in the FAI Schools Senior ‘B’ Girls National Cup Final on Wednesday, January 31 with a venue to be confirmed (1.0).
Manorhamilton overcome Connacht and National Cup Champions St. Joseph’s Secondary School of Foxford in their provincial decider last week with the game scoreless after extra time. They held their nerve on the penalty shoot-out, claiming a closely fought 3-2 victory. Their National Cup Semi-Final seemed an easier affair on paper as they overcame Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair 4-0 in Letterkenny last Tuesday.
The National Cup Final has all the makings of an epic thriller as the teams now prepare for the final test.
COLÁISTE MHUIRE, ASKEATON | Hannah Neville, Anna Fitzgerald, Jennifer Kelly, Rebecca Fitzgibbon, Aimee Sheahan ©, Grace Fitzgibbon, Maebh Mulcahy, Evelyn Fitzgerald, Abi Fitzgibbon, Ruth Sheehy, Gemma Leahy
SUBS USED | Leah Kelly for Maebh Mulcahy (54)
SUBS NOT USED | Jane Kelly, Katie Murray Maune, Caoimhe Hourigan, Sarah Walsh, Sarah Muane, Anna Madigan
TEACHERS | Íde Trant, Stephen Hackett
CBS NEW ROSS | Tara Davitt, Keelin Juul Jensen, Abbie Gaffney, Tara Roche, Molly Browne, Emma Rossiter ©, Abi Rossiter, Aoibh Thomas, Ellie O’Connell, Nora Purcell, Abbie Wallace
SUBS USED | Casey Codd for Tara Davitt (HT)
SUBS NOT USED | Tara Doyle Maher, Orla Doyle Maher, Lauren Egan, Emma Codd
TEACHERS | John Halligan, Barry Fitzpatrick
MATCH OFFICIAL | Michael Freiberg (Tipperary)