A GOAL IN each half was enough to see Moville Community College advance to the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Minor Girls National Cup Final yesterday in the Peace Link Sports Centre, Clones.
Moville Community College 2-0 Athlone Community College
The Donegal outfit return to winning ways after nearly two season’s absence at National level. They were up against a skilful side in Athlone Community College as the same squad scooped the First Year title last year under the leadership of Edel Menton.
However, it was the Ulster crew who took their chances in this competitive contest to ensure their tour continues.
Both sides played some attacking football early on with Athlone’s Aisling Walsh and Stephanie O’Neill carving out two or three great chances but Clodagh Skelly diverted the danger competently
It was on the stroke of half time that the determined Kate McClenaghan drove past the staunch Athlone defence to slot the ball past the diving Seery to break the deadlock.
With only four minutes of the second period in motion, it was the services of Jenny Seery that were called upon again as she denied Megan Havlin at point blank range, a stunning stop from the young netminder.
Athlone came within inches of snatching the equaliser as they pressed high up the park. Captain Angelina De Rosa walloped the ball off the Moville crossbar on 38 minutes. Again the woodwork came to the rescue as the ball bounced off the post following a well worked set piece from De Rosa and Greesley a few minutes later. Agony for the midlands’ ladies.
Any hopes of an Athlone comeback were dashed as Erin Coyle popped up two minutes from time with a powerful shot from distance. The ball rattled off the crossbar but fortunately went in off the keeper who couldn’t be faulted for the goal. Seery had been tremendous throughout the campaign for Menton’s side.
The Moville girls will await the winners of the other semi-final which sees Ballincollig Community College up against Claregalway College on Thursday at Pike Rovers FC, Limerick with a 1pm kick off organised. This should be another interesting challenge for the two schools involved.
Ballincollig had a comfortable victory over Coláiste Mhuire, Askeaton winning out 4-0. While Claregalway required additional time to overcome an experienced Dominican College, Taylor’s Hill side. They advanced on a 3-2 scoreline following extra time in Salthill Devon this week.
Moville mentors Kim Mullan and Seamus Gallagher will put the finishing touches to their All Ireland preparations as they await their opponents. The National Cup Final will take place in a neutral venue on Wednesday, April 20 (1pm).
Moville Community College: Clodagh Skelly, Claire Brown, Breena Diver, Danielle McLaughlin, Emma Doherty, Amelie Daly, Emer Gillen, Aoibh Faulkner, Megan Havlin, Erin Coyle, Kate McClenaghan. Subs: Connie Price, Tegan McCallion for Daly (59), Colleen McElroy, Niamh McDermott, Andrea McConnellogue, Cameron Mullan, Julia Brol
Athlone Community College: Jenny Seery, Breena Breheny, Róise Lennon, Megan McManus Rebecca Campion, Aimee O’Connor, Andrea Whyte, Aisling Walsh, Angelina De Rosa (Captain), Danielle Greesley, Stephanie O’Neill. Subs: Jasmine Maloney, Grace Hannon for Whyte (45), Laoise O’Brien, Megan Kelly for Walsh (25), Caoimhe Gavin, Tammy Finan, Annya Coyle, Lennon for Campion (53)
Referee: Seamus Finnegan (Monaghan)
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