A HELEN MONAGHAN hat-trick ended Scoil Mhuire’s All-Ireland hopes yesterday at Gortakeegan.
Ursuline College, Sligo 3-1 Scoil Mhuire SS, Buncrana
Monaghan netted a treble in the county she shares her name with to give Ursuline College glory in the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools First Year Girls final.
In a real end to end decider played in front of surely one of the most partisan atmospheres Monaghan United’s home ground has even witnesses it was the Donegal school who struck first through their match winner in the semi-final Grace McColgan on 11 minutes.
[adrotate group=”62″]The Connacht Champions got back on terms on 18 minutes as Monaghan opened her account from the penalty spot but it was only with 10 minutes of the game remaining that they put the game to bed with two more from the stylish midfielder.
It was anyone’s game up to that point as both sides counter attacked effectively with the twin sister midfield partnership of Beth and Brianna Doherty playing some great balls up to lone striker Begona Pinero Quintana.
The Spanish midfielder had been the hero in the Ulster Final but a combination of last ditch defending and some neat saves from Megan Byrne in the Ursuline goal helped keep her at bay.
[adrotate group=”46″]Ursuline turned up the heat as the second half reached the midway point however as substitute Sophie McGoldrick proved a particular thorn in the Mhuire defence and she was centrally involved as they edged ahead.
The key moment came at the 45 minute mark when McGoldrick bore down on goal and appeared to be fouled by Mhuire ‘keeper Niamh Doherty but the referee intelligently played advantage and when Ursuline recycled Monaghan finished emphatically for her second.
Monaghan’s insurance goal on 50 minutes put some gloss on the win as she burst forward before firing a brilliant shot into the top left corner.
[adrotate group=”43″]While Davy Hone’s girls were bitterly disappointed at the final whistle, they will never forget McColgan’s opening goal that sent the travelling support from Donegal wild.
Playing behind striker Quintana, the Scoil Mhuire midfield were picking her up in good areas from early on and, when Brianna Doherty released her in behind the Ursuline defence on 11 minutes, she placed her low drive from the edge of the box perfectly into the bottom right corner.
Scoil Mhuire: Niamh Doherty, Ava Rukers, Saoirse McEleney, Emma McCallion, Georgina Rudden, Beth Doherty, Mariah McColgan, Grace McColgan, Brianna Doherty (Captain), Ewelina Smolen, Begona Pinero Quintana. Subs: Ciara Porter, Teigan Quinn, Donna Donaghey, Hollie Doherty, Leah McColgan, Lauren McDaid, Paige Ferguson
Ursuline College: Megan Byrne, Emma Corcoran, Allanah Gallagher, Shona Dalton, Oda Carty, Sophie McDonagh (Captain), Helen Monaghan, Aoife McLaughlin, Laura Oates, Cathy Harrison, Sarah Gillen. Subs: Sophie McGoldrick for S Gillen (27 mins), Eden Rooney, Emma Shanley, Ingrid Shiels, Sandra Bladycz
Referee: Frank McConnell (Cavan/Monaghan)
