Carndonagh Community School1 – 4 Convent of Mercy, Roscommon
UMBRO FAI Schools Senior Girls National Semi-Final; Reporter, Ian Cooney at Lakeside Activity Centre, Ballyshannon
It may have taken them a while to get into their stride but when they did, there was no stopping the Convent of Mercy, Roscommon town as they swept aside the brave challenge posed by Carndonagh Community School to reach the All-Ireland final.
A brilliant second-half display sealed the deal as the Convent overturned a one-goal half-time deficit to run out comfortable winners.
The splendid full-sized astro-turf pitch at the Lakeside Activity Centre on the outskirts of Ballyshannon was bathed in sunshine for this semi-final clash. However, a strong wind made life difficult for the Convent, especially during the opening half when they played into the teeth of the elements.
They went behind in the sixth minute when, having been warned only moments earlier, they didn't deal with a corner and a combination of Janine Gordon and Danielle Gordon forced the ball over the line.
The Convent were visibly struggling to cope with the wind. More worryingly however, they were letting Carndonagh win all the 50/50 tackles and dictate the pace of the game.
Sean Boland's side did create a couple of half chances. Elaine Morris'corner broke back out to the left-winger but she dragged her shot wide of the near post.
Gertie Dowd, who later controlled the game alongside the imperious Anna McCormack, saw her shot from just outside the box spilled by Cardonagh goalkeeper Fiona Doherty but the Donegal school's netminder gathered at the second attempt. Another sniff at goal presented itself for Cheryl Scally but the alert Janine Gordon did enough and was happy to concede the corner.
Cliodhna McHugh, outstanding in her side's Connacht final success against Summerhill, created two chances. She pulled her first effort wide after combining cleverly with Aisling McHugh before the outstretched leg of Doherty denied her when played through by a searing run from the halfway line by Scally.
Carndonagh finished the half strongly and the Convent were grateful to goalkeeper Leona Doolin for keeping them in the game. Firstly, she denied Rosie McDonald at the second attempt after the dangerous Denise Doherty had cleverly squared the ball.
It could be argued, however, that the game's turning point arrived in the 35th minute when a long ball gave Doherty a clear run on goal but the county's multiple All-Ireland handball winner kept her side in the contest with a brilliant save.
With the wind behind them and the wise words of manager Sean Boland taken on board, the Convent dominated the second-half with an authority that was eventually reflected on the scoreboard.
The pressure mounted on the Carndonagh goal, aided by a couple of early corners from Anna McCormack that were just crying out to be finished to the back of the net. After Elaine Morris had spurned an early second-half chance, one such corner whizzed across the Carndonagh goalmouth but Aisling Lannon couldn't direct her header on target.
The equaliser arrived in the 51st minute. Aisling McHugh chased what seemed like a lost cause down the right wing but she succeeded in robbing Cardonagh defender Caroline Kelly. She played an intelligent ball into the path of Cheryl Scally and the striker finished to the corner of the net.
With McCormack and the impressive Dowd commanding the midfield, the Convent poured forward in search of a decisive second goal. Cliodhna McHugh should have provided it in the 54th minute when she fastened herself on to a long kickout but, once again, she was denied by Doherty's leg.
When Anna McCormack ballooned a free kick from a promising position over the bar minutes later, one wondered if it was going to be the Convent's day.
McHugh was unlucky when a deft chip from McCormack's cross landed on top of the net.
However, the Curraghboy girl didn't pass up the next chance that came her way. Through on goal again, she finished comfortably to give the Convent the goal they craved in the 66th minute.
The chances kept coming the Convent's way in the final quarter. McHugh couldn't keep another inviting ball whipped in by McCormack's right boot on target. Elaine Morris came closer but she could watch in agony as her flick from McCormack's corner came back off the crossbar.
The insurance goal did arrive three minutes from time. Once again, Aisling McHugh's persistence intercepted a Carndonagh kickout. Cliodhna McHugh duly received possession but her effort was cleared off the line. However, Scally, like all good strikers, anticipated the rebound and finished to the net.
The coup de grace was reserved for injury time when Cliodhna McHugh finished brilliantly with her left boot from just inside the box after being set up by the ever willing Morris.
History now beckons and no one could begrudge this talented group of players their shot at immortality.
CONVENT OF MERCY, ROSCOMMON: L. Doolin; A. Rogerson, E. Menton, A. Lannon, A. McNeill; A. McHugh, A. McCormack, G. Dowd, E. Morris; C. McHugh, C.
Scally.
CARNDONAGH COMMUNITY SCHOOL, DONEGAL: F. Doherty; C. Kelly, H. Kelly, J.
Gordon, L. Doherty; D. Gordon, G. Gordon, D. Foley, D. Doherty; R. McDonald, T. McCormack. Subs used: D. McLoughlin for Kelly (59 mins), K. Roddy for McCormack (60 mins), G. Byrne for D. Gordon (67 mins).
Referee: Ed Moore (Letterkenny)
ROSCOMMON HERALD - Player of the Match: Gertie Dowd (Convent of Mercy). While the Convent's two key players, Anna McCormack and Cliodhna McHugh, exerted their usual influence on proceedings, midfielder Gertie Dowd also enjoyed a fine match and epitomised her side's spirit in the second-half. She worked tirelessly for the cause and made some vital interceptions. Leona Doolin, Aisling Rogerson, Aisling McHugh, Cheryl Scally and Elaine Morris also delivered huge games for the Convent.