Grennan College, Thomastown 2 – 1 Scoil Ruain, Killenaule
Grennan College came from behind to seal a triumphant victory in the UMBRO FAI Schools Senior B Girls National Semi Final today (Tuesday, 10 March) after a spirited performance in Buckley Park, Kilkenny against neighbouring rivals Scoil Ruain, Killenaule, Thurles:
Leinster livewires beat Wilson Hospital School Multyfarnham 2/1 in extra time to progress to the National Semi Final stage: Manager, Eleanor Reddy was anxious heading into the big test but was fortunate with the day’s proceedings: Reddy was gifted two penalties, one in each half, to ensure a positive outlook on the game: The question was could her team capitalise on the opportunities awarded to them?
Munster legend’s Scoil Ruain were well prepared for the game with some staunch performances on route to their Provincial title: The best of these came in the Munster Final as the side bet a well fancied St: Mary’s Secondary School 4/2 to capture crowning glory: That hard fought test with St: Mary’s was a good stepping stone coming into this game:
In fact, Sean O’Regan’s side started the brighter with some sharp shooting early on courtesy of Niamh Horan and Shauna Hayes, their efforts striking the side netting on both occasions:
Reddy’s side seemed to settle into the game after twenty minutes and the girls reacted positively to the earlier pressure: The slight but dominating frame of Kilkenny’s Megan Farrell was dangerously sharp in the Thurles goal mouth and was causing concern for Scoil Ruain:
The game was opening up to some splendid passages of football: This period of play saw the first of Kilkenny’s spot kick’s awarded after an infringement in the box on 27 minutes:
Shauna O’Carroll’s thunderous shot was saved brilliantly by Killenaule keeper, Amy Hannigan:
This gallant save from Hannigan seemed to rally her troops, as Scoil Ruain sprung into action: Erin Slattery opened up Grennan’s defence to side step Kilkenny’s diving keeper Victoria Hanlon with 29 minutes on the clock:
Bridget Doyle had a commanding position down the right wing but her solo efforts were not maximised by the strike partnership of Bolger and Farrell:
1/0 to Scoil Ruain as the first half came to a conclusion:
The second half saw the introduction of Scoil Ruain’s Caroline Corbett for Niamh Horan and Kelly Hamilton for Annette Reddy of Grennan College: The fresh legs a welcome intro to the stamina sapping conditions:
With only three minutes registered in the second half, Grennan College were awarded their second penalty of the afternoon:
The Cats were determined to capitalise this time around: The inform Niamh Bolger was on hand to slot home neatly to the left leaving the sides level on one apiece (1/1):
The physicality of Aimee O’Brien (nicknamed Mush) was difficult for the Cats to manage and her powerful effort down the right was only matched by a side netting finish on 65 minutes:
Grennan’s charge on goal, two minutes later, left Scoil Ruain’s number one, Amy Hannigan under pressure: Her effort to intercept the ball was fumbled but twinkle toes, Farrell could not capitalise on a clear opportunity to increase the Cats lead:
Shauna O’Carroll had a great game down the wing for Grennan College and her playful antics was nearly awarded with 70 minutes played: Her speedy solo run and snap shot effort just sailing over the upright:
Grennan College introduced their second substitute of the afternoon and this would prove to be a decisive move for Reddy’s side: The school’s goal scorer, Niamh Bolger was replaced by Megan Hayes in the 73rd minute:
Now with only minutes remaining, the game needed something special to produce a winner: The moment came shortly after as Grennan College’s strike duo of Megan Farrell and super sub Megan Hayes increased their dominance in the game:
An excellent clearance from Grace Clarke in defence found Farrell on her own in the Cat’s half:
Farrell’s menacing run soon found her surrounded by advancing Thurles players but she quickly managed to surpass the defensive onslaught to clear the ball to the creative Hayes who found space down the centre:
Hayes looked again for Farrell who was now edging herself to the goal mouth; a sweet left footed pass from Hayes found Farrell itching to strike: Her shot was coolly fired home to rattle the opposite corner of the net:
The wonderful goal sealing victory for the Cat’s and a place in the National Final which will see them face Donegal’s Mulroy College of Milford:
Grennan College, Thomastown: Victoria Hanlon, Jessie Carroll, Grace Clarke, Aine Lannon, Nicola Dunphy, Sinead Stapleton, Shauna O’Carroll, Annette Reddy, Niamh Bolger, Megan Farrell, Rachel O’Carroll
Subs: Kelly Hamilton for Annette Reddy (45mins), Megan Hayes for Niamh Bolger (73mins), Katie Walsh, Nicola Conway, Lianne Conway, Chloe Gowthy, Alison Murphy:
Teacher: Eleanor Reddy
Scoil Ruain, Killenaule: Amy Hannigan, Alison Gaynor, Aine O’Donovan, Bridget Doyle, Erin Slattery, Cait Murphy, Michelle Meagher, Alice Meagher, Niamh Horan, Aimee O’Brien, Shauna Hayes
Subs: Amanda De Silvia, Laura Doyle for Bridget Doyle (60mins), Caroline Corbett for Niamh Horan (45mins), Deirdre O’Donovan, Sharon Grace
Teacher: Sean O’Regan
Referee: James Nolan
Please see photo gallery for more images of the game's proceedings