Alexandra College, Dublin 4/1 Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny
Emily Beatty (27, 31), Deirdre Duke (37, 62) Amy Thompson (60)
Two goals apiece from duo Emily Beatty and Deirdre Duke ensured the Dublin girl’s progression to the Senior Cup Final after an eventful encounter in Kingspan Century Park this afternoon:
This eagerly anticipated fixture definitely lived up to expectations as both schools played some great football: Loreto dictated most of the first quarter and the absence of International star Ciara Grant was not noted immediately as Bird Carr’s team pressed forward at every opportunity:
Amy Thompson made a great run down the left wing feeding Lauren Harper in space: The young Schools International player whipped the ball into the box which was left deliberately by Natalie Sweeney for Marion Doherty to strike: The shot was drilled past the left post, a great opportunity spurned to make an impact early on:
Donegal’s Lauren Harper was lively up front after good work from Maria Carr but her second strike on goal of the afternoon was again wide of the mark:
Natalie Sweeney’s handy footwork in the box was cancelled out by some splendid defending by Rachel Healy and Emma Garvey:
Alex were awarded a free kick 2 minutes later and their best opportunity of the game came courtesy of Deirdre Duke from this set piece: The stinging effort from 15 yards rose inches high of the upright:
Natalie Sweeney played a great through ball into Captain Geraldine McLaughlin who shot from distance, the ball failed to put any pressure on keeper Alicia Hollywood:
With 25 minutes on the clock, Lauren Harper was again on the attack for the Letterkenny School: Her nifty quick feet saw her round the keeper but her first attempt hit the woodwork while her second was caught well by Hollywood who regained her composure:
Alex then took the initiative in the game via Emily Beatty: Deirdre Duke passed the ball wide to Aisling Burke who pressed forward and eventually released the ball to Beatty in the six yard box to slot past O’Donnell for her first of the afternoon:
Moments later Alex increased their goal tally with a great individual run by Beatty yet again: The impressive performance saw her round defenders Emer Gallagher and Nicola Meehan to beat the goalkeeper at her inside post:
Beatty was again on hand to set up Duke just before after time for Alex’s third of the afternoon: Meghan Healy advanced on goal which saw her release the ball to Beatty: Beatty then held the ball up and pulled back to Duke to power home a low shot to the bottom corner for a splendidly worked goal:
Loreto were lucky to see a claim of a penalty dismissed as Duke was taken down in the penalty area only minutes into the second half:
Good defending by Rachel Healy prevented Geraldine McLaughlin’s effort after a long throw in down the right from Nicola Meehan:
Loreto’s Amy Thompson got one back for the Ulster ladies with a high curling shot to the top corner on the hour mark: 3/1 with twenty minutes remaining, could Loreto make a remarkable comeback
Deirdre Duke was in prime position to dictate the next turn of events as she pressed forward in search of the killer goal to see off Loreto: Good link play with Emily Beatty saw Duke’s super shot from distance hit off the crossbar: Beatty was on hand to toy with the Ulster defence before she played the ball into the centre for Duke to reach: Her instinctive shot cut past O’Donnell at pace to register Alex’s fourth and her second of the day:
Loreto’s Lauren Harper and Laura Doherty came close in the dying minutes but couldn’t register on the score sheet:
Alexandra now progress to an All Ireland Senior Girls Final where they will meet Christ the King Secondary School of Cork in the finale:
Alexandra College: Alicia Hollywood, Rachel Healy, Emma Garvey, Erika Hinkson, Kate O’Donnell, Meghan Healy, Aisling Burke, Robin McCarton, Deirdre Duke, Emily Beatty, Juliet Beatty
Subs: Hannah McDermott, Grace Conway for Emma Garvey (45), Cathy McEvoy for Meghan Healy (79), Lucy O’Donoghue, Aisling Nugent for Emily Beatty (79), Ulrica Madden
Teacher: Dave Collins
Loreto Secondary School: MB O’Donnell, Emer Gallagher, Aisling Carlin, Nicola Meehan, Maria Carr, Laura Doherty, Amy Thompson, Geraldine McLaughlin, Natalie Sweeney, Lauren Harper
Subs: Sabhdha Medlar for Emer Gallagher (47), Alice Diver for Natalie Sweeney (47), Niamh McMenamin, Hannah Carr, Marion Doherty, Nadine Crawford for Nicola Meehan (67), Kaneshia McKinney, Rose Boyle for Amy Thompson (75), Darragh Kelly
Teachers: Brid Carr & Michelle Duffy
Referee: Paul McGeown (Monaghan)