Eureka Secondary School, Kells 2/0 Crana College, Buncrana
Shianne Swarres (15), Catherine Doley (29)
Athlone Town FC was the venue for the First Year Girls Final on Tuesday last (May 17) as Eureka Secondary School made it one win out of four All Ireland appearances this season with a 2/0 victory over Crana College to claim the coveted title:
Ulster stars Crana College just weren’t in the running as two goals in the first half sealed the title for the Meath School: Somewhat justice for the Kells based school who were runners up in the All Ireland First Year Futsal Finals earlier in the year and a defeat at the hands to Ulster outfit Loreto SS, Letterkenny last month in the Senior Girls Final:
The taste of success was euphoric as the final whistle was blown and a pitch invasion was the scenes in Lissywollen as the spectators, teachers and players celebrated the fine victory:
Buncrana had the first of the chances as eight minutes was registered when Clare McColgan fired a powerful shot towards goal, hitting the side netting much to the relief of Amy Gaynor in the Kells goal:
Super star Shianne Swarres was leading her team out for their final game of the season and she definitely played a pivoted role in her schools success: The youngster who plays her club football for St: Ultan’s Eureka was in fine form as she descended time and time again on Karen Kelly’s territory:
Swarres saw her first attempt sail inches over the crossbar on 13 minutes, followed seconds later by her second attempt from the keepers kick out:
Two minutes later, Swarres cut down from the left wing and struck a well placed strike that lobbed the keeper and saw the ball rattle the back of the net as a quarter of a hour approached:
Jerry Casey was enthusiastic on the touch line and made it quite clear to his charges to man mark the spritely Swarres to avoid another knock to their confidence:
However the Buncrana School conceded a second time just before the interval as the skilful and industrious Catherine Doley set in a screamer of a shot past the on/running Kelly in goal: The ball bobbled a distance before drifting into the bottom corner for Kells’ second of the afternoon
Crana had to make some major changes and didn’t wait too long before introducing Antonia Smith and Clodagh McColgan for the hard working Clare McColgan and Louise Devlin:
Catherine Doley combined well with Edith Lynch down the left for Hannah Quinn to run onto a long pass in space: Quinn spotted Marian Farrelly free in the box but her effort was well blocked by Denise McLaughlin:
Ella McLaughlin was working well in the middle of the park and picked up an injury deep into the second period: McLaughlin remained on the field willing her colleagues for a late revival:
Marian Farrelly had an excellent shot saved by the busy Karen Kelly as the game ticked down:
Swarres and Doley combined well in the box but the goalkeeper was well aware of the threat posed and incepted bravely to deny the youngsters:
This was the final action of the game as Captain Swarres’ name was echoed in the stands as Kells claimed their first All Ireland title this season:
EUREKA SS: Amy Gaynor, Aine Brennan, Amber McMahon, Shianne Swarres, Edith Lynch, Catherine Doley, Hannah Quinn, Lauren Keagan, Marian Farrelly, Kara O’Rourke,
Niamh O’Keffee,
Other subs: Jessica Henry, Amy Smyth, Lucy Turley, Megan Foley, Aoife McKeever
Teacher: Leonard Noone, David Brennan
CRANA COLLEGE: Karen Kelly, Aoife McMonagle, Ella McLoughlin, Denise McLaughlin, Leanne Kelly, Claire McColgan, Louise Delvin, Munrossa Duffy, Amy Diner, Allison McGonagle, Emma McGonagle
Other subs: Clodagh McColgan, Aimee Casey, Antonia Smyth, Jacqueline Grant, Leah Ryan
Teacher: Jerry Casey
REFEREE: PJ Higgins (Athlone)