Goals the key as Moate CS are crowned Leinster champions

LGFA: Lidl Leinster Post-Primary Schools Under-14 ‘A’ final

Moate CS 4-9 Scoil Chríost Rí 2-11

By Eamon A. Donoghue

Moate Community School's ability to score goals was the difference as they overcame Scoil Chríost Rí in the Leinster Schools U14 ‘A’ final at Gracefield GAA grounds on Thursday of last week.

The Moate girls were able to score goals at vital times and this proved key to their win. Wind assisted in the first half, the Westmeath school had the perfect start, going 1-2 to 0-0 up in the first eight minutes. Anna Ryan scored Moate’s first goal, giving her side the platform to take a grip on the game and they didn’t let go.

Moate’s Ally Duffy and excellent joint captain Chloe Malone scored further first half goals to put their side 3-4 to 0-7 in the ascendancy at half-time.

Moate were 2-4 to 0-2 ahead by the 18th minute. They had the foundations built by then for the win. Scoil Chríost Rí did gain momentum and dominance in the second quarter, but the Portlaoise girls couldn’t find the Moate net. They did kick some excellent scores, Molly Jane Dempsey with 0-4, keeping the Laois school in the game by the interval.

Scoil Chríost Rí had the perfect start to the second half. They scored 1-2 without reply, Dempsey with 1-1, and the game was back on. Moate led by 3-5 to 1-9 in the 35th minute.

Moate extended their lead with scores from Heather Touhey, Katie Meares and Ryan. Try as they did, the Portlaoise outfit couldn’t find the target for about ten minutes when they had their best spell in the game possession wise.

Moate looked like they had done enough, leading 3-9 to 1-10 when Blathnaid Kehoe rattled the Moate net. Immediately after the goal, Mia Delaney kicked a score and suddenly the game was back on again with Moate leading 3-9 to 2-10 (45th minute).

Dempsey then kicked a monster free from some 40 metres to cut the arrears to the bare minimum. But immediately Moate went up the other end and though Meares hit the post with her goal attempt, substitute Sorcha Aspell beat Leah Brophy to find the net.

Scoil Chríost Rí bombarded the Moate goalmouth in the final minutes of the game in search of a goal. They attacked time after time, with Delaney and Kara Phelan driving their side forward. But they kept looking to find that goal, when points could have got them closer on the scoreboard. They never gave up but they were always second best on the day.

Moate could score goals and that ability kept them clear and safe from any ambush from their opponents. They had pace all over the field - pace that could get them past the first tackler and create those goal opportunities. They hit the post twice and could have scored more than four goals, but they did what they needed to do in order to claim a deserved victory.

Player of the match: Anna Ryan (Moate CS). It was almost impossible to pick one as Moate had a number of players that played crucial roles in the win. Their defence was generally rock solid as a unit. Both midfielders were excellent. Chloe Malone could up her game when it suited her and put her team back in control and she was supported by industrious partner Heather Touhey. In attack, all six contributed with Ryan a constant threat and, scoring 1-2 from play, she just gets the accolade.

For Scoil Chríost Rí, Mia Delaney and Molly Anne Dempsey were both excellent, while Saffron Adams and Kara Phelan also look like players that could go play at inter-county level with Laois.

Key moment: It could be argued between Moate’s first goal, scored by Anna Ryan, or their fourth, from substitute Sorcha Aspell. The first gave Moate the platform for the win; the fourth ended any hopes of a Scoil Chríost Rí comeback.

Scorers - Moate CS: C Malone 1-3 (2f), A Ryan 1-2, A Duffy 1-0, S Aspell 1-0, H Touhey, K Lynam, K Mears, D Heavin 0-1 each. Scoil Chríost Rí: M Dempsey 1-6 (3f), M Delaney 0-4, B Kehoe 1-0, M Fitzpatrick 0-1.

Moate Community School: Lily Daly, Libby McHugh, Riona Foley, Laura Fox, Lucy Martin, Hannah Pratlett, Mella Casey, Chloe Malone, Heather Touhey, Kelly Lynam, Heidi Murray, Katie Meares, Ally Duffy, Anna Ryan, Daisy Bucys McLaughlin. Subs used: Diana Heavin for Casey (38), Aoibheann Kelly for Fox (55), Sorcha Aspell for Lynam (55). Rest of panel: Aisling Gormley, Caoimhe Brady, Ellen Madden, Grace Dolan, Rachel Coghlan, Doireann Keena, Lucy Murphy, Sarah Condon, Lucy Keane, Niamh Treacy, Ruby Phelan, Wiktoria Wziatek, Niamh Noone.

Scoil Chríost Rí, Portlaoise: Leah Brophy, Rosa Conroy Murphy, Lilly Brophy, Heidi Browne, Alix Culleton, Kara Phelan, Kara Powders, Amarachi Obi, Saffron Adams, Mia Delaney, Grainne Coleman, Molly Fitzpatrick, Molly Jane Dempsey, Blathnaid Kehoe, Adah Ramsbottom. Sub used: Ellen Fitzpatrick for Murphy (H-T).

Referee: Ciaran Groome (Offaly).