Ryan's last-gasp goal sends Moate CS into another final

Lidl LGFA All-Ireland PP Schools Junior ‘A’ Championship semi-final

Moate CS 1-6 St Mary’s SS, Macroom 0-7

By Jack McKay

Never a dull moment in the second half as Moate Community School claimed another wonderful victory. It was a contest that brought the full range of emotions for those who braved the elements and headed to Fethard Town Park in Tipperary last Thursday afternoon.

Reigning All-Ireland champions Moate CS can count their lucky stars and Anna Ryan's dramatic goal for their resurrection in the final seconds.

Moate had been front since the 13th minute, but opponents St Mary’s SS, Macroom clawed it back and took the lead with six minutes left to play in their Lidl All-Ireland PPS Junior ‘A’ Championship semi-final.

Chloe Malone and Anna Ryan combined brilliantly to set up Ally Duffy, and she kicked over the leveller, 0-6 apiece, with three minutes left to play. Heading into added time there was no separation.

Malone had a free to put Moate in front in the 61st minute, but her effort tailed wide. It looked like it would be costly, especially when Macroom surged up the other end minutes later. Eva McMahon passed to Shauna Keane and she laid it off to Roisín Ní Liatháin, who had been outstanding for the Cork school. Ní Liatháin let fly, it sailed over.

Macroom in front, 63 minutes played. That should have been the winner. It had to be the winner. It was celebrated like the winner.

But Moate CS had one last chance. Malone surged forward from the next kickout. She worked it through Kelly Lynam, Mella Casey and Duffy. Duffy went long inside to Anna Ryan, who scooped up possession, cut inside and shot. The ball looped in beyond St Mary’s goalkeeper Lorna Hodman, struck the post and went in.

Elation for Moate, despair for Macroom. Disbelief for both camps. Seven seconds later, Seamus Mulvihill’s whistle sounded for the final time.

And so, Moate CS march on to another Junior ‘A’ All-Ireland decider, where they will face Sacred Heart School, Westport on Thursday, March 19 at Orchard Park, Elphin (throw-in 1pm).

In addition, Moate CS are preparing for the Senior ‘A’ All-Ireland semi-final versus St Joseph's SS, Spanish Point to come in Tuam tomorrow (Thursday), March 12 (t2pm).

And it’s hard to say they didn’t deserve this one, even if it was a cruel end to the game for St Mary’s.

Moate’s interval lead was 0-3 to 0-2, and they were fortunate to hold that advantage against the breeze. Both teams opted for an extra defender, leaving two backs free at either end. Heather Touhey was entrusted with double marking duties, Ríona Foley was left to sweep. Tara Browne and Ruby Prendeville took on those roles for Macroom. It meant that the first half – in which Macroom played with the swirling wind – was relatively tame. Chances were sparse, especially for Moate, who struggled to find their rhythm in possession.

The Leinster champions were caught for plenty of turnovers, cheap frees and struggled on kickouts. The fact they led at the break came down to St Mary’s own wastefulness. The wind was deceiving and the rain was torrential, but they racked up seven first half wides to Moate’s zero.

Duffy’s early white flag put Moate in front after two minutes. By the 17th minute, it was 0-3 to 0-1, Malone following on from Áine O’Riordan’s equaliser, before Ryan nudged the Westmeath school further in front.

Their Cork opponents raised one more white flag in that opening period – Shauna Keane played a one-two with Ní Liatháin before splitting the posts – but they must have been frustrated after such a wasteful opening period.

When ends changed, so did momentum. Malone came close to netting a goal immediately on the restart for Moate, but it was brought back for a free, which she slotted over.

When Aoibheann Kelly played Ryan through for a 39th-minute point, Moate’s two-point lead was restored again, but Macroom would not allow their opponents to get further ahead than that.

A Ní Liatháin effort left just one between the teams as they headed into the final quarter. Then, in the span of one minute, Macroom flipped the game on its head.

After two saves from Lilly Daly, substitute Olivia King got the third bite of the cherry to level the teams for the second time, and Ni Liatháin then got Macroom’s noses in front with six minutes to go, 0-6 to 0-5.

While Duffy drew parity for a third time before the clock headed into the red, it looked like Moate hearts were set to be broken. But Ryan had something to say about that.

Key moment: The last minute of the added four was complete chaos. Roisín Ní Liatháin looked like she’d won it for St Mary’s Macroom with a last gasp point, but from the next kickout Moate surged, worked it to Anna Ryan and her 64th minute strike slipped past Lorna Hodman, who could only watch in despair as it struck the post and went in for the game-winning goal.

Player of the match: Who else but Anna Ryan? Outstanding throughout and scorer of 1-2, including the last gasp goal to win it, and she assisted Ally Duffy for the equalising point in the 57th minute. Ríona Foley deserves a mention too, her defensive display was top notch.

What's next: Moate CS will meet Sacred Heart School, Westport in the All-Ireland final after the Mayo side defeated Our Lady's Grammar School, Newry by 3-11 to 3-9 in the other semi-final. The decider is scheduled to be played on Thursday, March 19 at Orchard Park, Elphin (1pm).

Scorers - Moate CS: A Ryan 1-2, A Duffy, C Malone (0-1 f) 0-2 each. St Mary’s: R Ní Liatháin 0-3, A O’Riordan, S Keane, O O’Brien, O King 0-1 each.

Moate Community School - Lilly Daly; Grace David, Ríona Foley, Libby McHugh; Mella Casey, Hannah Pratlett, Aoibheann Kelly; Heather Touhey, Chloe Malone; Daisy Bucys McLaughlin, Anna Ryan (captain), Heidi Murray; Kelly Lynam, Ally Duffy, Lucy Martin. Subs used: Mila Fralkova for Touhey (23 mins), Wiktoria Wziatek for Martin (55). Rest of panel: Grace Dolan, Ellen Madden, Lucy Keane, Gemma Turley, Kate Larkin, Katie Meares, Katie Doyle, Kate Mallon, Laura Fox, Diana Heavin, Kate Corcoran.

St Mary’s Secondary School, Macroom - Lorna Hodman; Tara Browne, Siún Cronin, Hayleigh O’Shea; Ruby Prendeville (captain), Pippa Murphy, Áine O’Riordan; Katie Murray, Orla O’Brien; Evie McMahon, Hannah Sweeney, Roisín Ní Liatháin; Clíona O’Brien, Shauna Keane, Orlaith O’Brien. Subs used: Katie O’Riordan for Sweeney, Olivia King for O. O’Brien (both 40 mins); Eadaoin Kelleher for C. O’Brien (inj., 48).

Referee - Seamus Mulvihill (Kerry).