National title for heroic Gallen girls team
St. Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton 1
Gallen Community School, Ferbane 3 (AET)
Gallen Community School came through extra-time to seal a wonderful victory over Leitrim side St. Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton in Athlone Town AFC on Monday last, April 20.
A superb team performance saw the girls lift the FAI Schools Minor ‘B’ Girls National trophy for the first time in the school’s history.
Both finalists proved to be in fine form in the early exchanges as there was nothing to separate the sides in the opening thirty minutes.
The game came to life seven minutes into the restart with Hannah Mitchell poking home the opener for Gallen following a delightful through ball from Meghan Heavin.
However, the sides were level three minutes later with Aoife Boylan heading home from a Saoirse Reynolds free kick to make it one apiece.
Gallen could have got the match-winner at the death when Ella Kenny produced a splendid free-kick on target only for Manor’s netminder Sophie Devaney to save bravely.
The game ended 1-1, so a period of extra-time was required to decide the winner!
Gallen took the lead six minutes in when a St. Clare’s defender saw her half-blocked effort go into her own net.
Hannah Mitchell went on to bag her second and Gallen’s third four minutes from time to secure a fantastic victory for the Leinster Champions.
A fitting result for the Offaly side having lost the same Cup Final twelve months previously. The squad was managed by teachers Alan Rogerson and Derval Scully.
Gallen Community School: Katie Egan, Niamh Waldron, Eibhleann Lynam (c) Ellie Flynn, Isabel O’Regan, Ella Kenny, Ciara Keenaghan, Hannah Mitchell, Meghan Heavin, Amber Kelly, Annabelle Egan
Subs, roll on/off: Irene Egan, Ella Shrahan, Holly Maloney, Meabh Flynn, Mikayla Egan, Lauren Heavin, Aoibhinn Gleeson
Rest of Squad: Charley Brazil, Bella Beau Stapleton, Jenna Coyne, Áine Dunican, Leah Cuinan, Eady Hesketh, Kate Keenaghan, Anna Kenny, Halle McManus, Clodagh Rigney
St Clare's Comprehensive School: Sophie Devaney, Dervela Loughlin, Lexi Duffy, Lily Ferguson (c), Jessica Attard, Jessica Sheridan, Ceola Kelly, Saoirse Reynolds, Aoife Boylan, Ella O’Donnell, Faye Watters.
Subs, roll on/off: Lakoda McBride, Emma Maguire, Isabella Moffit, Anney McGuinness, Kaci Cleary, Emily Flanagan, Alison Twomey
Rest of Squad: Naomi Keaney, Nicole Kelly, Martha McGovern, Abigail Farrell, Sadhbh Smith, Eirynne Victorina, Emma Curry, Alison Meehan, Alice Fowley, Holly Wynne, Katie Kerrigan, Ella McEnroy, Katie McDermott, Nia Moreira, Anna Fitzpatrick, Adrianna Oliveria, Ava White
Referee: Colin McCormack (Westmeath)