Heartache for Athlone CC as Wexford girls snatch victory
SOCCER: FAI Schools Junior Girls Leinster Cup Final
Presentation SS, Wexford 3 Athlone Community College 2
Gerry Buckley reports
A goal in added time from Aisling Roche broke the hearts of a very gallant and well-drilled Athlone Community College side, as the U17 girls from Presentation Secondary School, Wexford completed a remarkable comeback at Naas AFC recently.
Athlone CC’s two-goal lead at the interval looked to have them well on the way to being crowned Leinster champions.
Conditions could hardly have been more pleasant for this well-attended game, but it was the raucous supporters dressed in assortments of green colours who were celebrating after the 35 minutes-a-side game ended in dramatic fashion, with everybody fully expecting extra-time, and perhaps penalties to follow.
The Athlone girls defeated Holy Family SS, Newbridge in their semi-final, with the winning goal coming from a superbly struck Ciara Walsh free kick.
And Edel Menton’s troops started the final very positively and they came close twice early on. Hazel Donegan - who had earlier hit the post – albeit marginally offside when doing so - eventually opened their account in the eighth minute with a great individual effort, after picking up the ball from a throw-in.
The eventual winners gradually came more into the game, but were unable to manufacture a real chance from three quickfire corner kicks. However, Aisling Roche, Niamh White (a very tricky left-winger), and the impressive Aoibheann Rankin soon had opportunities to halve the deficit, but none were taken.
In the 21st minute, a free kick from her own half by Ciara Walsh (who had a fine game in general play) was fumbled by Isabel Morris (who otherwise was solid between the sticks for Presentation SS), and Donegan was on hand to guide the ball into an unguarded net. It remained 2-0 to Athlone CC at the interval.
Ella Naughton was very reliable in goals for the girls in blue and gold, and she did well when called on as the Wexford side (coached by Athlone native Scott Gaynor) began to pile on the pressure, with Athlone CC mainly relying on counterattacks.
Though small in stature, Lucia Donohoe was brave to a fault for the winners and she deservedly got on the scoresheet in the 53rd minute, finding the corner of the net with aplomb after turning smartly in the box.
Athlone CC almost scored from the ensuing kick-off, and they went on to spurn a glorious chance in the 55th minute when a pinpoint cross from Lara Deehan was met by the head of Ciara Murphy, but her effort was too close to Morris and she saved comfortably.
The lively Emma Cullen was wide at the other end, as the Athlone girls continued to defend with great skill and spirit. However, persistent Wexford pressure eventually paid off with seven minutes of normal time remaining when Donohoe doubled her tally from close range, and was duly mobbed by her ecstatic colleagues.
In the second minute of added time, with all and sundry braced for a longer afternoon, a great move by the Wexford girls was finished to the net by Roche, whose shot just evaded Naughton.
The referee played two more minutes, before calling a halt to a memorable contest. The contrasting emotions of the victors and vanquished were all too evident after the final whistle.
Player of the match: Aoibheann Rankin (Presentation SS). Even when things were going against her team, the Wexford number 10 looked an accomplished player and she was always threatening when in possession.
Presentation Secondary School, Wexford: Isabel Morris, Caoimhe Carley, Lucia Donohoe, Eimear Roche, Izzy Finney, Zara Corrigan, Aisling Roche, Olivia Morris, Emma Cullen, Aoibheann Rankin, Niamh White. Subs used: Lauren Kehoe for O Morris (58 mins), Muireann Hynes for White (63).
Athlone Community College: Ella Naughton, Aoife Minnock, Tara O’Sullivan, Rachel Rourke, Bonnie Moylette, Ciara Walsh, Ciara Murphy, Keeley Sammon, Sally Ann Joyce, Hazel Donegan, Lara Deehan.
Referee: Chris Daly (Dublin).