FAI Schools Girls’ Interprovincial Tournament (U15)
Leinster Schools win three in-a-row
November 19, 2014
LEINSTER GIRLS captured the elusive three in-a-row on Sunday evening following a tense conclusion on Sunday morning as they only required a draw with Ulster to take the title on goal difference
Nothing came easy for the Leinster girls as the competition demonstrated a high volume of talent and defences were outstanding as only five goals were scored in the six game thriller at the weekend event
Paul Howard had a major upset to his preparations on Thursday evening as Schools International Tiegan Ruddy (St. Wolstan’s CS, Celbridge) had to withdraw from the Leinster squad due to injury. This merited a late call up for Scoil Chríost Rí, Portlaoise student Gillian Keenan who relished the opportunity of representing her Province
Munster had injury concerns too as goalkeeper Emma Tobin (Loreto SS, Clonmel) picked up a head injury on Thursday evening which resulted in her withdrawn. Grimes called on the services of Jessica O’Mahony (St. Aloysius Cork City) to replace Tobin between the posts.
Leinster 2-0 Munster
In Leinster’s opening game, the girls were nervous in the first half, struggling to get the ball down and pass it. Munster however, were well organised and extremely difficult to breakdown.
Leinster’s nervousness was demonstrated when an Aoife Fennell free-kick which found the net was disallowed as her colleagues were found pushing in the Munster box.
Munster were unfortunate not to score from a corner as Hannah O’Donoghue’s attempt was saved brilliantly by the versatile Erica Turner
Munster had a quick counter attack on 25 minutes as Michelle O’Driscoll gave an angled pass to Hannah O’Donoghue, the youngster beat the last defender, skipped past goalkeeper, side footing the ball narrowly wide to the frustration of the Kerry native.
Leinster made a change at the interval with the introduction of Jessie Morrissey. The St. Laurence College student had an immediate impact as the reigning champions passed the ball better and were more composed in possession. With a little patience, Paul Howard’s girls made the break through as Tara Cully (St. Paul’s SS) and Aoife Fennell (Donabate CC) got on the score sheet.
With 15 minutes remaining, Howard brought on Louise Masterson, who impressed from the off. The Holy Family CS pupil had three excellent chances, including one that came off the woodwork. The game ended 2-0 and proved the decisive factor in Leinster’s 2014 title win.
Connacht 0-1 Ulster
Despite dominating possession and territory the failure of the Connacht girls to convert their chances cost them dearly as they went down to a late winner courtesy of the very talented Amy Boyle Carr. The youngster’s goal came late from a counter attack and was the difference on the day with Connacht a very organised outfit which was difficult to breakdown.
The best of the Connacht chances fell to Heather Payne, Shauna Golden and Sadhbh Doyle with Doyle and Payne capped last year for Counihan’s school select.
Rachel Baynes and Aoife Lynagh impressed for Dom Coll’s charges while Ulster’s goalscorer, Danielle McDevitt and Tyler Toland were outstanding.
Connacht 0-0 Leinster
Leinster faced an exceptional Connacht team on Saturday afternoon. Howard made three changes to the squad with Coombes in for Turner, Masterson in for Hackett and Morrissey in for McEvoy
It was an extremely tight game which involved some exceptional football from both teams but was short of a little composure in the final third from both camps. The game was a stop start affair which resulted in both teams struggling to get going.
Clear cut goal chances were at a premium and both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils. Claire Conry and Megen Hengerer were outstanding for Connacht as the game ended in a scoreless draw.
Munster 0-0 Ulster
Fiadhna Tangney a contstant threat on the left wing. She had a scoring chance after 23 minutes, shot narrowly wide. Michelle O’Driscoll a target woman up front. Often beating two or three defenders and came close to delivering the final shot
Munster were a physical side. Ulster were unfortunate not to find the net at least once in each half although it has to be said Munster had their fair share of chances only to be denied by the inform Ulster keeper Clare Friel
Althought this ended in a scoreless draw, it was a very entertaining game of football with some wonderful performances from both sides
Connacht 1-1 Munster
In an early morning kick off, both sides had to again settle for a share of the points.
Despite early dominance, Connacht fell behind midway through the first half as Hannah O’Donoghue intercepted a Connacht goal kick, controlled the ball well under pressure, feeding her pass to Michelle O’Driscoll in space. The Cork student turned a defender and rifled the ball into the far corner of the net for a wonderful opener.
Connacht piled on the pressure early in the second half and should have equalised when the excellent Sadhbh Doyle was taken down for a penalty. However Aoife Lynagh saw her spot kick saved by Jessica O’Mahony to hit off the post and out
Connacht got their just rewards when Lilly Hengerer’s volley found the top corner for a superb equaliser. Again Sinead Donovan and Rachel Baynes performed well for the Westerners
Leinster 0-0 Ulster
Left with it all to play for on Sunday morning, Leinster only needed a draw to take the title on goal difference. Ulster had their biggest challenge yet needing a win against some stiff opposition.
Leinster were outstanding in the first half. They created a large number of chances but were lacking composure with several snap shots on goal, going wide of the mark
Ulster were also looking to get it down and hit Leinster on the break from the onset. Amy Boyle Carr had a tremendous shot on target only to be denied by a glorious save from Turner in goal.
In the second half, Leinster went very flat and conceded the game to Ulster for long periods of the game. Ulster pushed their opponents back and Leinster struggled to get out of their half at times.
The Leinster Captain, Ciara Maher made a spectacular goal line clearance to save Leinster’s blushes after some great work from Amy Boyle Carr and Bronagh McGuinness during this purple patch for Ulster.
Ulster had two penalty claims waved away by match official Deirdre Nolan much to the annoyance of Manager Maureen O’Donnell (Deele College)
Howards switched tactics and looked to hit Ulster early on the break. With 20 minutes remaining, Louise Masterson looked to be in on a few occasions only to be ruled off side. The youngster was actually around the keeper at one stage but the angle was too tight. The game merited a draw with some fine displays by both sides. Leinster claimed the elusive three in a row, their 8 title in 15 years. A massive achievement for the province which will be difficult to beat
Congratulations to all 68 players that participated in the competition. We look forward to seeing these players progress in the future in the schools game.
PROVINCIAL PANELS:
LEINSTER: Niamh COOMBES (Cariatas College, Dublin), Erica TURNER (Rockford Manor SS, Blackrock), Paula BELENGEUR (St. Laurence College, Loughlinstown),Ciara MAHER (Colaiste de Ide, Tallaght), Louise MASTERSON (Holy Family CS, Rathcoole), Roisin McGOVERN (Loreto College, Foxrock), Gillian KEENAN(Scoil Chríost Rí, Portlaoise), Shauna MARTIN (St. Paul’s SS, Greenhills), Robyn McEVOY (Coláiste na hInse, Bettystown), Orla HACKETT (Coláiste Ciaran, Leixlip), Orla CASEY (Loreto SS, Kilkenny), Isibeal CAROLAN (St. Joseph’s SS, Rush), Jessie MORRISSEY (St. Laurence College, Loughinstown), Katie BURDIS (Coláiste na hInse, Bettystown), Jessica ZIU (Larkin Community College), Aoife FENNELL (Donabate CC), Tara CULLY (St. Paul’s SS, Greenhills)
MANAGEMENT: Paul Howard (Loreto College, Crumlin), Eoin Clarkin (St. Kilian’s DSD, Clonskeagh), Cerrie Byrne (Ardgillan Community College, Balbriggan), Leanne McGrath and Jenny Ferrari
CONNACHT: Michelle TREACY,Rachel BAYNES, (both Sacred Heart School, Westport), Andrea TRILL, Sinead DONOVAN (both Coláiste Bhaile Chláir, Claregalway), Gráinne O’NEILL (St. Louis CS, Kiltimagh), Meghen HENGERER, Aoife LYNAGH, Lilly HENGERER, Claire CONRY (all Dominican College, Taylor’s Hill, Salthill) Heather PAYNE (Ard Scoil Mhuire, Ballinasloe), Sadhbh DOYLE (Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Salerno), Ciara WHYTE (St. Mary’s SS, Ballina), Shauna GOLDEN (St. Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen), Aoife GAVIN (Summerhill College, Athlone) Ellen IRWIN, Ciara CORCORAN (both Meánscoil Muire gan Smál, Convent of Mercy, Roscommon), Ria McPHILBIN (The Jesuit, Galway)
MANAGEMENT: Dom Coll (Presentation College, Athenry), Seamus MacEachmharcaigh (Sacred Heart School, Westport), Seán Boland, Fabienne Cooney (both Meánscoil Muire gan Smál, Convent of Mercy, Roscommon)
ULSTER: Claire FRIEL, Catherine GRIER (both Mulroy College, Milford), Aisling McDAID, Alanah DOHERTY (both Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana),Jenna DOHERTY, Emma DOHERTY, Kate McGLENAGHAN, Bronagh McGUINNESS, Éimear McLAUGHLIN (all Moville Community College), Shana QUINN, Danielle McDEVITT, Bronagh GALLAGHER, Amy BOYLE CARR(all St. Columba’s CS, Glenties) Tyler TOLAND (Deele College, Raphoe), Julie TREARTY (Loreto CS, Milford), Michelle McDaid (Crana College, Buncrana), Louise KERLEY (St. Louis SS, Carrickmacross)
MANAGEMENT: Maureen O’Donnell, Zoe McGlynn (both Deele College, Raphoe)
MUNSTER: Maria O’SULLIVAN (Ballincollig CS, Cork), Allana GALLAGHER, Bethany CARROLL (both Abbey CS, Waterford), Angela McGUIGAN (Scoil Mhuire, Greenhill, Carrick on Suir), Sophie TUOHY (Davis College, Mallow), Mary Kate CURRAN (Blackwater CS, Lismore), Michelle O’DRISCOLL (St. Angela’s College, Cork), Jessica DEVEREUX (St. Angela’s, The Ursuline, Waterford) Kaiesha TOBIN (St. Augustine’s College, Waterford), Rachel COMPAGNO (Christ King Girls’ SS, Cork), Tara MANNIX (Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh), Jessica O’MAHONY (St. Aloysius, Cork City), Claire NEVIN (Coláiste Choilm, Cork), Orna O’BRIEN (Ard Scoil na nDeise, Dungarvan), Courtney HISTON (St. Peter’s CS, Passage West, Cork), Hannah O’DONOGHUE (Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine, Kerry), Fiadhna TANGNEY (Intermediate School, Killorglin)
MANAGEMENT: Richard Grimes, Caoimhe Byrne, Ciara Moloney (all St. Caimin’s Community School, Shannon), Michael Looby (FAI Development Officer), Mark Barry (GK Coach)
U15 GIRLS INTERPROVINCIAL FIXTURES
Friday, November 7
3.00pm Leinster 2-0 Munster
4.30pm Connacht 0-1 Ulster
Saturday, November 8
3.00pm Connacht 0-0 Leinster
4.30pm Munster 0-0 Ulster
Sunday, November 9
9.00am Connacht 1-1 Munster
10.30am Leinster 0-0 Ulster
Girls’ Interprovincial Tournament Roll of Honour
YEAR / WINNER / VENUE2000 / Munster / Galway
2001 / Leinster / Ballybofey, Donegal
2002 / Leinster / Ballybofey, Donegal
2003 / Munster / Clare
2004 / Leinster / Athlone
2005 / Leinster / Athlone
2006 / Munster / Athlone
2007 / Munster / Athlone
2008 / Munster / Athlone
2009 / Leinster / Tullamore/Athlone
2010 / Ulster / Tullamore/Athlone
2011 / Munster / Tullamore/Athlone
2012 / Leinster / Tullamore/Athlone
2013 / Leinster / AUL Complex, Clonshaugh
2014 / Leinster / AUL Complex, Clonshaugh
END