A late goal from outstanding full
forward Aoife Fitzgerald salvaged a draw for the Ursuline in a gripping junior
final battle with St Mary’s New Ross at the WIT Arena on Saturday.
The Gailltir attacker claimed all the
Ursuline scores in a flawless shooting display. Her 57th minute free dipped
under the crossbar to set up a rematch. A Paul Flynn special.
The Waterford school were happier with
the outcome given the pressure their opponents exerted throughout. St Mary’s
led from the eighth minute onwards and only some poor shooting prevented them
from taking the title. Kate Foley and Ciara Walsh squandered late chances to
win it. The team in green and white shot ten wides in total. Ursuline didn’t
register a miss all afternoon.
In blustery conditions, St Mary’s opened
with the elements and a double blast from corner forward Katie Murphy gave them
a 2-1 to 0-4 lead by half time. The first arrived on eight minutes when she cut
in from the right and drove a shot high past Elena Gallagher. Three wides in a
row followed as St Mary’s bombarded the Ursuline goal. The diminutive Rachael
Walsh dropped back to assist the defence.
On 22 minutes, Murphy combined with
Foley and her shot found the net with the aid of the crossbar. Aoife Fitzgerald
hit the Ursuline’s first score from play in response after a lay-off by Clodagh
Hoctor. A late free then skimmed off the metalwork to leave the red and navy
three points behind.
Two more Fitzgerald dead balls on the
restart narrowed it to one. The St Mary’s supporters grew
agitated with Cork referee Cathal Egan as this final wore on. Their first free
of the second half was greeted with an ironic cheer. Kate Foley converted (2-2
to 0-6). A foul on Abby Flynn prompted a chorus of boos but Fitzgerald kept her
cool. Katie Murphy evaded Holly Ryan at the opposite end and shot a brilliant
point off her right side into the breeze.
Ciara Walsh blasted a clear-cut goal
chance left of the uprights. Murphy also shot wide before the Ursuline pushed
up and went for broke. Foley missed a straightforward free in front of the
posts. Another let off for the Ursuline and they capitalised. Two swift points
from Fitzgerald levelled the contest (2-3 to 0-9).
A pulsating finish excited the crowd.
Clodagh Curham was blocked down and Hannah Dunphy saved from Fitzgerald as the
Ursuline chased a lead score. With four minutes remaining, Walsh fed Faye Codd
and she beat Gallagher from close range. The St Mary’s faithful erupted.
The celebrations were short lived
however. Fitzgerald’s free sailed to the top of the rigging to earn the
Ursuline a second day out.
St
Mary’s New Ross
– Katie Murphy 2-1, Faye Codd 1-0, Kate Foley 0-2 (2fs)
St
Angela’s Ursuline:
Elena Gallagher (Gailltir); Hannah Leamy (Tramore), Lucy Hogan (De La Salle),
Sorcha Cantwell (Gailltir); Shauna Farrell (Butlerstown), Sarah Maher
(Gailltir), Jodie Tuohy (Gailltir); Clodagh Carroll (Gailltir), Holly Ryan (De
La Salle); Rachael Walsh (Butlerstown), Abby Flynn (De La Salle), Clodagh
Hoctor (Gailltir); Alisha Flynn (Gailltir), Aoife Fitzgerald (Gailltir),
Clodagh Curham (Gailltir).
Sub: Laoise
McLoughlin (Gailltir) for Leamy.
St
Mary’s New Ross:
Hannah Dunphy (Mullinavat); Niamh Ogilvie (Cloughbawn), Katie Kehoe
(Horeswood), Brid Walsh (St James’); Elaine Quigley (Cloughbawn), Amy Cahill
(Rathnure), Áine Galavan (Rower-Inistioge); Aisling Prendergast
(Graiguenamanagh), Tara Doyle (Cloughbawn); Niamh O’Shea
(Rathgarogue-Cushinstown), Ciara Walsh (St James’), Cria Langton
(Rower-Inistioge); Katie Murphy (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown), Kate Foley
(Horeswood), Faye Codd (Cloughbawn).
Referee:
Cathal
Egan (Cork)
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