History made by St. Mary’s Nenagh in FAI Schools National Cup Final

St. Mary’s SS, Nenagh 3

Presentation College, Athenry 1

Newbies St. Mary’s Secondary School Nenagh were crowned Minor Girls National Cup Champions on Wednesday for the first time in the Schools history when they defeated Presentation College Athenry in the final in Athlone.

Their heroics followed a colossal battle with Athenry outfit Presentation College who were making a return to the Girls National Final stages after twelve-year absence.

The North Tipperary girls got the perfect start to this Cup tie with Republic of Ireland underage international Clodagh Daly smashing the ball into the top corner with only ten minutes gone.

Their tally was doubled mid-way through the first period as Ailbhe Tracey finished smartly from close range.

Both goalkeepers had a wonderful game with Mollie Ryan keeping a clean sheet and Mollie Gilligan keeping the deficit to just two at the break.

Nenagh were a much-fancied side when their third goal landed as substitute Maeve Cunneen rounded the keeper and tapped home from twelve yards with just thirteen minutes remaining.

Athenry continued to apply the pressure and their hard work was rewarded nine minutes from time as Captain Kerri O’Driscoll scored from a magnificent free-kick to bring the girls back to within two.

However, time was against them and St. Mary’s held out nervously for the historic win.

St. Mary’s Secondary School, Nenagh: Mollie Ryan, Thia McCarthy, Nikola Zarina, Maura Gleeson, Jane Ryan, Eimhear Troy, Kellie O’Dwyer, Emma Costello, Isabella Kingston, Clodagh Daly, Ailbhe Tracey

Subs used: Maeve Cunneen, Laura Kinsella, Sadhbh Fogarty, Ruby Power, Ava Conneally

Extended panel: Robyn O’Dwyer, Katelyn Deane, Ava Moroney, Sophia O’Meara, Ellie Ryan, Lydia Leamy, Emma Nolan, Roisin Connolly, Katie Ryan, Leah Slevin, Martha Devaney, Maureen Seymour, Sarah Young

Presentation College, Athenry: Mollie Gilligan, Aisling Costello, Tarron Kilkenny, Isobel Whyte, Niamh Kilgannon, Sophie Costello, Mollie Noone, Kerri O’Driscoll, Ella Farrelly, Ciara Mullins, Sophie Hogan

Subs used: Amira Bouhlel McNamara, Sarah Egan, Snead O’Mahony, Saoirse Cooley, Leah Mullins

Extended Panel: Ailish Molloy, Saoirse Moran, Emma Deely, Aoife Monaghan, Amanda Conway, Eva McGlynn, Zara Horan, Cora Sweeney, Aoibhe O’Dowd, Abbigail Marchant

Referee: Paul Tone (Athlone)