SALERNO SECONDARY SCHOOL, SALTHILL dispatched a physical Loreto College, Cavan to claim the FAI Schools Minor Girls (U15) National Cup title at Athlone Town AFC last Wednesday afternoon (May 7th). The Galway side had a dream first half, which saw them go into the break 3-1 leaders, but huge credit to the Cavan girls as they fought back to make a real contest in the Cup tie. Salerno had won the First Year Girls National title twelve months before and now added the Minor Girls crown to their impressive honour roll. That same team went on to represent the Republic of Ireland at the Four Nations Tournament, SAFIB Rod Houston Cup last September, which they won easily, scoring 26 goals in three games while only conceding twice.
The opening goal came in the seventh minute when Ava CONWAY saw her effort sneak under the diving Ella O’Keefe to give Salerno a real foothold in proceedings. However, the lead was short-lived as Caoimhe MURTAGH netted the equaliser courtesy of a Meabh Ferguson corner to see the sides level on 18 minutes. Salerno took the lead again nine minutes later as Ana CONWAY converted from the penalty spot to make it 2-1. A third was added just before half-time when Salerno's Captain Niamh McGauran finished neatly, leaving O’Keefe no chance. 3-1 at the break to the Connacht Champions.
Loreto grabbed a goal back five minutes into the restart with Caoimhe MURTAGH snatching a second of the afternoon. It looked like Cavan may have been mounting a comeback as the game came to life in the last ten minutes, but substitute Tilly CARROLL wrapped up the contest when she scored three minutes into added time to ensure a 4-2 scoreline. The impressive Salerno group captured a well-deserved victory and looks to be destined for future success with that squad.
SALERNO SECONDARY SCHOOL, SALTHILL | Elizabeth Mannion, Ava Costello, Anna Murphy, Ava Rose O’Gorman, Niamh McGauran ©, Ciara Coyle, Ana Conway, Grace Coyle, Orna Dunne, Rachel Leyland, Emily Jane Killeen
SUBS ROLL ON / OFF | Emily Watson, Rachel O’Grady, Robyn Turner, Tilly Carroll, Amber O’Leary, Danielle Earley, Amy McCarthy,
EXTENDED SQUAD | Ava McLoughlin, Firinne Walshe, Roisin Heinz Ward, Robyn Cunningham, Lauren Sherlock, Jae Kevin, Ciara Kelly, Anna Joyce, Lucy O’Connor, Eabha Sheehan, Lauren Costello
COACH | Conor Killeen TEACHERS | Claire Hogan, Eoghan McCarthy, Dan Stephens STUDENT COACH | Abbie Killeen
LORETO COLLEGE, CAVAN | Ella O’Keefe, Muireann Wynne, Aimee Costello, Katie Donohoe, Grace Moran, Georgia Quigley, Caoimhe Murtagh, Ruby Brady ©, Doireann Brady, Meabh Ferguson, Sarah Crowe
SUBS ROLL ON / OFF | Aoife O’Reilly, Eimear Cullen, Lily Brady, Laoise Maguire, Amy McNally, Eimear Smith, Julie Gilsenan
EXTENDED SQUAD | Julie Gilsenan
TEACHERS | Síofra Fitzpatrick, Kate Wilson
MATCH OFFICIAL | Paul Tone (Westmeath)
