CARRIGTWOHILL COMMUNITY COLLEGE secured their second National title in recent years, overcoming a skilful Salerno Secondary School, Salthill in Ballyingarry AFC, Limerick yesterday afternoon (March 11). The Cork side had won the Minor ‘B’ Girls Cup (small schools) in 2023, and they now add the Junior Girls Cup (large schools) to their roll of honours, all under the stewardship of mentor Daithí Purcell. It was an impressive start from the Carrigtwohill school as they netted a brace inside two minutes, while a third was notched up just before the break to give them a commanding position with a half hour played. But to the Galway school’s credit, they battled back in the second half and produced more of the chances up front, but just couldn’t break the strong Carrigtwohill defence as Maedhbh Carroll, Captain Clodagh Dorgan, and Emily Bernard were in top form throughout.
Lily O’Connell, who netted a superb hat-trick in their semi-final success over Drogheda crew, Our Lady’s College broke the deadlock for Carrigtwohill in the 21st minute of play. A controversial call as the linesman flagged that her long-range effort was deemed to have crossed the line as keeper Katie Lynch scarpered to retrieve the ball in a congested goalmouth. Within a minute, Carrigtwohill were two up as Molly DENNIS sliced through the Salthill defence to double the tally. Salerno student Orla Dunne was on target with her shot, but a last-ditch tackle saw the ball go inches wide of the near post with six minutes of the half remaining. Molly DENNIS converted a penalty four minutes from the break to ensure a 3-0 cushion at half-time.
Salerno were a different unit in the second period and matched Carrigtwohill’s physicality and determination. Ruby CARROLL grabbed a vital goal back for the Salthill challengers in the 38th minute. Holly O’Leary and Tilly Carroll had half-chances from distance as the Cork side defended with their lives. Molly DENNIS wrapped up a sensational outing for herself when she completed her hat-trick 11 minutes from time with a smart finish past Lynch. The game ended 4-1 to Carrigtwohill.
Bitter disappointment for the Salerno school as they captured the Minor Cup (Under 15) last season and were hoping desperately to move up the grades this afternoon. A steely Carrigtwohill were fantastic value for money in this season’s Cup endeavours and were worthy winners, serving up some delightful football en route to their trophy lift.
CARRIGTWOHILL COMMUNITY COLLEGE | Emily Bernard, Teagan O’Sullivan, Ellie O’Shea, Clodagh Dorgan ©, Maedhbh Carroll, Rachel Barrett, Amelia Sheehan, Olivia O’Sullivan, Lily O’Connell, Molly Dennis, Kinga Prajsnar
SUBS USED | Kayla Kidney Swart for Barrett (69)
SUBS NOT USED | Aisling Kennedy, Megan Walker, Sarah Kelleher, Taylor Harris, Kayla Kidney Swart, Kara Fitzgerald, Erica Dorney
EXTENDED SQUAD | Kaelyn O’Sullivan, Niamh Seymour
TEACHER | Daithí Purcell & Nora Cronin
SALERNO SECONDARY SCHOOL, SALTHILL | Katie Lynch, Ruby Carroll, Anna Murphy, Ava Costello, Niamh McGauran, Abbie Killeen ©, Ana Conway, Ciara Coyle, Holly O’Leary, Orna Dunne, Tilly Carroll
SUBS USED | Grace Coyle for Dunne (46), Orla Costello for Conway (65), Avarose O’Gorman for McGauran (69)
SUBS NOT USED | Emily Jean Killeen, Amber O’Leary, Kayleigh Burke, Rachel O’Grady
EXTENDED SQUAD | Madisson Earley, Elizabeth Mannion, Lauren Costelloe, Anna Fiorentini, Lily Stone, Amy McCallig, Emily Watson, Danielle Earley, Roisin Heinz Ward
TEACHER | Rachel Morrisey COACH | Conor Killeen
MATCH OFFICIAL | Ed Darcy (Limerick)
