St Attracta’s Junior girls take on Loreto in Schools All-Ireland A semi-final

ST Attracta’s, the Connacht Junior A champions took on Loreto of Cavan in a rain-drenched St Aidan’s Templeport, Co Cavan on Thursday. Kathleen Coleman’s young side were up against a Cavan side that struck early on with three goals in the opening minutes, Clodagh Clarke, Kate Fegan and the influential Katie O’Meara all on target as Ellen Giblin from a free put St Attracta’s first score on the scoreboard. Further scores from the Cavan side saw Shannon Davey pointing for St Attracta’s on 10 minutes with a fine pass from Catherine Gallagher. St Attracta’s keeper Sophia Calvey had to be alert on a Loreto goal chance involving Cait O’Reilly midway through the half, before St Attracta’s with a good move found the back of the Loreto net. Gallagher on target with a superb finish after a Mia Durkin pass on 17 minutes, the large St Attracta’s support cheering. O’Meara hit her second of a four goal tally on 22 minutes, Gráinne Cooke pointing a fine score for St Attracta’s as again Calvey made a great save on a Clarke goal chance. The rain was pouring down in Cavan as both sides kept the scoreboard ticking over. Loreto’s O’Meara and Fegan hitting two more goals as they led by 6-5 to 1-3 at the interval.

Blaithín Lavin saw her goal chance just go out wide for a ‘45 after the resumption as captain Ciara Walsh sent over a wonderful score after a Lucy Henry pass, Lavin’s shot again was just narrowly wide on 33 minutes as St Attracta’s were increasing the pressure on the Loreto defence.

O’Meara scored another Loreto goal after captain Sarah Clarke set her up as Giblin scored a free for St Attracta’s on 48 minutes after Lavin was fouled. Great credit to St Attracta’s, they kept on fighting and were awarded with a superb goal from Lavin on 49 minutes as O’Meara hit the crossbar, Lavin almost getting another for St Attracta’s moments later which was saved by Orla McCabe.. Lauren Miney added another goal for the Cavan side before Walsh from play and Giblin from a free wrapped up the scoring for St Attracta’s who fought to the end.

ST ATTRACTA’S; Sophia Calvey, Erin Walsh, Aoibhe Cooke, Amy McCarthy, Anna Kate Davitt, Aoibheann Durcan, Ciara Walsh (C) (0-2), Shannon Davey (0-1), Ellen Giblin (0-3 3f), Lucy Henry, Gráinne Cooke (0-1), Catherine Gallagher (1-0), Blaithín Lavin (1-0), Mia Durkin, Kate Mullarkey. Substitutes used; Aisling Hyland for Durkin (37), Mary-Peig Horkan for Mullarkey (44), Aoife Walsh for Erin Walsh (54), Tara Hosey for Davey (61), Kate Buckley for Cooke (61). Management; Kathleen Coleman, Katelyn Concannon, James McDonagh.

LORETO; Orla McCabe, Danielle McGovern, Caitlin Crowe, Aoibhinn Galligan, Áine McDwyer, Ailbhe Kennedy, Kate McSeain, Lauren Miney (1-0), Ruby Gilmartin (0-1), Cait O’Reilly (0-1), Sarah Clarke (C) (0-1), Kate Fegan (2-0), Katie O’Meara (4-1), Clodagh Clarke (1-2), Rebecca Boyle Drought. Substitutes used; Kaitlyn Cahill for Galligan (49), Brianna Qualie for Gilmartin (49), Katie McGahern for McDwyer (in 59), Eve Murtagh for O’Reilly (59). Management; Lisa Casey, Conor Maguire, Áine Shannon, Sinéad Lee.

REFEREE: Mel Kenny (Westport).