Resilient Askeaton students book FAI Schools Senior ‘B’ Girls National Cup final spot

COLÁISTE Mhuire, Askeaton saw off a late surge from CBS New Ross to secure a 2-1 victory in their FAI Schools Senior ‘B’ Girls National Cup Semi-Final in Cahir Park AFC on Friday afternoon.

It was a pulsating contest which saw Askeaton under pressure for the last 15 minutes of the game as their defensive line withstood a barrage of half chances late on. However, the excellent Hannah Neville between the posts was in resolute form for the West Limerick students who can look forward now to an All-Ireland final appearance.

Cólaiste Mhuire, Askeaton will now face St Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton in the showpiece decider on Wednesday, January 31 (1pm) with a venue to be confirmed.

CBS New Ross scholar Nora Purcell had the first real opportunity to open the scoring with a quarter of an hour played. However, her delightful effort went agonising over the upright. 

Íde Trant’s Askeaton side then took the lead midway through the first half as Grace Fitzgibbon's audacious effort from distance flew over New Ross netminder Tara Davitt and smash into the top corner of the net.

CBS sensation Abbie Wallace equalised seven minutes later as she finished neatly past the diving Neville for a well taken equaliser.

However, the resilient West Limerick outfit retook the lead eight minutes from the interval when Ruth Sheehy slotted home at the far post following a brilliantly taken corner from the talented Gemma Leahy.

The second half saw a forced substitution as the impressive New Ross keeper Tara Davitt picked up a knock and a tactically change saw Ellie O’Connell slot in between the posts while substitute Casey Codd made an appearance.

The Wexford crew were given a life-line when they were awarded a penalty on 67 minutes as Emma Rossiter’s strike was saved brilliantly by Hannah Neville. Unfortunately for Rossiter, her rebounded effort glanced wide of the mark as Askeaton rallied to celebrate Neville’s achievements.

New Ross threw everything into attack for the final period.  

However, Trant’s crew held out bravely for the final few tense minutes to ensure their passage into the National Cup Final.

Askeaton's final opponents Manorhamilton overcame Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair 4-0 in Letterkenny last Tuesday to secure their place in the decider

The National Cup Final has all the makings of an epic thriller as the teams now prepare for the final test.

COLÁISTE MHUIRE, ASKEATON | Hannah Neville, Anna Fitzgerald, Jennifer Kelly, Rebecca Fitzgibbon, Aimee Sheahan (Capt), Grace Fitzgibbon, Maebh Mulcahy, Evelyn Fitzgerald, Abi Fitzgibbon, Ruth Sheehy, Gemma Leahy. SUBS USED | Leah Kelly for Maebh Mulcahy (54). SUBS NOT USED | Jane Kelly, Katie Murray Maune, Caoimhe Hourigan, Sarah Walsh, Sarah Muane, Anna Madigan.

TEACHERS | Íde Trant, Stephen Hackett

CBS NEW ROSS | Tara Davitt, Keelin Juul Jensen, Abbie Gaffney, Tara Roche, Molly Browne, Emma Rossiter (Capt), Abi Rossiter, Aoibh Thomas, Ellie O’Connell, Nora Purcell, Abbie Wallace. SUBS USED | Casey Codd for Tara Davitt (HT). SUBS NOT USED | Tara Doyle Maher, Orla Doyle Maher,  Lauren Egan, Emma Codd.

MATCH OFFICIAL | Michael Freiberg (Tipperary)