Kilmacthomas secure the dream double with four-star display
The Kilmacthomas FC squad celebrate their win over Ferrybank in the Schoolgirls Under 14D Cup Final at Ozier Park on Sunday last. Photos: Paul Elliott
Champions Kilmacthomas completed the WSL Under 14D League and Cup double at Ozier Park against a spirited Ferrybank side who despite the scoreline pushed their opponents all the way on Sunday last.
The champions got off to a perfect start when with just four minutes on the clock Ciara Whelan gave them the lead - a lead they wouldn't relinquish for the remainder of the tie. Tara Brophy's goal kick went straight to Whelan at the edge of the box and although it was straight at Brophy the ball evaded her and slipped into the net.
Ferrybank recovered from the early set back to gain come control of proceedings but a well marshalled Kilmacthomas defence - with O Shea and Veale very impressive - kept them at bay. just past the midpoint of the half Winnah Shanahan played a long through ball over the Ferrybank defence and Sophie Grant raced through on goal. Her first touch looked to have been too heavy but confusion between keeper and defender saw the ball break back to Grant and she side footed the ball home to double her sides advantage.
Ferrybank came storming back and grabbed a lifeline on 29 minutes. A long ball in behind the Kilmacthomas defence left Vereker left unmarked and she went through on goal with her strike beating Power in the goal.
Before the half-time whistle Kilmac had restored their two goal cushion via a moment of magic from Lola Curran-Kett. Curran-Kett came into possession wide on the Kilmac right and having skipped past two players her low drive beat Brophy to make it 3-1.
Taylor Magee was the first to test Winnah Shanahan - who had donned the keepers jersey for the second half - but Shanahan was equal to the task from her 42nd minute effort.
Both sides exchanged opportunities but it was Kilmacthomas who claimed the next goal, through a well worked team effort. Emmie Power and Kate Walsh combined down through the middle and Walsh's superbly weighted ball spilt the defence for Grant to slot past the advancing keeper to make the final safe.
McGee had two efforts well saved by Shanahan with the second resulting in a goalmouth scramble that ended with a brilliant goal line clearance by Lacey Veale.
At the final whistle it was a well-deserved League & Cup double for Kilmacthomas with Taylor McGee selected as player of the match by the match officials.
Jessie Rae Power, Ava Wall, Eve O’Shea, Lacey Veale, Robyn Kirwan, Alice Comerford, Emmie Power, Ciara Whelan, Winnah Shanahan, Lola Curran Kett, Ellie Curran Kett, Sophie Grant, Ciara Grace.
Tara Brophy, Mia Kelly, Holly Phelan, Molly Grant, Taylor Magee, Labhaoise Coughlan, Faye Mullally, Milly McKenna Robinson, Aoibhe Vereker, Charlotte Kearns, Anna Freher, Isabelle Downey, Sile Walsh, Grace May Mackey, Lily Droney, Erin Walsh, Sophie Kearney, Emma Swift, Claudine Curtain, Amelia Stapleton.
Noel Connolly assisted by Noel Lavery and Thomas Barry.
