All-Ireland Schools U-16 A Final Report

St. Louis Monaghan 2-7 St. Joseph Castleisland
2-5 Nicola Fahy was the hero of St. Louis Convent Monaghan yesterday
as her 28th minute goal gave the Farney side a two point victory
over St. Joseph’s, Castleisland in the All Ireland U16 schools final.
The win gave St. Louis the All Ireland double and is the first All
Ireland title won by any Monaghan team at this age group. Both teams
deserve great credit for serving up such a close and exciting final
which ended 2-7 to 2-5. 

St. Joseph’s made the brighter start with Mary Herlihy and Geraldine
Ryan firing over before St. Louis opened their account through
Laura Askin in the 13th minute. Askin levelled the game with her
second point and then St. Louis went ahead thanks to a nice point
from Catriona Treanor. Then is the space of a minute two goals
were scored. Noelle Scanlon netted for St. Joseph’s but the St.
Louis response was immediate, Alana Hackett cancelling the Kingdom’s
side’s goal with her own strike. Ciara Mc Anespie and Briege Mc
Carron then sent over to give the Monaghan school a three point
lead however St. Joseph’s finished the half strongly and points
from Stephanie Murphy, Noelle Scanlon and Geraldine Ryan left
the sides level at the break 1-5 each.

The third quarter was tight and with neither side giving an inch
it was no surprise that there were no scores. In the 45th minute
Mary Herhily scored St. Joseph’s second goal however this was
to be the Kerry sides only score of the half. Catriona Treanor
and Natasha Mohan closed the gap with points before St. Joseph’s
were awarded a penalty. Barbara Mc Kenna in the Louis goal saved
brilliantly and then with two minutes to go Nicola Fahy struck
the winning goal.

Team manager Pauline Devlin found it hard to talk after such
an enthralling game but did manage a few words. “The result
is hard luck on St. Josephs but for us it makes up for the disappointment
of losing the same final last year. The girls were just brilliant
and it’s great to be able to add this title to the U19 one”,
said a delighted Devlin.

Paul Swift (PR Committee – pswift5@eircom.net)