SOCCER: Presentation Athenry manager Joe Finnerty with Galway Bay FM’s Mike Rafferty after their FAI Schools Junior Cup Final defeat to Presentation Kilkenny

Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny 2-0 Presentation College, Athenry

Roisin Foley (50), Emily Phelan (67)                                    

Two second half goals ensured Cup success for Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny over defending Champions Presentation College, Athenry in a sun-soaked Athlone Town AFC this afternoon (March 19).

It’s been some season for the Kilkenny kingpins as this victory confirmed a Cup double for the girls with their Senior crew capturing the National title five weeks ago in the same venue with six of the Junior squad involved in that showpiece.

It was a case of taking their chances when they came with a sublime effort from Roisin FOLEY to open her account for Kilkenny with twenty minutes of the game remaining.  Vice Captain Emily PHELAN made sure of the win three minutes from time when she saw her effort go in off the keeper.

Kilkenny made the brighter start to the contest with Hannah Griffey forcing a brilliant save from Jane Brennan with 13 minutes on the clock.

Towards the latter stages of the first half, it was Athenry that dominated most of the possession but just couldn’t get the ball on target as the teams went in goalless at the break.

Within four minutes, Kilkenny broke the deadlock with a superb set piece from Roisin FOLEY that sailed over the head of Brennan and into the top corner, leaving the Galway shot-stopper no chance.

The Galway side had a great opportunity to draw level a few moments later when Niamh Kilgannon had a glancing header goal bound only for Isabelle Carroll to produce a top class save at the near post to deny the youngster.

Noone, Duffy and McNamara had half chances blocked down with some solid defensive play from Presentation, Kilkenny.

The killer blow for Athenry came three minutes from time when Emily PHELAN’S cross slipped through the hands of Brennan and in for Kilkenny’s second of the afternoon.

After the game, Presentation College manager Joe Finnerty spoke to Galway Bay FM's Mike Rafferty.

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PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOOL, KILKENNY | Isabelle Carroll, Anna Morrissey, Roisin Foley, Hannah Griffey, Maria Ryan, Ellie Barron, Kate Ryan, Olivia Dunphy ©, Emily Phelan ©, Meadhbh Doherty, Ellen Treacy

SUBS USED | Kate Dalton for Treacy (46) Amy O’Shea for Barron (46). Chloe Tennyson for K Ryan (70) Sophie McCabe for Morrissey (70+3), Ella Cody for Foley (70+3)

SUBS NOT USED | Emily Doyle, Tara Rose Dunphy, Brooke Quirke

EXTENDED PANEL | Kate Daly, Megan O’Reilly, Kara Canavan, Grace O’Farrell, Emily O’Rourke, Lauren Moran, Katie O’Shea, Sophie Malone.

TEACHERS | Colin Kinsella, Orlaith Conlon COACHES | Ray Meagher, David Doyle

 

PRESENTATION COLLEGE, ATHENRY | Jane Brennan, Cadhla Fox, Saoirse Counihan, Brooke Corcoran, Kate Kennedy, Niamh Kilgannon ©, Sophie Hogan, Abbie Duffy, Mollie Noone ©, Amira Bouhlel McNamara, Anna Jordan

SUBS USED | Lily Mae Feeney for Counihan (67), Aideen Kilgannon for Hogan (70+5), Aoibhe Corcoran for McNamara (70+5),  Isobel Behan for Jordan (70+6)

SUBS NOT USED | Aoibhín Hannon, Katie Noone,  Isobel Furey, Isobel Beldon, Ciara Doyle

EXTENDED PANEL | Sarah Egan, Ailbhe Mannion, Charolette Mangan, Chloe Keane, Ciara Mullins Eve Connolly Ledwith, Kacie Lally Duffy, Leah Mullins, Sarah Egan, Tegan Kilkenny.

TEACHERS | Joe Finnerty, Edel Kilgannon, Dom Coll