Donegan and Walsh lead the way for dominant ACC girls

Athlone CC 7 Alexandra College 1

By Eamon A. Donoghue

Athlone CC crushed Alexandra College with a dominant performance, scoring seven goals in this Leinster Schools senior (U-20) semi-final at Athlone Town Stadium recently.

The Athlone side is now through to the Leinster final where they will play Gorey CS of Wexford next Monday, January 22 (Wayside Celtic FC, 12.00), courtesy of a totally dominant display.

Ireland U17 international Hazel Donegan set the trend by scoring the opening goal. From then on, it was one way traffic and the game was put out of sight for the Dublin visitors long before half-time.

Donegan finished with a hat-trick and she left the play early in the second half to give the substitutes a run out. Ciara Walsh scored two goals and she controlled the game from midfield, teasing the opposition with her trickery in possession and spraying the ball about as if it was on a string. Walsh and Donegan combined numerous times and ACC could have scored more goals as they threatened continuously from the kick-off.

With Tara O’Sullivan directing proceedings from the back and Alison Nugent always available on the flank, Athlone CC simply had too much for their opponents. Nothing troubled Ella Naughton in the Athlone goal. Alexandra had just two incursions of note into the Athlone defence in the first half, and it was all too easy for the hosts.

After a number of close attempts, Donegan had two shots just wide of the post, while hots from Ciara Murphy and Ciara Walsh were saved. Then Donegan walked the ball into the net for the opening goal in the 18th minute. Donegan was also involved in the second goal. This time she was the supplier, and her cross was met on the volley by Walsh and the ball rattled the net.

Athlone then extended their lead, this time Murphy with the assist as Nugent’s shot from distance beat Meabh McCormick.

Then two more goals, both scored by Donegan and both created by Walsh, left Athlone CC leading 5-0 at half-time.

Athlone then threw on subs in the second half. Alexandra had struggled to get the ball past the halfway line in the first half and it got a whole lot harder for them when Athlone introduced Aoife Walsh at centre-half. Aoife, just back from a cruciate ligament injury, got in just 20 minutes before being taking off again for precautionary reasons. But she stood out like a beacon for the time she did play.

The game evened up somewhat with all the substitutions but Athlone had the damage long done. Alexandra finally threatened the Athlone goal and substitute Anna-Lilly Farrelly scored with a low shot to the corner of Naughton’s goal. In fairness to the Dublin school, they continued to play in good spirit for the duration of the game, despite knowing they were well beaten.

Athlone weren’t to be outdone in the second half, and they finished off the match with two late goals. Substitute Caoimhe Dolan finished Ciara Walsh’s free to the net and it was fitting that Ciara finished off the scoring with her second. Walsh’s goal from outside the box summed up her all round performance. She was one of the few Athlone girls to play the 80 minutes.

Athlone CC now play Gorey CS in the final and this well balanced team certainly looks capable of winning silverware. Tara O’Sullivan, Ciara Walsh and Hazel Donegan are the core in the team. If they could get Aoife Walsh back starting at centre-half, they would be a match for anyone.

Player of the match: Ciara Walsh (Athlone CC). Walsh showed her wide array of skills with her passing and finishing standing out. She was the orchestrator of the team. Tara O’Sullivan was the anchor at the back and Hazel Donegan the predator up front. Aoife Walsh had just a 20-minute cameo, but looked one of the most accomplished players on the pitch.

Key moment: In a game that was over after 30 minutes, the key moment was probably the opening goal scored by Hazel Donegan. Although Athlone CC had totally dominated possession, it took them 18 minutes to score. From then on things looked ominous for Alexandra College and the goals flowed for ACC.

Scorers: - Athlone CC: H Donegan (3), C Walsh (2), A Nugent and C Dolan (1 each). Alexandra College: A.L. Farrelly.

Athlone Community College: Ella Naughton, Lara Deehan, Rachel Burke, Tara O’Sullivan, Bonnie Moylette, Kelly Sammon, Caitlín Gavin, Ciara Walsh, Ciara Murphy, Hazel Donegan, Alison Nugent. Subs used: Chloe Shanahan, Charlotte Blackweir, Aiveen Curley, Caoimhe Dolan, Aoife Minnock, Aoife Walsh, Rebecca Keenan. Rest of panel: Sally Joyce, Roisin O'Brien, Juliet Shine.

Alexandra College: Meabh McCormick, Juliet Graham, Jessica Warman Spain, Orla McDermott, Emily Finlay, Izzy Nolan, Clodagh Franke, Dara Fernandez O’Leary, Aisling O’Sullivan, Elizabeth Duffy, Tilly McCarthy. Subs used: Susie Rohan, Emma Fogarty, Blaithaid Conroy, Anna-Lilly Farrelly, Izzy Looby.

Referee: John McCrossan (Athlone).