Moate CS secure Leinster senior title as winning streak continues
Lidl LGFA Leinster Post-Primary Schools Senior 'A' Championship final
Moate CS 4-9 Scoil Chríost Rí 3-7
By Eamon A. Donoghue
The Moate Community School success story in ladies football keeps on going. Having retained the Leinster junior ‘A’ title the previous week, Moate CS claimed the Leinster senior crown by overcoming a very determined Scoil Chríost Rí side in Kinnegad recently.
The Moate CS girls keep on giving outstanding performances and winning silverware. A number of the players involved in this game have picked up Leinster winners’ medals at U14 and U16 level (also claiming the U16 All-Ireland in March 2025) and have now added a Leinster senior title to their collection. They have that winning feeling and are capable of winning games that they seem at risk of losing. It’s a case of success breeding success.
This game started off like a standoff with neither side giving an inch. Both teams played sweepers, Abby Louise Byrne for Chríost Rí and number 15 Heidi Murray the extra defender for Moate. Both defences were on top in the early exchanges and both sides largely relied on spells of momentum and whoever scored the most during those spells of dominance would be the team to lift the cup.
With excellent defending in numbers from both sides, scores were scarce early on. Chríost Rí sweeper Byrne was hoovering up possession and at the other end, Moate turned over opposing attacks time and again. Lucy Allen at left half-back won back possession four times in quick succession and such play helped to set the agenda for the Westmeath school. Katie Doolan and Aine Bracken were also prominent in the early stages.
Alex Kelly opened the scoring for Moate CS, the Cill Óige player pointing a free after she was fouled herself. Moate had loads of possession, mostly from turning over their opponents, though they struggled to get enough support up into their attack to break down the Chríost Rí defence.
After failing numerous times to get past Allen and Lucy Champ, the Portlaoise school tried the left flank of their attack in the hope of getting some success. In Irish U18 rugby international Rebecca Cahill, they had one of the outstanding players on the pitch. Cahill, a powerful player with pace and skill, ripped through the Moate defence and beat Emily Nally for the opening goal.
Then Sarah McDonald marauded up from defence to score a point, with Cahill the creator. Moate desperately needed to build some momentum. In typical fashion, they responded and scored the next four scores in succession. Hardworking midfielder Erin Ó Faoláin, Anna Ryan, Katie Doolan and Kelly all kicked scores to put them into the ascendancy, 0-5 to 1-1. Those were the moments when Moate showed they had that little bit extra over their opponents once they could get any momentum going.
Chríost Rí kicked the next four scores without a reply from Moate. Anna Mulligan kicked a brace of scores from frees and Cahill kicked a brace from play. Cahill caused problems for Moate every time she got possession. Chríost Rí were three points in the ascendancy when the excellent Anna Ryan scored an outstanding point to leave the half-time score Chríost Rí 1-5 Moate CS 0-6.
Managed by John Scully, Ciara Glynn, Brian Devaney, Liam Whelehan and renowned former Laois dual player Pat Critchley, Chríost Rí started the second half brightly. Poppy Duff and Mulligan kicked scores to extend the Laois school’s lead, 1-7 to 0-6.
But Moate always looked capable of having their moments of supremacy. Moate kicked a number of wides, and it seemed just a matter of time before they would find their rhythm again.
Moate needed another burst of momentum to give them confidence. The Moate CS management of Carol Price, Amy Hughes and Richie Price moved Chloe Malone to midfield early in the second half and the youngster’s ability to tackle and take responsibility in this core area of the field helped MCS to regain control.
They responded again and Offaly star Ryan scored a goal to level the contest (1-7 each) in the 39th minute. Malone, Allen, Ó Faoláin and Kelly were all involved in the build up to the goal by Ryan, who was causing havoc every time she gained possession.
After substitute Hannah Pratlett made an inspirational block, Garrycastle’s Kacey Mulvihill passed to Ryan and the Naomh Ciarán player scored another point. Moate were gradually gaining a grip on the game, with Malone having a huge influence in the middle sector, adding panache to the work rate of Ó Faoláin and Doolan. The introduction of Ally Duffy was crucial as she was continuously available for a pass and prepared to run at the opposition.
Moate were growing in confidence and Eva Fox scored their second goal, with Malone’s directness and pace creating the opportunity.
The eventual winners then put daylight between the sides when Fox scored their third goal - this time from the penalty spot. Murray, Malone and Allen were all involved in the move and joint captain Doolan was fouled for the penalty. Malone scored their fourth goal, from a free, her attempt for a point ending up in the net. Was it now game over?
But Chríost Rí had character and no little determination, and they also had Rebecca Cahill. They didn’t give up and two late goals provided some consolation. One was fortunate from Mulligan’s long range free, with the other scored by Lara Culleton. During this period the sin-binning of Alex Kelly probably also helped Chríost Rí to get these scores. But the Laois side deserved these scores, having almost been a match for Moate on the day.
Moate finished the scoring when Kelly, who had just returned after spending ten minutes on the sideline, tapped over a free and with that came the final whistle to signal yet another Leinster title for the Westmeath school.
MCS were fortunate on a couple occasions, especially the penalty that looked harsh on Chríost Rí, and Malone’s free that ended up in the net over the reaching hands of keeper Kate Scully Maher. Overall, however, they were the better team and deserved the title.
Moate have secured back to back Leinster junior titles and have achieved a Leinster double this year with both junior and senior championships won. The Moate girls aren’t finished yet and they will be in contention to win another All-Ireland U16 title in the new year, as well as trying to add an All-Ireland senior title to their roll of honour.
Player of the match: Anna Ryan (Moate CS). Ryan was outstanding from the opening minute to the last. The Doon girl's pace and ability caused havoc every time she gained possession. All the Moate defence were once again rock solid, though they had their problems with Rebecca Cahill. Lucy Allen (especially in the first 15 minutes, when Moate were under the cosh), Aine Bracken and substitute Pratlett (second half) made huge turnovers and key plays. Both Erin Ó Faoláin and Katie Doolan worked hard at midfield, with Ó Faoláin going as strong in the last minute as the first.
The huge potential of Chloe Malone was again to the fore and despite being one of the youngest players on the pitch, she was one of the most mature in terms of decision making in possession. Malone was most effective in midfield, where she can produce moments of brilliance by running at the opposition. Moate have a very talented set of forwards, with Alex Kelly the leader along with Ryan, and they also had the option of bringing in Ally Duffy, who played key role. Heidi Murray, a clever player, was an effective sweeper and Eva Fox and Kacey Mulvihill also contributed hugely. Once again Emily Nally was secure in goal. For Scoil Chríost Rí, Rebecca Cahill was outstanding and she was best supported by Anna Mulligan.
Scorers - Moate CS: A Ryan 1-3, E Fox 2-0, A Kelly 0-4 (3 frees), C Malone 1-0 (f), E Ó Faoláin and K Doolan 0-1 each. Scoil Chríost Rí: A Mulligan 1-3 (1-2f), R Cahill 1-2, Lara Culleton 1-0, P Duffy and S McDonald 0-1 each.
Moate Community School - Emily Nally; Heather Touhey, Neasa Trainor, Lucy Champ; Lucy Martin, Aine Bracken, Lucy Allen; Erin Ó Faoláin, Katie Doolan (joint captain); Anna Ryan, Kacey Mulvihill, Eva Fox (joint captain); Alex Kelly, Chloe Malone, Heidi Murray. Subs used: Hannah Pratlett for Martin (33 mins, injured), Ally Duffy for Mulvihill (50), Grace Galvin for Champ (54), Maria Loddick for Touhey (55), Riona Foley for Malone (62).
Scoil Chríost Rí, Portlaoise - Kate Scully Maher; Ellen Bergin, Clodagh Fingleton, Abbey Louise Byrne; Sarah McDonald, Lara Culleton, Saffron Adams; Aine Nolan, Grainne Coleman; Anna Mulligan, Katie Grant, Poppy Duff; Rebecca Cahill, Faye Brown, Doireann Brennan. Subs used: Leah Brennan for Coleman (43 mins), Kara Phelan for Duff (53), Faye Byrne for Byrne (56).
Referee - Paul Meaney (Dublin).