Athlone CC girls denied as Thurles prevail on penalties

Athlone CC 0 Presentation SS, Thurles 0 (AET), Thurles win 4-2 pens

Athlone Community College lost to Presentation Secondary School, Thurles after a nail-biting penalty shoot-out in the FAI Schools Senior (U-20) Girls National Cup semi-final yesterday afternoon (Thursday).

Played in Killavilla, close to Roscrea, the game finished scoreless and even extra-time failed to produce a goal.

The heroines of the day were the goalkeepers - Athlone’s Ella Naughton and Thurles scholar Caitlin Shelly, who were exceptional throughout the game and both kept clean sheets. Thurles Dramatically switched their number one for the spot-kicks as Chloe Shorley stepped up to the mark.

Incredibly both keepers got their fingertips to save the first penalties with Molly Kirwan of Thurles and Walsh of Athlone not registering scores. The pressure was on for the remaining contenders.

Thurles and Athlone both converted their second (courtesy of team captains Grace Flanagan and Tara O’Sullivan) and third attempts (Ciara Breslin and Hazel Donegan). Presentation's fourth was slotted home by Molly O’Dwyer. However, Alison Nugent’s effort for Athlone then hit the woodwork.

Then Shorley, who was donning the goalkeeper jersey, stepped up to score the fifth and ensure the Tipperary team's progress to the final.

It was a lacklustre encounter which left all the drama and intensity to the final stages of the game.

Ciara Breslin had two attempts on goal within the first 20 minutes, her first saved brilliantly by Naughton, while her other long range effort sailed inches over the crossbar.

Early in the second period, Breslin was in prime position to score but a last ditch intervention from Naughton saved the Athlone crew. A number of set-pieces were awarded to both teams but no one could breach the opposing defence.

Athlone's Alison Nugent had a beautiful volley from a corner three minutes from time but again Shelly did enough to thwart the attempt.

Extra-time couldn’t break the deadlock as the dreaded shoot-out ensued, and it proved a thrilling end to proceedings.

A massive sigh of relief for Barry Ryan’s side to get over the line as they now prepare to face Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana in this year’s decider. The National Cup final will take place on Wednesday, February 21 with the venue to be confirmed.

Athlone Community College: Ella Naughton, Rachel Rourke, Tara O’Sullivan (captain), Lara Deehan, Bonnie Moylette, Keeley Sammon, Alison Nugent, Ciara Walsh, Caitlin Gavin, Hazel Donegan, Ciara Murphy. Subs used: Aoife Walsh for Moylette (28 mins), Aoife Minnock for Sammon (88), Caoimhe Dolan for Walsh (91). Rest of panel: Chloe Shanahan, Aiveen Curley, Rebecca Keenan, Juliet Shine, Roisin O’Brien. Coaches: Edel Menton, Kevin McCarthy.

Presentation Secondary School, Thurles: Caitlin Shelly, Ellen Maher, Molly O’Dwyer, Neasa Dwan, Leanna Coppinger, Grace Flanagan (captain), Ava Ryan, Chloe Shorley, Ciara Breslin, Molly Kirwan, Aoife Shelly. Sub used: Eimear Dwan for A Ryan (56 mins). Rest of panel: Lily Ryan, Abbey Challen, Molly Quinn, Eva Walsh, Elana McGrath, Roisin Dwan. Coaches: Barry Ryan, Cian Treacy.

Referee: Mark Greene (Roscrea).