On Thursday 26th April, the Junior As returned to Rockwell for the Junior A cup final… the last time we won the Junior A cup was in Rockwell in 2019 where we beat Mount Mercy on shuttles and we were hoping the result would go our way again this week against last years Minor A finalists Crescent.
The game was a very tense affair from the start with both teams sussing each other out tactically in Q1. Our midfield working tirelessly to stop any Crescent attack most especially Lorna Ryan who tackled brilliantly twice in the circle in Q1 and cleared her lines launching an Ursuline attack. This set the tone for the game, we were in for a fight.
In Q2 Crescent earned several corners that were brilliantly defended by our post players (2 exceptional saves and clearances by Aoife Fanning on the line). Sarah Spain proved a rock in defence in general play intercepting everything that came her way in Q2.
The Ursuline girls came out firing in Q3 and hit their rhythm and began breaking through the Crescent midfield with good skills shown from Emma McDonald and Gabrielle Morrissey. The deadlock was broken mid way through the 2nd half with a brilliant solo effort from Emma McDonald who broke through several tackles with a run from the halfway line, she entered the circle with 3 players around her & unleashed a magnificent diving reverse stick shot that ended up in the roof of the net. An outstanding finish in a high pressured game.
Buoyed by the opening goal the Ursuline girls grew in confidence and late in Q3 broke down the left, Emma McDonald managed to send the ball across the circle, the Crescent GK made a half save under pressure from Anna Doyle and the ball broke to Eadaoin Carroll who slotted it home.
Crescent remained dangerous and after picking up a loose free inside their own 25 they broke up field at pace playing several 1-2s and slotted it past the oncoming Sarah Schofield who did her best to shut them out.
With the score at 2-1 heading into the final quarter the Ursuline girls knew they needed to maintain their composure and to keep fighting hard and that they did! The defence were solid throughout with Sarah Spain mopping up anything that came in her vicinity showing composure beyond her years.
With 5 minutes to go Crescent broke into the circle and sent a ball towards goal only for Leah O’Connell to clear brilliantly off the line. Crescent took their GK off with 3 mins to go but the girls stuck to their task and managed to hold their lines and with a minute to go scored with a breakaway goal into an empty net, with Emma McDonald beating several players and sending the ball towards goal to an unmarked Anna Doyle to slot home and secure the win for the Ursuline girls once again!
A fantastic win for a very special group of players who have worked tirelessly all year with the sole aim of adding the Junior A cup to the Minor A cup they won last year! Thanks also to their coach Ms.Cregan. Well done girls we are so proud of the performance you put in against a very tough Crescent side! A special day for you and your families and a special day for the school.