Primary Schools Finals: Late goals boost Kilcloon side to stunning victory
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Daisy Collins clears the danger for Scoil Olibheir Naofa Kilcloon during Sunday’s Girls Div 2 final at Stamullen, Photo: Gerry Shanahan-www.cyberimages.net Gerry ShanahanImage 2 of 5
The Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa, Kilcloon NS players (from left) were: back - Maisie McCarthy, Hannah Jones, Juliet Naughton, Isla Staunton, Beth Molloy, Daisy Collins, Alicia Sheary, Amy Meagher, Éabha Nelson, Aoife Martin, Matilda Walsh, Isabelle MacCourt, Shonagh Farrelly; front - Siún Ní Bhriain, Amy O’Reilly, Zara Ellerker, Frances Anna Ferris, Liadha Dolan, Robyn Cosgrave, Doireann Ní Bhriain, Chloé Sheary, Ciara Fitzpatrick, Ava Roche, Jane Fitzgerald, Sadie Connelly. Photo: David Mullen-www.cyberimages.net David Mullen www.cyberimages.netImage 3 of 5
The Gaelscoil na Cille NS players (from left) were: back - Shonagh Ní Shionnaigh, Sadie Ní Dhughaill, Layla Ní Dhuibh, Mai Ní Cheallaigh, Cáit Ní Chaoimh, Caoimhe Nic an Choiligh, Cassidy Ní Chionnaith, Belle Ní Raghaillaigh, Megan Ní Dhufaigh, Sadhbh Nic Giolla Ruaidh, Robyn Nic Giolla Phádraig, Penny Ní Bhrudai, Éabha Lansu, Sloan Ní Chléirigh, Olivia Ní Mhórda; front - Mai Ní Cheallaigh, Éabha Ní Mharcaigh, Sloan Ní Chléirigh, Olivia Ní Mhórda, Isabelle Ní Eoghain, Elissa Mae Ní Chléirigh, Ellie Ní Dhálaigh, Saoirse Lansu, Jane Nic Mhánais, Chloé Ní hAonghusa Ní Fhionnagáin, Georgia Ní Chatháin, Saoirse Ní Thuama, Grace Nic Aogáin, Lauren Charman, Heather Nic Giolla Phádraig. David Mullen www.cyberimages.netImage 4 of 5
Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa, Kilcloon NS captain Frances Anna Ferris receives the Girls Div 2 Cup from proud coach and former Meath All-Ireland winning captain Shauna Ennis. Gerry ShanahanImage 5 of 5
Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa, Kilcloon NS’s Isla Staunton receives the Spirit of the Final award from the Meath Chronicle’s Tom Gannon. Gerry ShanahanScoil Oilibhear Naofa 4-4
Gaelscoil Na Cille 1-8
In a dramatic conclusion to the Meath Primary Schools Girls Div 2 final, Scoil Oilibheir Naofa, Kilcloon scored two injury time goals and stunned Gaelscoil Na Cille, Cill Dheaglain who led for the majority in Stamullen on Sunday.
With 20 minutes left, largely down to the exploits of their super midfield duo, Belle Ní Raghallaigh and Sadhbh Nic Giolla Ruaidh, Gaelscoil Na Cille led by three points. However, they only managed to register another three points for the remainder as Scoil Oilibhear Nafa defended very well. The late goals, scored by Isla Staunton and Hannah Jones, proved crucial in this thrilling decider.
Juliet Naughton’s stunning finish to the top-left corner opened the scoring and gave the eventual winners a boost early on. Gaelscoil na Cille settled into the clash as Nic Giolla Ruaidh set up Robyn Nic Giolla Phádraig for a nice point before she split the posts herself. Nic Giolla Ruaidh was also involved in a nice move which was polished off when Ní Raghallaigh found the back of the net and after 12 minutes the Ashbourne school led by two points.
Staunton got on the end of a well-worked Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa move and raised a white flag but at half-time Gaelscoil na Cille held a narrow advantage of 1-3 to 1-2. Ní Raghallaigh and Nic Giolla Ruaidh were prominent in the second-half for Gaelscoil Na Cille and they both scored a brace of points. The first of Jones’ goals came in the 30th minute and kept the Kilcloon side in touch.
Gaelscoile Na Cille dominated possession for the majority of the second-half. They held a two-point advantage ahead of injury time and looked home and hosed. However, late goals from Staunton and Jones as well as a point from Liadha Dolan turned the game on its head and secured the victory for Scoil Oilibhear Naofa.
Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa, Kilcloon: Beth Molloy; Maisie McCarthy, Daisy Collins, Ava Roche; Doireann Ní Bhriain, Robyn Cosgrave, Amy Meagher; Alicia Sheary, Juliet Naughton (1-1); Frances Anna Ferris (0-1 free), Isla Staunton (1-1), Isabelle MacCourt; Aoife Martin, Liadha Dolan (0-1), Zara Ellerker. Subs: Hannah Jones (2-0), Shonagh Farrelly, Chloé Sheary, Jane Fitzgerald, Matilda Walsh, Ciara Fitzpatrick, Éabha Nelson, Siún Ní Bhriain, Amy O’Reilly, Sadie Connelly. Mentors: Shauna Ennis, Megan Heffernan.
Gaelscoil na Cille, Cill Dhéagláin: Megan Ní Dhufaigh; Chloé Ní hAonghusa Ni Fhionnagain, Olivia Ní Mhórda, Ellie Ní Dhálaigh; Éabna Ní Mharcaigh, Sloan Ní Chléirigh, Mai Ní Cheallaigh; Belle Ní Raghallaigh (1-2), Sadhbh Nic Giolla Ruaidh (0-4 frees); Shonagh Ní Shionnaigh, Robyn Nic Giolla Phádraig (0-2), Saoirse Lansu; Éabha Lansu, Georgia Ní Chatháin, Penny Ní Bhrúdaír. Subs: Cáit Ní Chaoimh, Elissa Mae Ní Chléirigh, Isabelle Ní Eoghain, Caoimhe Nic an Choiligh, Layla Ní Dhuibh, Mya Ní Dhomhnaill, Cassy Ní Chionnaith, Heather Nic Giolla Phádraig, Lauren Charman, Jane Nic Mhánais, Sadie Ní Dhubhghaill, Kate Ní Bhraonáin, Saoirse Ní Thuama, Katie Ní Lóthair, Grace Ní Ghiobúin, Grace Nic Aogáin. Mentors: Ciaran O Fearraigh, Helen Mulvany.
Referee: Padraig Farrell (St Oliver’s NS, Navan).