Destination Athlone as St Clare's CS Manorhamilton go for All-Ireland glory

Manorhamilton’s St Clare’s CS go for glory next Wednesday January 31, when they take on Limerick’s Colasite Mhuire Asketon in the FAI Schools Senior B Girls National Cup Final following a decisive victory over Pobalscoil Gaoth Dobhair in the semi-final.

The Leitrim school cemented their place in the decider following a decisive second half performance against the Donegal school in Letterkenny Community Centre on Tuesday January 16, and will now face the Limerick school in Athlone Town Stadium (1pm kick-off).

The venue may be slightly familiar to some of the St Clare’s player given Muireann Devaney’s stint with Athlone Town prior to her recent switch to Sligo Rovers and it promises to be an exciting encounter.

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Team manager Anthony McDonald will have an anxious wait as he accesses Amy Malode’s condition for the National Cup Final. The youngster had to come off just before the break of the semi-final victory with concussion so she may well be a doubt for the ultimate showcase.

Due to the inclement weather, the fixture was switched from Donegal Town to the all-weather in Letterkenny to ensure the game was played. Manorhamilton were first to strike as Áine McLoughlin’s shot flew over the Gweedore crossbar with just five minutes on the clock.

Maria Ní Ghallchoir responded ten minutes later with a lovely darting run down the right wing but the St. Clare’s shot stopper Cadhla Moffitt was equal to the challenge and diverted the danger quickly.

Amy Molade had a grasping attempt on 17 minutes but the ball was struck directly at the Gweedore number one. The breakthrough goal came six minutes later when Anna Devaney’s rocket from distance lifted the roof of the net for an outstanding finish to leave St Clare’s 1-0 ahead at the interval.

A purple patch for Anthony McDonald’s side saw Eimear Keaney net a brace either side of the hour mark. Keaney’s second of the afternoon and St. Clare’s third was a brilliant individual piece of magic to slot past the imposing keeper.

Anna Devaney turned supplier for St. Clare’s fourth eight minutes from time as Áine McLoughlin finished neatly at the far post from close range. 

Amy Malode and goal scorers Áine McLoughlin, Eimear Keaney and Anna Devaney were excellent for the Connacht Champions.

ST. CLARE’S CS MANORHAMILTON

Cadhla Moffitt, Sarah McGough, Grace Devaney, Eve Cepron, Sadhbh McGuire, Lauren Devaney, Aine McLoughlin, Amy Malode, Eimear Keaney, Anna Devaney, Sarah Mulvaney. Subs: Nessa Fox for Malode (39), Jacinta Gilbride for Sarah Devaney (75), Maebh Connolly for Eimear Keaney (79). Subs not used: Mia Connolly, Jessica Attard