Donegal Girls win Interprovincial
title
11.11.10
ULSTER made history in the
midlands on Sunday when they lifted the Girls’
Interprovincial title for the first ever time after a
sterling performance in the three day match series.
The Interprovincial series is the first step in the
process of selecting the FAI Schools U15 International
squad for next year’s Bob Docherty Tournament so as well
as provincial honours; there was plenty at stake with 68
of the top players in Irish schools taking part.
The dominant force in this competition over the years
has been Munster and more recently Leinster as they have
all experienced the taste of success in the annual event
but, for the first ever time it was Ulster, selected
entirely from County Donegal, who won out.
Nicola Roche, (St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar),
Nakita Burke (Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny), Margaret
Mulhall (Moville Community College) were the three back
room staff involved in the Ulster side’s success and
they were very proud of the girls achievements. It was
especially poignant for Mulhall who had been involved
with the Interprovincial setup for over eight years so
understandably it was a joyous occasion for her
personally as the title came home to Donegal. |
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Ulster were crowned
Champions in Athlone after recording a comprehensive
five points, with two wins and a draw in the closely
contested competition. The panel of 17 players all from
Donegal were exceptional with 14 goals scored and only 4
goals conceded in their three matches. A real team
effort which will surely merit several international
call ups for some of their stars to the U15 school
trials later this month.
Ulster faced Munster in their first game and the game
definitely lived up to expectations as the spectators
witnessed end-to-end action. Amber Barrett and Aine
McLaughlin registered for Ulster while Megan Connolly
supplied Munster’s two goals to ensure honours even
(2-2) and a one point tally for each province after a
pulsating 60 minutes of football.
On Saturday, Connacht took on Ulster in a mouth watering
tie. Ulster were however too strong for the western side
and they were comfortable 5-2 winners on the day.
Ulster’s goals came from Nadene Crawford (Loreto
Letterkenny) (2), Orla McAteer (Loreto Milford), Amber
Barrett and Moville’s Sarah Jane McDonald.
Ulster’s strong display against Connacht ensured that
the players were growing in confidence and learning to
play as a unit.
The tournament was wide open on Sunday morning when
Munster’s 4-0 win against Connacht put down a strong
marker for the other two teams in contention. If the
final game of the series was a draw, Munster would be
crowned Champions once again. However a win for either
Leinster or Ulster would mean victory for the Province.
Leinster started the decisive game with a flourish and
enjoyed the early exchanges. It was however against the
run of play when Ulster’s Roma McLaughlin gifted the
lively Amber Barrett with an inviting pass down the wing
with 12 minutes registered. Barrett seized her
opportunity well and angled the ball past the keeper
with an inch perfect shot from her left peg to open
Ulster’s account.
Four minutes later Barrett stepped up again to register
her second of the afternoon, this time Caoimhe McMenamin
turned supplier.
The versatile Paula McGrory got Ulster’s third moments
later after a great display of individual magic saw her
slot home from close range.
Ulster’s fourth just before the break was somewhat
scrappy as Eimear Lafferty headed the ball into the back
of the net after some confusion from the Leinster
defence.
Barrett secured her hat-trick early in the second half
with a superior piece of skill that saw her outclass two
defenders to bury the ball past the on rushing Tamara
Furlong. Sarah Jane McDonald made it 6-0 on 45 minutes
as her shot glided to the back of the net after some
nice footwork in the box deceived Furlong’s rescue
attempts.
Paula McGrory made it 7-0 eight minutes from time with
an awesome display of one touch football as she rounded
three defenders to guide the ball past the bemused
Coláiste Bride keeper.
A wonderful display from the Ulster girls was a fitting
end to the tournament as Coaches Nicola Roche, Nakita
Burke and Margaret Mulhall accepted the trophy from
Chairman Tom Bolger.
The Republic of Ireland Schools team will be defending
their prestigious crown so the new management team will
be hoping for continued success in the International Bob
Docherty tournament that will be held on the week
commencing 11 April next year.
In all, 12 girls from the winning Ulster side have been
called to the international trials which get under way
shortly. They include Rebekah Henry, Kathy McLaughlin,
Eimear Lafferty, Aine McLaughlin, Sarah Jane McDonald
and Roma McLaughlin (all Moville Community College),
Paul McGrory (Crana College), Carla McBride (Mulroy
College), Saorla McGarrigle and Nadine Crawford (both
Loreto Letterkenny), Orla McAteer and Amber Barrett
(both Loreto Milford).
Ulster: Carla McBride (Mulroy College), Rebekah
Henry (Moville CC), Aisling McDevitt (Loreto CS,
Milford), Kathy McLaughlin (Moville CC), Saorla
McGarrigle (Loreto Convent SS, Letterkenny), Nadine
Crawford (Loreto Convent SS, Letterkenny), Eimear
Lafferty (Moville CC), Aine McLaughlin (Moville CC),
Orla McAteer (Loreto CS, Milford), Amber Barrett (Loreto
CS, Milford), Sarah Jane McDonald (Moville CC), Aine
Coll (Pobalscoil Falcarragh), Caoimhe McMenamin (St.
Columba’s College, Stranorlar), Aisling McDermott
(Loreto CC, Milford), Paula McGrory (Crana College,
Buncrana), Melissa McDermott (Moville CC), Roma
McLaughlin (Moville CC)
Management: Nicola Roche, (St. Columba’s College,
Stranorlar), Nakita Burke (Coláiste Ailigh,
Letterkenny), Margaret Mulhall (Moville CC)
Friday 5 November (Leah Victoria Park, Tullamore)
Leinster 2-0 Connacht
Munster 2-2 Ulster
Saturday 6 November (Willow Park, Athlone)
Leinster 2-2 Munster
Ulster 5-2 Connacht
Sunday 7 November (Willow Park, Athlone)
Munster 4-0 Connacht
Ulster 7-0 Leinster
For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the
Inishowen Independent. |
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