Manager Bruen praises players for their winning performances
FOCUS: Sophia Rose Henry in action for Coola.
THE ONLY blot on an otherwise perfect day for Coola Post Primary School was that there was nobody from the FAI Schools there to present the Junior ‘B’ Girls Connacht Cup to the winning joint-captains, Leanne Galvin and Bridget O’Reilly.
Heck, there wasn’t even sight of the provincial trophy – Coola’s first-ever in an FAI Schools Girls competition – but that couldn’t dilute the outpouring of sheer joy at MacSharry Park in Sligo town on Monday afternoon. The 3-1 defeat of Boyle’s Abbey Community School was savoured by everyone associated with Coola Post Primary School, especially team manager Eamonn Bruen.
“I’m delighted for the players – they are a lovely bunch. We didn’t have to do much work with them, a lot of them are involved with Arrow Harps where they get good coaching.” Striker Orlaith Scanlon put herself into the headlines with a second successive hat-trick. Bruen praised her and her team-mates.
“Orlaith was outstanding again but this team isn’t just about one player – everyone contributed, starting with goalkeeper Hannah Hargadon, who made some excellent saves and clearances.”
“At times it was nerve-racking on the sideline and I was wondering how much time was left, the clock seemed to be ticking very slowly.
“I was praying for the final whistle to come then we got a third goal and things were a little more comfortable.” Bruen and these players are adding to Coola’s status in the FAI Schools arena – last year they won the FAI Schools Junior ‘B’ Boys National Cup. “The school has won quite a few soccer trophies [with boys’ teams] when Kevin McCarthy was with us – he has moved on to