Super Saints are into an All-Ireland final

BRILLIANT Saint Attracta’s, who were crowned Connach champions on Thursday last, now have an All-Ireland to look forward to – thanks to Tuesday’s 2-1 sensational extra-time win over St Mary’s High School Midleton (Cork) in the FAI Schools Senior Girls National Cup semi-final.

Team captain Kerri ‘Pixie’ O’Hara was involved in the winning goal in the first period of extra-time – her free-kick sent into the box resulted in an own goal to put St Attracta’s 2-1 up in Ennis.

In the second period of exta-time there was a crucial save from St Attracta’s goalkeeper Macayla Burke. St Attracta’s were unfortunate not to score early on in normal time when a Lauren Normanly shot hit the crossbar. The Tubbercurry secondary school later went a goal down. A Cara King effort came off the upright and Lauren Normanly had another shot at goal, from a Rebecca Doddy pass, as St Attracta’s were a goal down at half-time in normal time. A late equaliser from Kerri O’Hara, who converted Rebecca Doddy’s cross, brought matters into extra-time. Reaching the national stage makes up for last year’s extra-time loss in the All-Ireland semi-final in the FAI Schools Junior Girls National Cup when St Attracta’s, with the majority of the current senior panel, were beaten 2-1 by Ulster champions Scoil Mhuire from Buncrana.

The All-Ireland final is set for later this month – Wednesday, February 22 – with either Scoil Mhuire (Buncrana) or Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré as their opponents. Scoil Mhuire (Buncrana) face Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré at ATU Sligo’s allweather pitch today, Thursday, in the All-Ireland semi-final (1pm). Meanwhile, Sligo’s other FAI Schools provincial winners this season, Coola Post Primary School, are scheduled to play their FAI Schools Junior ‘B’ Girls National Cup semi-final on Tuesday next, February 7. Coola, who won the Connacht title on Monday of this week, will be up against the Munster champions – either Midleton College (Cork) or Kilmallock’s Coláiste Iósaef Community College.

SILVERWARE: St Attracta’s were captained by Kerri ‘Pixie’ O’Hara in last week’s decider.