Cohesive Coola are champions after close final
Aoibhin Doherty’s goal is sufficient for Coola Post Primary School in a 1 0 tough All-Ireland final encounter with Limerick side Coláiste Mhuire FAI Schools Junior ‘B’ Girls National Cup Final Coola PPS Coláiste Mhuire
THROUGHOUT the successful retention of their provincial title and into the All-Ireland series, there has been a clarity and certainty about Coola Post Primary School’s performances.
They had the players and a vibrant playing style to get results.
Therefore, once ahead through livewire forward Aoibin Doherty’s 26th minute goal, it seemed inevitable that Coola would claim victory over Limerick’s Coláiste Mhuire (Askeaton) in last Friday’s FAI Schools Junior ‘B’ Girls National Cup final. But because Coola failed to add to this 1-0 advantage at Athlone Town Stadium, where their vocal fans turned out in force, there was a chance – however slim – that Coláiste Mhuire would at least drag matters into extra-time. And so, in the second minute of additional time at the end of the second-half (each half was 35 minutes in length), Coláiste Mhuire mustered that one opportunity to flip the script.
Joint-captain Grace Fitzgibbon fizzed in a free-kick from the left flank and the ball almost crept in at the near post but Coola goalkeeper Hannah Hargadon, one of this team’s standouts, stood firm at the expense of a corner.
From the subsequent corner Coola were vigilant and team captain Orlaith Scanlon, whose goals were a vital part of this season and last season, cleared the danger. There was still time for Coola to almost add a second goal – the aforementioned Scanlon, who was quite productive although surprisingly not on the scoresheet, set up industrious winger SophiaRose Henry for a shot that the Coláiste Mhuire goalkeeper saved.
Beaten finalists Coláiste Mhuire had been outplayed but, to their credit, they did enough to stifle the superior Coola and restrict them to just one goal.
In blustery conditions in the midlands, Coola seized the initiative and almost immediately three of their best players, Hayley Mullaney, Leanne Galvin and Aoibhin Doherty
The number of minutes played when Aoibhin Doherty scored in this national decider.
TURNING POINT: