Three Irish Internationals Star In Midlands Schools Contest

Tuesday, 1 March 2022 06:56

It took extra-time to seperate Killina and Presentation Secondary School Thurles.

Two goals in extra time from super subs Aoife Shelly and Emma O'Sullivan ensured the win for Barry Ryan’s charges in Killeshin FC last Friday afternoon.

The game was postponed as three players were called up for International duty with Dave Connell’s Under 19s. Killina netminder Ciara Glackin and Becky Watkins and Thurles star Aoibheann Clancy were all involved.

The trio played a starring role in this thrilling encounter as set pieces were the flavour of the day with Clancy and Watkins exchanging blows. But Glackin and Shelly ensured clean sheets when called upon and impressed on numerous occasions as the deadlock remained following eighty minutes of action.

The deadlock finally came two minutes into extra time as Aoife Shelly ran onto a through ball to lob the onrushing Glackin for a well worked goal. And again the onslaught continued on 86 minutes when Emma O’Sullivan doubled their tally.

Killina tested Caithlin Shelly from distance but couldn’t get back into the game in the second period of additional time.

Ryan will be delighted to advance to yet another Cup Final with a Senior title very much in his thoughts.

KILLINA PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOL: Ciara Glackin, Kaithlyn Spain, Ciara Heffernan, Rachel Dillon, Sarah Dillon, Ellen Dolan, Emma Hand, Becky Watkins (Captain), Ava Dolan, Sarah Doyle, Megan Daly

SUBS: Sophie Thortan, Aoife Minnock for Daly (90), Sarah Costello, Jane Maher for R Dillon (99), Blaithnaid Lynch

TEACHERS: Graham O’Connor, Philip Austin

PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOL, THURLES: Caithlin Shelly, Leanna Coppinger, Emer Owan, Caroline Shanahan, Kate Cavanagh (Joint Captain), Enya Maher, Ciara Shelly, Aoibheann Clancy (Joint Captain), Grace Flanagan, Molly O’Dwyer, Chloe Shorley

SUBS: Emma O’Sullivan for Shorley (41), Aoife Shelly for O’Dwyer (63), Amy Callanan, Ellen Maher for Owan (81), Ella Coppinger

TEACHERS: Barry Ryan, Cian Treacy

MATCH OFFICIAL: Gerard Bickerstaffe (Carlow)