Crana College Buncrana crowned First Year 'B' Girls Cup Champions

Crana College Buncrana were crowned First Year ‘B’ Girls National Cup Champions in Ray MacSharry Park, Sligo following Carly McColgan’s extra-time winner.

Crana College, Buncrana 1-0 St. Joseph’s SS, Foxford (after extra-time)

There was nothing between the two sides as Buncrana overcame tough opposition in St Joseph’s Secondary School of Foxford in an entertaining encounter played in difficult conditions.

McColgan had netted herself a hat-trick in the Cup semi-final and followed this up with a sensational goal five minutes into extra-time which proved vital. The opening period was frantic as Olivia O’Doherty had the first real threat on the Foxford goal as she came close to the mark with only three minutes played.

It took Foxford some time to settle into proceedings. Ciara Connick had a strike from distance with 15 minutes on the clock but the ball dragged wide of the far post.

The teams went into the break scoreless. Foxford nearly conceded a goal immediately after the restart as a ricocheted ball out of defence saw the ball float over Erin Dootson head but much to her relief, it sailed inches over the woodwork.

Pheobe Blakeborough and Carly McColgan were dangerous on the attack but Heidi Killeen and Aoife Kenny managed to keep them at bay for much of the second half. Shauna Breslin’s set pieces were excellent but they couldn’t penetrate the Buncrana defence as the game went to extra-time.

The vital move came five minutes into that period when Carly McColgan latched onto a through ball from Muireann Nic Dhonaill. The pacy teenager rounded a defended and slotted past the diving keeper to net confidently.

Unfortunately for Foxford, the wind was against them in the second half of extra time as they fought hard for an equaliser late on. Buncrana just did enough to see out the game and clinch their second-ever National title.

Gerry Casey’s side snatched their first National title in 2008 at Senior ‘B’ level on penalties in Athlone IT when the girls overcame St. Mary’s SS, Newport 5-3 on spot kicks after the game ended scoreless in extra-time. The Crana crew like drama and they certainly entertained the spectators this afternoon with some excellent football in rough conditions.

Great credit to Ryan Merchant’s team were outstanding. Earlier in the season the School won the Senior ‘B’ title but the elusive double proved too difficult to reach. There’s always next year.

Crana College Buncrana: Chloe Grant, Kate Murray, Margaret Sharkey, Cliona McColgan, Anna Crawford, Starr Toner, Olivia O’Doherty, Muireann Nic Dhonaill, Carly McColgan, Ailbhe Deeney, Pheobe Blakeborough.Sus: Demilee Curran, Niamhin Kearney, Hannah May O’Donnell, Hannah Bradley, Ella Cooke, Maria Strain
St Joseph's: Erin Dootson, Emily McHugh, Aoife Kenny, Heidi Killeen, Abbie O’Brien, Caoimhe Noone, Sarah Gallagher, Aimee McHugh, Aoibhe McConnellogue, Shauna Breslin, Ciara Connick. Subs: Katie Ruddy, Laoise Doherty, Tiffany Moyles, Annie Reynolds, Mollie Gallagher, Clodagh Lawless, Lily Rowlands, Grace Moran, Ailbhe Roche
Referee: John Barry (Sligo)