Cache Crumlish cracker clinches Ulster U17 Cup for Carndonagh CS
Carndonagh Community School edged out Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny in an absorbing final at Maginn Park on Tuesday.
Cache Crumlish scored an extra-time scorcher as Carndonagh Community School won the FAI Schools Ulster Under-17 Cup final.
Carndonagh Community School 3 Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny 2
(after extra time)
Cache struck gold in the second period of the extra time to light up Maginn Park.
The Sion Swifts prospect riffled to the top corner in style to deny gutsy Loreto, who hit back from 2-0 down.
With the last kick of normal time, Aileen Sweeney blasted in a dramatic equaliser for the Letterkenny school.
Late in the first half, Darcey Kelly headed in to reduce the deficit after Caitlin Doherty and Crumlish had Carndonagh 2-0 up by the 16th minute.
Carn had already hit the crossbar when Doherty found the bottom corner to break the deadlock on eight minutes.
It got even better for the Inishowen side when Crumlish, from a seemingly impossible angle on the right, landed her first bullseye of the day.
The first half water break arrived like a tonic for Letterkenny and they had new energy on the resumption.
After Aoife McCarron’s free dipped narrowly over for Carn, Loreto pulled a goal back on the half-hour when Kelly headed home from a Chloe Deeney corner.
On the stroke of half-time, Loreto were a lick of paint from being level, Kelly arrowing against the bar after another Deeney corner caused havoc.
McCarron and Bronagh Butler shot off target from distance and Loreto absorbed any danger.
It was one of those afternoons that needed a moment of magic. When Crumlish picked up possession, the wand spun into action and a memorable strike sees Carn through to a national semi-final.
Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny: Lucy Grant, Mia Devenney, Darcey Kelly, Orla Malseed, Tara Gildea, Sophie McLaughlin, Aileen Sweeney, Aibhe Daly, Katie Ryan, Leanne McGettigan, Chloe Deeney, Ciara Daly, Emer Cassidy, Lucy McKeever, Cara Shiels, Aoibheann McCauley, Katherine Hopkins, Molly Robinson, Molly Prendergast, Aoife Porter, Sarah Robinson, Niamh McLaughlin.
Carndonagh Community School: Enya Toland, Cora Ward, Eimear Devine, Zoe McLaughlin, Keisha Friel, Bronagh Butler, Jenna Gallagher, Aoife McCarron, Cache Crumlish, Caitlin Doherty, Maeve Doherty, Chloe McGonagle, Aoibhinn Hirrell, Jamie-Lee Collins, Grace McConalogue, Leona Duffy, Jessie Ruddy, Aoife Doherty, Chloe McGilloway, Melanie McGoldrick.
Referee: Danny McLaughlin.