League News Updates
HOLY Cross College have been crowned Dale Farm Senior Schools’ Cup Champions
HOLY Cross College have been crowned Dale Farm Senior Schools’ Cup Champions. Over 250 spectators witnessed a fantastic match between the Holy Cross girls and Carrick Grammar at Moyola Football Club.
Within minutes it was clear that Holy Cross were determined to lift the cup when Lauren Brennan blasted a shot from 20 yards out that ricocheted off the upright straight into the hands of Carrick Grammar goalkeeper Jennifer Rogers. Holy Cross enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half and were only denied due to some excellent goalkeeping by Rogers and resolute defending by Carrick captain Emma Murray in the centre of defence. Despite the efforts of Holy Cross players such as Brennan, Laura McSorley and Eimear Molloy the score remained 0–0 at half-time.
Carrick started the second half with a little more determination and within five minutes had their best chance. After winning a free kick on the edge of the box Vicki McMaw delivered the ball into the path of Emma Murray who coolly pulled it back to Courtney Greene whose shot narrowly missed the target. Sparked by this effort on their goal Holy Cross broke down the left wing with McSorley beating a couple of players before unleashing a thunderous shot towards goal.
Rogers managed to save the initial shot but was unable to block the rebound strike from Brennan inside the penalty area. Despite several other attempts on goal the score finished 1–0 and when referee Lauren Murray blew the whistle there were scenes of jubilation among the 100 travelling Holy Cross supporters.
Irish FA President Jim Shaw was on hand to present Holy Cross captain Hannah Corey with the trophy and commented after the game: “I thoroughly enjoyed the match today and was particularly overwhelmed by the amount of support from both schools. I am hopeful that girls’ and women’s football will be one of the beneficiaries of the new capital funding that the Irish FA recently announced, and that improvements will continue to be made at all levels.”
PE teacher Gerald Boyle remarked: “I am so proud of the girls’ and I am delighted with the victory. It was a tremendous performance and hopefully it will inspire another generation of girls’ to get involved in football, not just in Holy Cross but in County Tyrone itself. The cup final was extremely well organised by the Irish FA and I want to personally thank the Women’s Department for all their hard work.”
Irish FA Women’s Football Coordinator and organiser of the event Sara Booth added: “We have just witnessed a fabulous showcase for girls’ and women’s football here at Moyola today. I was so excited when I saw all the supporters getting off the buses and was worried by the fact that we wouldn’t have enough seats to cater for everyone. I would like to personally thank Moyola Football Club and in particular Valarie Martin for the use of their ground. The facilities at Mill Meadow are exceptional and we were delighted to be able to use them today. As always, thank you to Dale Farm for their continued support of girls’ football. Hopefully this will be the first of many occasions when the Women’s Department have to worry if there are enough seats for spectators at one of our events.”
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