Munster Express Online

Joint-captains Elaine Looby (l) and Jessica Glavin (r) with the Cup.

Blackwater CS 0; Colaiste Bride, Enniscorthy 0 (BCS won 4-3 on penalties AET)

Last Friday week Lismore’s Blackwater Community School’s U13 girls soccer panel claimed a historic victory in the FAIS Umbro U13 Girls All-Ireland Soccer Final – and in doing so secured Waterford’s first ever schoolgirls national title.

The sun shone bright and hot on a pristine Ozier Park for a game with intensity, drama and talent worthy of the ocacsion. Despite a nervous and energetic atmosphere, both teams hit the ground running and were clearly going for the win. The Enniscorthy defence were strong and organised, stopping a number of well-worked attacks from Elaine Looby and Sinead Shanahan in the early stages.

Blackwater had the opportunity to break the deadlock from an outsanding Kayleigh Power free-kick which shook the cross-bar after 15 minutes of play. Then Ciara McCarthy came close with a high-looping shot from the left edge of the box that was just parried wide by a hard working Enniscorthy keeper. Enniscorthy also had a number of chances, with a lot of threats coming from international player Mary Tyrrell on the left wing and fast-paced Rita Fortune in centre midfield, but exceptional work by sweeper and dual captain Jessica Glavin kept the teams deadlocked at the half.

The second half started as dramatically as the first, with Sarah Coughlan hitting the crossbar in the early stages. Mary Tyrrell again threatened, but dogged tackling and great teamwork by Lorraine Bray and Emily Power on right wing and back helped to break down each attack. Blackwater’s strikers were unlucky not to get a break, with Sarah Coughlan claiming a lot of ball in centre of midfield and providing great service to Avril Power who was unlucky not to hit the back of the net.
See The Munster Express newspaper for full match report.