Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí U15 girls’ team clinched the school’s first ever county soccer title on Wednesday with a thrilling
win in the Cork League final.
The girls came from behind twice before seeing off the challenge of a very talented Coláiste Mhuire Buttevant side that had won the previous group game between the teams.
Falling behind early, the West Cork school settled into the game and were level quickly through an Alice O’Donovan goal. With the teams very evenly matched, CPB were unfortunate to concede when a clearance from a corner kick was diverted into the net.
Despite another setback, CPB were again quick to recover and Emma Healy’s goal soon squared the scoreline heading to halftime.
CPB gradually gained more control of the game in a tense and keenly contested second period with an eye-catching performance from Mia Hegarty in the centre of midfield and from captain Seren Lehane at the heart of the defence.
With the teams deadlocked as the clock ticked down toward the final ten minutes, substitute Amy O’Dovovan capped a hugely impressive comeback with a wonderfully taken free kick that curled into the net.
Having taken the lead, CPB had to dig deep to get over the line and were glad to have a depth of talent to introduce from the bench. Players that had been involved in either the First Year final on Monday or the Cork Trophy final on Tuesday had enough left in the legs to come in and freshen up the team even through three agonising minutes of additional time.
At the final whistle, CPB’s 3-2 win had secured the title. Seren had the honour of accepting the trophy on behalf of the team and in front of the group of supporters who had travelled and were fantastic throughout the game.
Returning from the game, the squad were given a rapturous reception by the whole school community who joined in celebrating a very significant milestone in the development of girls’ sport in our school.
