Our Senior Girls played host to Christ King Girls Secondary School in the FAI Schools Denise O’Sullivan Cup last Friday.
With the playing surface of the school pitch immaculate and the temperature hitting a balmy twenty degrees approaching kick-off, conditions were perfect for the game.
Knowing they needed to play with physicality and directness to unsettle an opponent with an impressive record of Munster Senior Cup wins, the Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí players battled well from the very first whistle.
Attacking Midfielder Julia Cunat Carbo’s eye-catching passing and dribbling skills in combination with Molly Harrington and Holly Arundel’s attacking runs from wide areas gave the home supporters encouragement in the opening fifteen minutes.
However, Christ King’s experience soon became very apparent, proving more than capable matching the intensity of the home team while also showing some exceptional technique in key moments of play.
By the end of the opening half, hopes of a surprise result had been well and truly dismissed as the away team had built a commanding 0-4 lead.
To their great credit, the work rate of the Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí players never wavered. They were certainly good value for their goal which came from a wickedly struck free kick by Lauren O’Sullivan Connell soon after the restart.
In a much more even second period, a driving run into the penalty area followed by a neat finish from Holly Arundel raised the mood of the home supporters even further but the score was chalked off for a foul in the build-up to the ball being put into the net.
Christ King’s players again showed quality in decisive moments and stretched the lead with two more goals. Their all-round performance showing how Christ King has produced a host of youth and senior international footballers including World Cup bound Republic of Ireland midfielder Megan Connolly.
At the final whistle, both sets of players exchanged handshakes and well wishes. Christ King advance towards the final in Turner’s Cross while the Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí players will take plenty of positives from their first season playing at this level of competition and in the Senior age category.
Thanks to our match referee, Seán Doyle, to our Team Sponsor ROWA Pharmaceuticals, to our opponents Christ King Girls Secondary and especially to all the school community who provided brilliant support throughout the match.
