Senior girls through to Ulster semi
Mr Mc Daid’s senior girls team are through to meet Mulroy College in the Ulster Semi-Final
The victorious senior girls team with Mr Mc Daid
Finn Valley College advance to last four in Ulster
Senior Girls Soccer – Ulster Senior B 1/4 Final
Royal School Cavan 1 V 3 Finn Valley College
The Senior Girls soccer team from Finn Valley College travelled to Monaghan on Thursday, 13th October, to play Royal School Cavan. This Ulster ¼ Final was played at the impressive Astroturf facility at League of Ireland Club Monaghan United. The girls from Donegal put in a terrific performance and returned home after a well earned 3-1 victory.
Finn Valley attacked from the start and put the Royal School Cavan defence under pressure. Shannon Gallagher won a free kick 30 yards from goal for Finn Valley. Up stepped Emma McCroary and she drove the ball to the roof of the net giving the keeper no chance. Indeed McCroary came close twice after this as she saw two fine efforts from outside the box fly just past the post. Her strike partner Shannon Gallagher also went close in opening twenty minutes. Finn Valley was well in control of the game in the opening twenty minutes with Zoe Laverty and Shannon McCrudden playing well in midfield.
Royal School Cavan grew more into the game and started testing goalkeeper Dionne Woods. Finn Valley was starting to retreat further back as Royal School Cavan put on the pressure. Amanda Boyle and Nicole Bryson had to be on their game in the heart of Finn Valley College’s defence. Right back Shona Molloy had to withdraw at half time with a thing injury after an excellent first half and was replaced by Vicky Pearson who did not let the side down.
Royal School Cavan got a deserved equaliser ten minutes into the second half when they too scored directly from a well taken free kick. Finn Valley got their noses in front again when a great through ball from Zoe Laverty released Shannon Gallagher and she finished bravely as the keeper advanced. The move of the match produced a third goal for Finn Valley College when a great reverse pass from the hard working midfielder Chloe McColgan released Emma McCroary and she finished coolly to the back of the net. Finn Valley held out for a great victory. Simone Lafferty replaced the impressive second year Aisling Grieve and the hard working forwards were replaced by Melissa Harper and Rachel Friel. It was a great team performance from the girls of Finn Valley College. Emma McCroary, Amanda Boyle, and Chloe McColgan had great games. Emma Gallen was outstanding at left back.
The journey home was a little easier after this great result that now sees Finn Valley College up against Mulroy College in the Ulster Semi-Final. A tough game lies ahead against a team that has won the Ulster title for the last number of years as well as being All-Ireland champions.
KPICASA_GALLERY(Senior girls in Monaghan)
