Connacht just miss out on Girls' Interprovincial Crown

LEINSTER retained the Under 15 Girls’ Interprovincial title when they overcame a hardworking Connacht side 2-1 yesterday afternoon in Athlone Town AFC (October 31).

Leinster only needed a draw going into the last game of the series following wins over Munster (2-1) on Tuesday and Ulster (5-0) on Wednesday. While Connacht were victors over Ulster (4-1) and Munster (2-0).

Leinster were level on four points apiece with Connacht but were enjoying a +1 goal difference to edge the decider.

Dom Coll’s charges were looking to cause an upset but it wasn’t to be as Leinster prevailed, 2-1 in the end in a thrilling affair.

It’s a first Interprovincial win for the new management team of Keith COFFEY (Confey CC, Leixlip), Ciarán O’BRIEN (St. Joseph’s SS, Drogheda), Lauren McGINN (Donabate CC), Mia O’CONNELL and Kate FOLEY (both IT Carlow Students).

A second consecutive win for the province as the experienced Rob ELLISON (St. Raphaela's SS, Stillorgan) & Scott GAYNOR (Presentation SS, Wexford) led the squad to victory last year. Their seven year tenure came to an end with an impressive three titles during that period.

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ACTION SUMMARY

MATCH DAY 3 (Thursday)

Munster 1-0 Ulster                                    Leinster 2-1 Connacht   

Anna Cronin (55)                                     Matylda Stelmaszek (1), Hailey Twomey  (39) Mona Lowe (11)                                                       

GAME 6

The Leinster team made the perfect start when Matylda STELMASZEK (St. Kilian’s DSD, Clonskeagh) slotted home the opener within 60 seconds.

Olivia Kenny (Our Lady’s School, Terenure) was superb between the posts as she made 3 fine saves to deny Ana Conway, Abbie Duffy and Ava Hallinan in quick succession.

However, Connacht did eventually equalise ten minutes later when Mona LOWE of Lough Allen College converted brilliantly.

Stelmaszek was very lively down the left wing and she had two great opportunities to extend the Leinster lead just before the break but both efforts were just wide of the mark as the teams couldn’t be separated at the interval (1-1).

The winner came nine minutes into the restart when the impressive Hailey TWOMEY of Eureka SS, Kells popped up with a sublime effort.

Ivana McMahon (Ursuline College, Sligo) was under pressure from Ciara Milton (St. Leo’s College, Carlow) and Matylda Stelmaszek midway through the second half but the Connacht keeper did well to deny the deadly duo.

Unfortunately for Connacht they couldn’t penetrate the Leinster defence as the winners grew in confidence as the game progressed.

A fantastic outing between both teams to conclude the tournament and ensure Leinster back to back titles.

Hailey TWOMEY, Eureka SS, Kells was named PLAYER OF THE MATCH by Ambassador Leah McGRATH (St. Anne’s SS, Tipperary) following her immense work-rate for the team and even chipping in with the match winner!

INTERNATIONAL SELECTION

As well as provincial honours this week, the International management staff use this tournament as the key recruiting tool for their Republic of Ireland Schools select.

Following the tournament conclusion, an extended panel will be invited back for trial in a few weeks’ time.

Richard Berkeley, a teacher in Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh had a fabulous management debut in 2018 when he took over as Head Coach from Lorraine Counihan (Coláiste Mhuire, Buttevant). The  initial victory was followed up with another remarkable record in 2019 retaining the Bob Docherty Cup and John Read Trophy in Salou.

Unfortunately, the COVID pandemic meant the competition ceased in 2020 and 2021 but returned in 2022 when the Republic of Ireland completed an impressive three in a row in Newcastle.

However, the silverware has eluded Ireland in the last two seasons with Scotland victorious in 2023 in Glasgow and England winning out in 2024 in Athlone.

Northern Ireland will host the event during the Easter Break in April 2025 so the Republic of Ireland won’t have far to travel as they attempt to get back to winning ways.

INTERPRO POINTS TALLY

Leinster 6 points, Connacht 4 pts, Munster 2 pts, Ulster 0 pts

MATCH DAY 2 (Wednesday)

Leinster 5-0 Ulster                                                Connacht 2-0 Munster

Ciara Milton (1, 60),  Jane Smyth (19, 46) Hailey Twomey (56)                               Ava Hallinan (36), Ana Conway (45)

GAME 4

Tuesday afternoon’s late performances left for a lack lustre opening thirty minutes of football but the game came to life in the second period with some wonderful goals to prompt the revival.

Enniscrone starlet Ava HALLINAN broke the stalemate six minutes into the restart with a fantastic finish.

While Ana CONWAY (Salerno SS, Salthill) doubled their advantage midway through. A Katie McCabe special as the young Galway girl scored direct from a corner.

Two stunning goals to take the valuable win against a disappointed Munster side who thought they could take something from this fixture.

Tournament Ambassador Ella KELLY (Tallaght Community School) was impressed with the exploits of Ava HALLINAN (Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone) as she was selected as PLAYER OF THE MATCH.

MATCH DAY 1 (Tuesday)

Connacht 4-1 Ulster                                 Munster 1-2 Leinster

Conway (16),  Coleman (28, 49),  Reynolds (38) Gill (60+3)                   Ellen Goggin (45)        Matylda Stelmaszek (55), Halle Harcourt (60+4)

GAME 1

The opening game of the series saw a five goal thriller played out.

Sacred Heart School, Westport goalkeeper Aoibhinn McGreal was called into action early on to deny a great effort from Shauna Doohan (PCC, Falcarragh) five minutes in.

Two minutes later, Connacht were awarded a penalty but surprisingly Abbie Duffy floated the ball over the woodwork. An Ulster reprieve.

Connacht finally got the better of the inform Ulster keeper Caoimhe McLaughlin (Loreto SS, Letterkenny) midway through the first half when Anna CONWAY (Salerno SS, Salthill) netted.

Salerno’s Tilly Carroll was unlucky not to see her strike double their tally as the ball was drilled past the far post with eight minutes of the half remaining.

Connacht did extend their tally to two when Emily COLEMAN (St. Joseph’s SS, Foxford) headed home a lovely, weighted pass in the box from Presentation College, Athenry stalwart Abbie Duffy two minutes from the interval.

Westport scholar Saoirse REYNOLDS put three between the sides when she scored eight minutes after the restart. McLaughlin had saved initially but just couldn’t get her hands to the second attempt.

Emily COLEMAN grabbed her second of the afternoon and Connacht’s fourth eleven minutes later.

Some consolation for all Ulster’s endeavours as Moville maestro Adah GILL slotted in three minutes into added time as it finished 4-1 to Connacht.

Madison McGUANE, Ambassador was on hand to award the Player of the Match accolade to Emily COLEMAN, St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford. Her brace helping to secure an outstanding victory.

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INTERPROVINCIAL PANELS

CONNACHT | Ivana McMahon (Ursuline College, Sligo), Sive Flanagan (Mount St. Michael Secondary School, Claremorris),  Abbie Duffy (Presentation College, Athenry), Chloe Glynn (Coláiste Chiaráin, Athlone), Mona Lowe (Lough Allen College, Leitrim), Aisling Kennedy (Glenamaddy Community School), Ana Conway (Salerno Jesus and Mary Secondary School, Salthill),  Maireád Mullins (St. Cuan’s College, Castleblakeney), Ava Hallinan (Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone), Emily Coleman (St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford), Tilly Carroll (Salerno Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Salthill), Caoimhe O’Donnell (St. Patrick’s College, Lacken Cross, Killala), Saoirse Reynolds, Aoibhinn McGreal (Sacred Heart School, Westport), Kyilah Maloney (Coláiste Bhaile Chláir), Katie Quirke (Calasanctius College, Oranmore), Kate McNamara (Seamount College, Kinvara)

MANAGEMENT | Dom Coll (Retired, Presentation College, Athenry) Stephen Lacken (St. Patrick’s College, Lacken Cross), Seamus MacEachmharcaigh (Sacred Heart School, Westport)

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FAI Schools Under 15 Girls’ Interprovincial Tournament

RESULTS

Tuesday, October 29

3.00pm Connacht 4-1 Ulster         POTM | Emily COLEMAN, St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford

5.00pm Leinster 2-1 Munster        POTM | Ellen GOGGIN, Crescent College Comprehensive, Limerick

Wednesday, October 30

1.00pm Munster 0-2 Connacht     POTM |  Ava HALLINAN, Jesus & Mary SS, Enniscrone

3.00pm Ulster 0-5 Leinster           POTM | Ciara MILTON, St. Leo’s College, Carlow

Thursday, October 31

10.30am Munster 1-0 Ulster          POTM | Anna CRONIN, Coláiste Choilm, Cork

12.30pm Leinster 2-1 Connacht    POTM | Hailey TWOMEY, Eureka SS, Kells

GIRLS INTERPROVINCIAL ROLL OF HONOUR

*Under 18 level 1994 to 2002 then switched to Under 15 level from 2003 onwards

The Connacht under-15 interprovincial team 2024