EAST Belfast side Our Lady & St Patrick’s College continued their domination of school girls football in Northern Ireland with an impressive league championship win at under 13 and under 15.
In the league playoffs on Thursday 17 April, Our Lady & St Pat’s came head to head with Malone College in both age groups, Year 8/9 (under 13) and Year 10/11 (under 15). Both score lines finished 9 – 0 in favour of the impressive Our Lady & St Pat’s. Despite being outplayed, Malone College worked hard to find a way through the Knock defence but were continually thwarted in the last quarter of the field.
The Under 13 team was led superbly by their captain and Northern Ireland Junior International Ciara McGuire, with goals coming from Jessica Foy (4), Jess Carty (2), Genny Kerr (2) and Julie Curran. Jessica Foy was particularly impressive for Our Lady & St Pat’s.
In the Under 15 Final goals came from Laura Hughes (4), Emily Duffy (2), Anna Finnegan, Aisling McGeough and Sarah Tumelty. While Laura Hughes caught the eye with her clinical finishing, it was the drive and vision of Anna Finnegan that helped to create the victory.
Under 13 Squad:
Shauna Kelly, Catherine Rocks, Ciara McGuire, Jess Carty, Jessica Foy, Genny Kerr, Julie Curran, Bronagh King, Shannon Tumelty, Catherine Logan
Under 15 Squad:
Sophie Tazzioli, Erin Hennity, Aisling McGeough, Anna Finnegan, Laura Hughes, Catherine Macaulay, Emily Duffy, Stephanie Colaluca, Sarah Tumelty.
Dominic Kealey, Our Lady & St Pat’s teacher praise his girls for an outstanding performance, “These girls have been tremendous during the league and today’s performances were exceptional. The attitude and commitment shown by these girls in second to none and I am very proud to be part of such a hard working unit”.
“The growth of the game within the school and a measure of their success was demonstrated when the school presented the girls with hooded jumpers as a gift for winning the last year’s Carnegie Schools Cup. Principal John Allen always attends the girls’ games and it encouraging to witness a grammar school putting such efforts into the sport. They really have two tremendous squads and they continue to prove year by year. Dominic Kealey has done an amazing job and should be congratulated for his enthusiasm and hard work”, says Sara Booth, Women’s Football Coordinator.
Both teams are now looking forward to the Northern Ireland Carnegie Schools Cup which commences in May. Our Lady & St Patrick’s College are currently the Year 10/11 Champions.
The final league standing are as follows:
Year 8/9
1. Our lady & St Pat’s
2. Malone College
3. Dominican College
4. St Colm’s High
5. Dunmurry High
6. Dundonald High
7. Lisnagarvey High
8. Our Lady of Mercy
Year 10/11
1. Our lady & St Pat’s
2. Malone College
3. Dominican College
4. St Colm’s High
5. Knockbreda High
6. Dunmurry High
7. Dundonald High
8. Our Lady of Mercy
