St Mary's Newport Girls claim historic first Munster Soccer title
SOCCER: FAI Schools Munster Senior ‘A’ Girls Final
St Mary’s SS, Newport 2
Presentation SS Thurles 0
Report: Enda Treacy in Tipperary Town
Photos: John D Kelly
St Mary’s Secondary School Newport made history by claiming their first ever Munster Schools Girls Soccer title by beating defending champions Presentation Thurles, producing an excellent second half display to secure a famous victory last Thursday.
Second half strikes from captain Grace O’Toole and Emma Coleman proved decisive as both teams struggled to get to grips with very poor visibility at the Canon Hayes Centre, as a thick fog enveloped the pitch for most of the game.
The teams were very evenly matched throughout but the second half introduction of Chelsea King up front, along with and improved team effort saw Newport over the line against an excellent Thurles side who had their chances but couldn’t take full advantage.
So poor were the conditions, that neither goalkeeper could see the other and this made it difficult for the teams to play their game with both sides looking for weaknesses in nervy early passages.
The first attempt on goal came in the ninth minute from Thurles’ Emma O’Sullivan who found a nice pocket of space in front of the Newport box but her effort was skewed high and wide of the right-hand post.
Conditions were playing a big part in the game as neither team could get flowing passing soccer going in the first quarter but it was Thurles who were creating the most chances with Aoibhean Clancy next to try her luck from outside the box, but again, she got under the effort and sent it over the bar in the 23rd minute.
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