Lacken Cross girls searching for another national title

No strangers to national success over the years, St. Patrick's College, Lacken Cross, are on the hunt for more glory today (Tuesday) as they face Midleton College, Cork, in the FAI Schools Senior B final.

The game will be played at the Athlone Town Stadium in Lissywollen, Athlone, kicking off at 1 p.m.

Lacken Cross, under the tutelage of Stephen Lacken, faced Mayo opposition all the way through the provincial campaign, beating St. Joseph's of Foxford in the quarterfinal, St. Brendan's of Belmullet in the semi-final, and Balla Secondary School in the decider, which finished in a 2-0 victory for the north Mayo girls.

The All-Ireland semi-final was played in February and Lacken Cross beat Mulroy College, Milford, in Sligo, again by two goals to nil.

One goal in each half from Deirbhle McHale and Keeva McDonnell proved enough to see them through to the final, but it was a fantastic all round performance that saw the team prevail after both sets of players had given a great account of themselves.

McHale and McDonnell have been among the goals in the run to the final but St. Patrick's have a strong squad and are capable of finding goals through a number of avenues.

Their opponents in today's final, Midleton College, had to endure an appeal in Munster, which delayed things in a competition that should have been concluded by the middle of February.

When they did finally emerge from their province, the Cork girls needed extra-time to see off Clara of Offaly in the All-Ireland semi-final. They can provide Lacken Cross with a stern examination in Athlone today but the St. Patrick's girls should have the wherewithal to take home the title.