Mayo secondary school win Under 15 Connacht Cup title

Ballinrobe Community School defeated Presentation College, Headford, by two goals to one in in the Under 15 Girls Connacht Schools Cup final on Monday, writes Patrick Hennelly.

The game was played on the pristine 4G pitch at United Park, Westport, and both sides were full of invention and attacking creativity over the 70 minutes (35 minutes per half).

Presentation College dominated the opening exchanges and Ballinrobe struggled to get out of their own half.

The Galway outfit crafted some early opportunities, and their endeavour paid dividends on 11 minutes when Abby Devine cut inside the opposition penalty box and applied a clinical finish beyond the reach of Mia Killeen in the Ballinrobe goal.

Ballinrobe Community School gradually settled into the game, and they had a decent opportunity to level matters on 15 minutes after Sophia Place was fouled just outside the 18-yard box. Robyn Butler opted to take the free kick and her superlative effort found the top corner of the net, much to the delight of her team-mates.

Headford tried their very best to regain the lead before the break but could find no way past a resolute Ballinrobe defence, with Eabha Hughes producing a tidy display at right-back for the south Mayo girls.

The Robesiders had the wind in their favour during the second half, and Molly Sheridan tried her luck from a free-kick on 46 minutes but Catherine Halleran made a smart save in the Headford goal.

Presentation College very nearly fashioned the lead once again on 51 minutes but Killeen produced two outstanding reflex saves to deny successive attempts on goal from Zara Newell and Emma Burke.

Five minutes later Ballinrobe took a crucial lead. The move was instigated by Hughes, with Ellen Masterson’s cross-field ball fortuitously breaking for Place and the latter’s coolly taken finish rustled the back of the net.

Newell had a chance to level matters for Headford but her snap-shot was superbly saved by Killeen.

In the end, Ballinrobe Community School held on to record a famous victory and claim a coveted Connacht title.