Tullow CS minor girls make Leinster quarters with runners up spot

After 14 years with no girls’ soccer in the school it came back with a bang as the minor girls finished their league campaign in second place in a very difficult group. These girls only came together last October and struggled to get enough players to fill a team, but they have grown in skill and stature the past four months with a super team bond helping them to four wins and a draw in their six games. The group came down to the Tullow and Roscrea game and the more experienced Roscrea side boasting 10 players from the Killavilla club had beaten everyone well on the way but got a big fright when they came to Tullow and just edged a cracking game. Tullow now advance with all the other 7 group runners up to play in the Leinster division 2 quarter final, and nobody will want to be drawn against them.

Tullow CS 5

Hackettstown 1

The Tullow girls made it four wins in region 3 of the FAIS girls u15 Leinster league. This was a brilliant team performance with all the girls playing brilliant with goal scoring machine Leah Mannion adding three goals to her already amazing tally. Her midfield partner Emily Lawlor also scored to add to her season tally as these two have built a great midfield partnership and have defences running scared with 34 goals between the two of them in six games. Grace Walker moved to centre midfield a few games ago ran the show today with her quick and accurate passing creating all the chances for her midfield partners and strikers, she played in a deep roll and was the first line of defence in breaking up the opposition attacks. In defence captain Molly Maher was as always on top form and she marshalled the back line and kept the visitors at bay. Starting her first ever game for the school Amie Cush Byrne scored a great goal to round off the scoring. In attack Mia Nolan and Ava Bolger worked extremely hard with Avan winning the ball on more occasions than anyone as she continued her brilliant tacking from the front winning the ball high up the pitch.

Team, Molly Maher Nolan, Lexi Carroll, Chelsea Murphy, Leah Mannion, Emily Lawlor, Orlaith Donoghue, Ava Bolger, Mia Nolan, Emily McCarthy, Eva Haskins, Sinead Kirwan, Brooke Donoghue, Amie Cushe Byrne, Emma Klejonwska, Peggy Byrne, Ali McDonagh, Hannah Hutton.

Tullow CS 3

Roscrea 4

This game was a league decider with Roscrea beating everyone they had met along the way be 8 goals or more while the Tullow girls unbeaten knew a win would seal the group. It was a game worthy of any final with the two teams playing amazing football and Roscrea experience just saw them over the line but not until Tullow had given them a big scare. Tullow took the lead early on when Leah Mannion scored from the edge of the box. Roscrea equalised through their number 7 who was immense all game and would score all four goals in a simply amazing performance from a young girl who will make it to the very top. Tullow dug deep and were fighting for their lives as they tried to stop the Roscrea 7 from running with the ball and they regained the lead when a great run and cross from Emily Lawlor saw a Roscrea defender put the ball into their own net. Tullow held on to the lead till half time but Roscrea came out in the second half and scored two quick goals as they showed why they had won every game with the number 7 getting her hat trick with her immense pace meaning she was impossible to catch. Tullow to their credit didn’t give up and got a deserved equaliser when Emily Lawlor continued her excellent scoring record with a great finish from a Leah Mannion corner. Roscrea were determined to get the win and with ten minutes left on the clock they regained the lead when the number 7 proved unstoppable again. Tullow didn’t give up and almost snatched an equaliser in the final minute when Ava Bolger saw her brilliant run and shot somehow saved by a very good Roscrea keeper. Tullow may have lost their first game of the campaign, but it was fractions away from a draw with a top side. The Tullow girls can be super proud of themselves as nobody gave them any chance going into the game.

Team, Hannah Hutton, Molly Maher Nolan, Lexi Carroll, Chelsea Murphy, Leah Mannion, Emily Lawlor, Orlaith Donoghue, Ava Bolger, Mia Nolan, Emily McCarthy, Eva Haskins, Sinead Kirwan, Brooke Donoghue, Amie Cushe Byrne, Emma Klejonwska, Peggy Byrne, Ali McDonagh,

Final group table with four points for a win and two points for a draw and one point for defeat.