Scoil Mhuire Buncrana triumphs in FAI Schools U-20 Girls Ulster Cup Final

In an enthralling FAI Schools Senior Girls Ulster Cup Final, Scoil Mhuire Buncrana took hold of the second half and broke away from their opponents to emerge victorious with a 2-0 win over a well-structured Loreto Secondary School at the Letterkenny Community Centre.
Scoil Mhuire Buncrana 2-0  Loreto Secondary School

The first half saw a deadlock as both teams fought valiantly for supremacy.  

Loreto Secondary School Letterkenny, adopting a defensive stance with five players at the back, displayed a gritty determination to keep Scoil Mhuire Buncrana at bay, but despite a number of wide attacks to their wingers, they couldn’t open the opposition’s defence to create any real danger.  

The Letterkenny school's goalkeeper, Lucy Grant, emerged as a shining star in the first 45 minutes, keeping her side in the game with Sophie Doherty forced to drop back into a sweeping role, leaving first year player Aoise Lenihan up top on her own.  
Grant’s prowess in goals was evident as she executed a series of sublime saves, denying Buncrana's forwards, with both sets of managers, Paddy Carr and Lynette Rodgers acknowledging her star performance following the game. 

Scoil Mhuire Buncrana, boasting two Irish internationals in their lineup, dominated possession in the first half. But despite their relentless attacks and creative midfield play, they were unable to break through the resolute defense led by Loreto Secondary School Letterkenny.  

The Letterkenny side failed to create any real danger, apart from Sophie McLoughlan sending crisp passes into Lenihan, but any threat was denied by the Buncrana defence.  

With very little chances created in the first half, apart from a number of wayward shots outside the box from Buncrana, it was believed that the second 45 minutes would mirror the first. 

However, despite Loreto’s best efforts, Scoil Mhuire Buncrana came out with renewed energy and determination, breaking through the defensive wall and opening up play with superb passes coming through the midfield into their strikers.  

The breakthrough finally came for Scoil Mhuire Buncrana in the 60th minute when Kerrie Loughrey cut a pass between the two Letterkenny center-halves for Bria McGilloway to finish cooly into the bottom corner of the net to make it 1-0 with half an hour to go.   

The goal spurred Buncrana on, and their attacking flair continued to trouble the tiring Letterkenny defense. 
Loreto, now trailing, had to adjust their tactics and push forward in search of an equaliser. But the change in approach left gaps in their defence, which Scoil Mhuire Buncrana exploited to extend their lead.  

A beautifully timed corner from Ciara McGee in the 84th minute allowed Sligo Rovers player Jody Loughrey to fire home to make it 2-0. 

Despite their best efforts, Loreto Secondary School couldn't mount a comeback against the talented Buncrana side who shut up shop defensively in the dying minutes as Scoil Mhuire ran out deserving winners of the FAI Schools Senior Ulster Cup.  

Scoil Mhuire Buncrana: Hollie Ferguson; Alannah Graham, Ciara McGee, Leah Deehan; Jody Loughrey (captain), Hidie Gill, Cliona O'Donnell, Kerrie Loughrey; Bria McGilloway, Aoife Doherty, Sienna Bradley. Subs: Eimear Doherty for Bradley, Chloe Rutherford for O'Donnell.

Loreto Secondary School: Lucy Grant; Eva Harvey, Darcey Kelly (captain), Orla Malseed, Mia Devenney; Sophie Doherty; Sophie McLoughlin, Aileen Sweeney, Chloe Deeney, Niamh Sweeney; Aoise Lenihan.

Referee: Damian McFadden