Sport

Roisin strikes twice in cup triumph

March 22nd, 2015 4:01 PM

By Southern Star Team

Champions! The Drinagh Rangers squad that annexed the SuperValu West Cork Schoolgirls' Cup trophy on St Patrick's Day.

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Drinagh Rangers won the 2015 SuperValu West Cork Schoolgirls' Cup following a 3-1 defeat of a gallant Lyre Rovers in Mohona on St Patrick's Day.

Drinagh Rangers 3

Lyre Rovers 1

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

DRINAGH Rangers won the 2015 SuperValu West Cork Schoolgirls’ Cup following a 3-1 defeat of a gallant Lyre Rovers in Mohona on St Patrick’s Day.

Roisin O’Driscoll forced Cassandra O’Sullivan off her line in the opening minute as Drinagh settled quickly and pressed forward during an exciting start. Lyre suffered a blow after three minutes when a head injury meant defender Hannah O’Hea had to withdraw from the action.

Rovers overcame that disappointment with Moira Barrett, Fern McCarthy and Sinead Meirs getting to grips with their opponents and resulting in a Maria Nagle effort that required a Grace O’Sullivan save to keep the score at 0-0.

Cassandra O’Sullivan was the busier of the two goalkeepers, repeatedly called upon to race from her line and deny Drinagh’s attacking trio of Katie Cronin, Roisin O’Driscoll and Niamh McCarthy.

Drinagh’s persistence eventually paid off and delivered an opening goal after 21 minutes when Roisin O’Driscoll made space in the penalty area and drilled home a superb strike.

The leaders didn’t sit back on their one-goal advantage and were a awarded a penalty seven minutes after breaking the deadlock when Roisin O’Driscoll was brought down.

Cassandra O’Sullivan produced a magnificent double-save to keep her side in contention however, and only Rachel O’Donovan and Sarah Crowley’s committed defending prevented Moira Barrett from levelling shortly before the interval.

Lyre dominated much of the second half and forced Rangers to defend their penalty area for long stretches in search of an equaliser.

Rangers retook control heading into the closing quarter and underlined their attacking prowess with two goals in quick succession. Roisin O’Driscoll netted a superb individual effort to make it 2-0 minutes before Niamh McCarthy’s chipped shot nestled in the back of the net.

Admirably, Lyre Rovers refused to accept defeat and pulled a goal back when Fern McCarthy reacted quickest to a rebound to reduce the deficit.

SuperValu Player of the Match: Cassandra O’Sullivan (Lyre).

Drinagh Rangers: Grace O’Sulli-van (captain), Sarah Crowley, Rachel Whelton, Cathy Cahalane, Niamh McCarthy, Imogen Deasy, Eileen O’Donovan, Rachel O’Donovan, Katie Cronin, Roisin O’Driscoll, Jennifer Collins, Mollie McQueen, Megan Collins, Siobhan Calnan, Eimear O’Sullivan, Caitlin Hurley, Hannah Ross, Amy Hurley, Emma Crowley.

Lyre Rovers: Cassandra O’Sullivan, Hannah O’Hea, Chelsea O’Driscoll, Gene Crowley, Deirdre Nyhan, Moira Barrett (captain), Maria Nagle, Clara Crowley, Meadhbh Coomey, Fern McCarthy, Sinead Meirs, Marie Phayer, Ellen O’Hea, Aoife Crowley, Catherine Lordan, Grace McCarthy, Grace Harper.

Referee: Tim McDermot.

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