Wilson"s Girls in the Soccer Leinster Cup Final
Back in September 2008 the Wilson"s Hospital School"s senior girls soccer team had high ambitions to do well in the coming year.The team was delighted to be in the Under18s Leinster Cup final on Monday, January 26 and for a small country school it is a great achievement.In the decider they were up against a very strong, Grennan College, Kilkenny. The Wilson"s spirit is especially alive in this team which trains no matter what the weather. When the girls are pushed to the limit, they step up with heart.The Wilson"s girls dominated the first half, with a break from midfield to Anna Evans (Killucan) who found the net. This put the team in the lead in the fifteenth minute. Wilson"s defended well showing no let up. An unfortunate free kick in the last six minutes of the game saw a Grennan player appearing from nowhere and deflecting the ball into the Wilson"s net.In extra time, the Wilson"s team held strong but just could not find the back of the net. In the last two minutes of extra time the Grennan side scored a goal. Wilson"s again fought hard - Wilson"s centre back, Jennifer Draper from (Killbeggan) even had a shot at goal from the box but it was not enough and the match was over. The final score was 2-1.This was a disappointing result for the Wilson"s team. The Wilson"s team would like to thank our team manager Selina Butler (Streete). Being six days over age, she could not play in the cup this year! The best of luck to Grennan College Killkenny, in the All-Ireland semi-finals.The first cup match in this competition was at home to Portmarnock CS in November. Wilson"s secured a win with the back line keeping the goals out, and with two goals scored from free kicks on the 30 yard line by Jill Draper (Killbeggan) and Caroline Synott (Castlepollard). The muddy conditions made it difficult for some to stay above the level of mud and water but the end result was a 3-0 victory to the home-side and a well-deserved place in the semi-final.On January 16 in Tullamore the team played Dublin side Larkin CC. It was a tough match but the Wilson"s side shone with one of the team"s newest editions, Charlotte Farrell (Newry), scoring a hat trick plus one. The back line came together with Shauna Butterly (Mullingar) stopping everything she could in goals, but an unfortunate handball in the box lead to Wilson"s conceding a penalty during the second half. A very proud captain, Anna Evans (Killucan), saw the rise in confidence in Kim Butler (Streete) as she scored twice balls from the right wing securing a 7-2 win and our place in the final!With their focus in sight the team showed great dedication and, despite the freezing weather conditions, rain and snow, went straight back into training. Coach Mr. Peter Keaney (Multyfarnham), with his firm objectives and his head working overtime for a plans of action, deserves a huge thank you for all his encouragement and dedication. Without him the team would not have got this far.