Moate CS players celebrate their victory in the LGFA Leinster Schools Junior ‘A’ final on Monday last. Photo: John McCauley.

Mulvihill’s last-gasp point wins Leinster crown for Moate CS

LGFA: LIDL Leinster Post Primary Schools Junior ‘A’ Final

Moate CS 2-10 Loreto SS, Navan 2-9

Gerry Buckley reports

A great point from Kacey Mulvihill in the fourth minute of added time won the day for the junior footballers from Moate Community School after a titanic battle with old rivals Loreto Secondary School, Navan.

This Leinster Schools Junior ‘A’ final was a rip-roaring contest, played in a great spirit from first whistle to last, and it ebbed and flowed dramatically in the closing stages at a well-attended Kinnegad last Monday afternoon.

The Moate girls looked to be in real bother when their opponents – inspired by speedster par excellence Orlaith Reilly – took the lead for the first time in the 59th minute.

But the girls under the tutelage of Carol Price (Moate) and Mairéad Fox (Cill Óige) displayed real character by scoring a late, late brace to win the prized silverware.

First, Moate CS captain Kate Whyte (the Ballymore girl plays her club football for Milltown) slotted over a free in the second minute of added time. And then, with most in attendance expecting extra-time, the Moate girls showed composure beyond their tender years by coolly working a chance for Garrycastle's Kacey Mulvihill who duly dissected the posts for a marvellous winning score with just seconds remaining.

Both of Moate's goals came from penalties, the first converted with aplomb by Lauren White (20th minute), after a push on Chanelle O’Neill. This helped Moate to lead 1-4 to 0-3 at the break.

The second penalty was scored by Eva Fox, who rifled the ball to the roof of the net after she was adjudged to have been fouled. Reilly scored both of Loreteo's goals, the first a wonderful solo effort, and she was unlucky to finish on the losing side.

After the match, the president of the Leinster LGFA, Trina Murray, herself a native of Moate, presented the player of the match gong to a very worthy recipient in MCS skipper Kate Whyte, and then the cup to the same player.

Scorers – Moate CS: K Whyte 0-7 (4f), E Fox 1-1 (1-0pen), L White 1-0 (pen), K Mulvihill 0-2. Loreto SS: O Reilly 2-2, I Thorp 0-6 (4f), N McDermott 0-1.

Moate Community School: Niamh Seery; Cliodhna Aspell, Eunice David, Sarah Cunniffe; Áine Bracken, Grace Shortall, Lucy Champ; Kellie McLoughlin, Kate Whyte; Katie Doolan, Kacey Mulvihill, Lauren White; Alex Kelly, Eva Fox, Chanelle O’Neill. Subs used: Niamh Kelly for White (inj., h-t), Neasa Trainor for Champ (44 mins), Orla Ross for O’Neill (52).

Loreto Secondary School, Navan: Alex Connor; Niamh Byrne, Lauren Rennicks, Julia Collins; Shauna Fox, Anna Gardiner, Niamh McGuinness; Ally Finnegan, Kate Gibbons; Isabel Thorp, Orlaith Reilly, Chloe Caffrey; Zoe Coyne, Nessa McDermott, Caoimhe Giles. Sub used: Megan Connelly for Gibbons (50 mins).

Referee: Ciaran Groome (Offaly).

*See this week's Westmeath Independent for a full report and more photos.