St Mary’s College Naas vs Temple Carraig
Venue: St. Marys College
Date and Time: Thursday 9th November @12:30pm
Report by: Cassie Mallon and Aoife Sweeney TY
On a cold but dry day the Senior soccer team took on Temple Carraig from Greystones hoping to progress to the Quarter Finals of the Senior A cup.
The game started evenly with both sides playing a cautious style but it was St. Marys who tested the keeper first, captain Alannah Prizeman went on a mazy run beating no fewer than 4 players before having her shot saved by the keeper. On 11 minutes a Leah McGoven cross was controlled by Sophie Lawlor who rounded her player on the edge of the box but saw her fierce shot tipped over the bar. Temple Carraig started to creep into the game and on 17mins a speculative shot from distance crept in by the post giving the away team an unexpected lead. St. Mary’s continued to press and on 19mins another run from Alannah saw her taken down for a penalty which she dispatched with ease to the bottom corner, game on. However the opposition took the lead again when an effort from the edge of the box was cruelly deflected past keeper Kate Walsh. Indeed it could have been 3 shortlly after but for some excellent defending from Grace Sheil and some fantastic shot stopping from Kate in goal. The half finished with St. Mary’s bombarding the Temple Carraig goal. The best chance falling to Sophie Lawlor who rattled the crossbar.
St. Mary’s came out strong in the second half knowing they had more chances than needed to be winning this game but it wasn’t long before things went wrong and Temple Carraig stung the home side with 2 breakaway goals with the St. Mary’s midfield failing to get back in time. Temple Carraig added a 5th and St. Mary’s looked dead and buried. A few substitutions and tactical changes turned the game on its head. Sarah Howell was controlling midfield allowing Alannah, the McGoverns and Sophie to attack at will. Katie Power was instrumental with her constant attacks down the left. Sophie got one back with a good left footed finish after being played in by Alannah, and with 15mins left Katie set up Leah who finished to the roof of the net from the edge of the box. Sarah McGovern hit a 30 yard strike to the net to make it 5-4 with 7 minutes remaining. St. Mary’s threw everything at the opposition but couldn’t find the equaliser.
Best for St. Mary’s on the day were keeper Kate Walsh, Sarah Howell in Midfield, Katie Power, Ciara Ryan and player of the match Alannah Prizeman.
This team, having won the Junior A cup 2 years ago will be disappointed at their exit but didn’t perform to their very high standard on the day. However, they have already qualified for the last 16 of the league without conceding a goal so the season isnt over yet.