Third place finish for Connacht in Under 15 girls' interpro tournament

Connacht finished third in the FAI Schools Under 15 girls’ interprovincial tournament that concluded today (Wednesday) in Athlone Town Stadium.

While they played out a commendable draw against Leinster in the final game, Connacht needed a win to have any hope of wrestling the title away from the easterners.

It's a fourth success in a row for Leinster, who secured the title with two wins and a draw to claim top spot and continue their rich vein of form at this level of competition.

The opening match on Monday afternoon saw Leinster finish narrow 1-0 winners over Munster, and they followed this up with a 2-0 victory over Ulster on Tuesday.

Earlier today, they had to work extremely hard to contain the Connacht threat and snatch the point they required.

Some good news emerged for Connacht and for Mayo after the match, however, as Lexi Murphy of Balla Secondary School was named player of the match following her tireless work rate throughout the last game of the series.

It was a cagey affair, with neither side creating any clear-cut chances in an interesting first half.

Leinster’s Amelia Smiakel and Zara Foley attempted to get the better of Laura McHugh in the Connacht goal but the Coláiste Bhaile Chláír netminder was in fine form to deny the duo in quick succession midway through the second half.

Connacht’s Ruby Meaney (Coláiste na Coiribe) had a great opportunity to convert 20 minutes from time but her strike went just wide of the target.

Both sides had a chance to win it late on, but brave goalkeeping meant the game finished scoreless.

Leinster only needed the draw to secure the silverware, and did enough to get the result they needed against Connacht.

The westerners started their campaign on Monday with a 3-0 victory over Ulster, Meaney scoring twice and Ava Hogan (Coláiste Chiaráín, Athlone) netting one.

Hogan was on target again in Connacht's second game on Tuesday, equalising after Munster had gone ahead through Rosedeirdre Pioa, leaving it 1-1 at half-time.

Twelve minutes into the second half, Munster got themselves back in front courtesy of a fine effort by Rose O'Shaughnessy (St. Aloysius College, Carrigtwohill) to make it 2-1, which is how it finished.

Munster went on to defeat Ulster 3-1 in their final game, ensuring them of the runners-up spot on four points behind Leinster on five and ahead of Connacht on three. Ulster finished bottom of the table with no points following three defeats.

Over the course of three days, the 68 players across the four squads created some magical moments to keep the supporters on the edge of their seats for the series.

And it wasn’t just provincial honours on the line, as the tournament is a trialling process for the international schools team who participate in the Bob Docherty Cup annually.

Richie Berkeley (retired, Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo) spent 12 years with the international management set-up during his tenure. His head coach role within the Ireland camp has now been taken up by Paddy McDaid of Finn Valley College, Stranorlar, Co. Donegal.

As well as Lexi Murphy, the Connacht squad featured Mia Killeen of Ballinrobe Community School. In addtion, Stephen Lacken of St. Patrick's College, Lacken Cross, and Seamus MacEachmharcaigh of Sacred Heart School, Westport, were on the management set-up alongside head coach Dom Coll (retired) and Lucy Smith, both of Presentation College, Athenry.

The Connacht squad in full for the tournament was as follows: Laura McHugh, Charlottle McHugh, Elisa Day (Coláiste Bhaile Chláir), Grace Halvey (Glenamaddy Community School), Ruby Meaney, Hannah McHugh (Coláiste na Coiribe, Knocknacarra), Ava McLaughlin (Salerno Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Salthill), Lexi Murphy (Balla Secondary School), Mia Lawless, Róisín Sammon, Roisin Hannon (Presentation College, Athenry), Ava Hogan (Coláiste Chiaráín, Athlone), Erin McCartan (Coláiste Iognáid, Galway), Kate Howard (Coláiste Muire, Ballymote), Ornaith Guckian (Carrick on Shannon Community School), Annalise Higgins (Sligo Grammar School), Mia Killeen (Ballinrobe Community School).