Colaiste Pobail Fola complete historic double
HAVING already secured the FAI Schools Dublin Region Girls Under 15 Division Two League Title with a fantastic 3-1 victory last month, the Colaiste Pobail Fola girls had their sights set on securing a Leinster Title and completing a historic double.
Upon winning the Dublin title, the Citywest/Saggart school progressed to the Leinster semi-final, where they beat Loreto Wexford 2-0, securing themselves a place in the final against Sacred Heart Tullamore in Newbridge Town on Thursday.
The game kicked off, and it was CP Fola who started the stronger of the two teams, winning the early battles all over the pitch and building up from the back.
This strong start was rewarded in the 9th minute of the game when CP Fola’s striker, Mia Saunders, found herself through on goal and attempted to round the keeper, only for the ball to rebound out to Sophie Fetherston, who found the back of the net and made it 1-0.
The centre-back partnership of Emma Martin and Emma Joyce for CP Fola had an answer for every Tullamore attack early on.
In the 14th minute, CP Fola found themselves again through on goal thanks to a fantastic switch of play from left winger Jamie Reilly to right winger Robyn Brady, but the Tullamore goalkeeper stood tall and pulled off a fantastic save.
In the 17th minute, CP Fola doubled the lead after Sophie Fetherston found Mia Saunders, whose first touch allowed the ball to sit up and strike a half-volley into the bottom left corner, making it 2-0.
Tullamore’s first real chance of the game came five minutes before the break when their striker found themselves with a great opportunity, only to be denied not once but twice in quick succession by Rada Sazenova in the CP Fola goal, who pulled off a remarkable double save.
Two minutes before the break, Colaiste Pobail Fola made it 3-0.
A quick counterattack found Mia Saunders running down the right wing, and she whipped in an excellent cross that fell to the feet of Robyn Brady, whose first attempt was saved by the goalkeeper, but she made no mistake with the rebound as she found the back of the net.
The half-time score was Colaiste Pobail Fola 3–0 Tullamore Sacred Heart.
The second half kicked off, and Tullamore came out of the blocks quickly, knowing they would need an early goal to have a chance of a comeback, but again, the defence of CP Fola stood strong and had an answer for each attack that Tullamore attempted.
Jade Braiden and Aimee Thornton bossed the midfield for CP Fola, and anytime Tullamore did break down the strong midfield, they did not break down the well-organised back four of Emma Martin, Emma Joyce, Teagan Doyle, and Ruby Maher.
Every ball won back by CP Fola turned into quick counters led by the devastating attacks of Robyn Brady, Jamie Riley, Sophie Fetherston, and Mia Saunders.
The second half played out with very little chance for both sides, as CP Fola were happy to keep their lead and look for chances on the break while Tullamore pushed hard to find a goal.
The game finished 3-0 to Colaiste Pobail Fola, and the girl’s made history by being the first team in the school to win a Leinster title and securing themselves the double!
