Match of the Week: TCS crowned Leinster champions

TWENTY years since their last successful Leinster school’s championship, Tallaght Community School (TCS) were champions again, following a hard fought 4-2 victory over Loretto Balbriggan last Thursday in the prestigious Girls U17s Leinster School’s Championship final reports Rory Merriman.

Shamrock Rovers prodigy, and Women’s league of Ireland youngest goal scorer record holder, Ella Kelly, didn’t fail to impress as the 15-year-old bagged all four goals for her team.

Managing the girls to their success was Leanne Nicholson, a science teacher at Tallaght Community School who was overwhelmed with pride at full time.

“We just couldn’t be prouder of the girls, myself Alison Quinn and Julie Reddy are so lucky to get to work with a bunch like this,” Nicholson told The Echo.

“They’re a side that have each other’s back through thick and thin, with great heart and a terrific mental capacity to keep going when times are tough.”

With the final needing to take place in a neutral venue, the schools ventured west to Newbridge Town FC astro pitch in Co. Kildare where the game got underway midday.

Drawing first blood was Loretto Balbriggan, who off the back of a corner managed to beat Tallaght goalkeeper, Praise Mober who despite her best efforts couldn’t keep the ball out of the net.

In quick concession, captain Ella Kelly, assisted by her younger sister Hannah, snatched one back for Tallaght to level the scoring.

Despite Balbriggan securing a second for themselves off the back of a defensive error in the Tallaght backline, it was a lead that wasn’t to last long, as Kelly stepped up to the penalty spot and levelled the scoring once again.

Perseverance, and self-belief was evident among the Dublin 24 side as 15-year-old Ella Kelly secured her hat-trick with a screamer from outside of the box to make it 3-2 for her side.

Notable performances from Aoibha Smart, Keeley Dooley and Farrah Tilly assisted Tallaght in dominating the second half, as Ella Kelly iced the cake for TCS with a 4th goal inside the box, to put the game to bed.

The final whistle echoed around Newbridge Astro pitch, indicating success for the Tallaght girls as U17s Leinster School Champions.

“These girls are absolute role models, not just for their classmates but for women’s football in general,” Nicholson told The Echo.

“They’re a team that play with such heart, no matter what’s thrown at them. I put that mental strength down to a game we played before Christmas, where we came from 3-0 behind in the last 2 minutes, levelling the score and then winning the penalty shootout against Lucan Community School in the cup last year,” revealed Nicholson.

“Of the 12 girls that played today, seven of them were just 12/13 years of age in first year.

“That just shows the progression in the women’s game and I am so proud of what they have achieved.

“It’s easy for us as coaches, because all the work is done by the local clubs in the area such as Tallaght Town, Kilnamanagh and Rovers of course.”

“There was a Guard of Honor for the girls in the school when they returned the same day.

“It’s just such a great achievement for the school, the girls themselves and women’s football in general,” Nicholson concluded.