Bennett inspires Eureka moment

EUREKA SECONDARY SCHOOL, Kells, Co Meath set up an FAI Schools Senior Girls All-Ireland decider against Loreto, Letterkenny, on March 22 with a narrow semi-final victory yesterday in Arklow.

St Angela’s were desperately unlucky not to force extra-time given the number of second-half chances they produced but the tie was settled by Áine Bennett’s superb strike.

The Eureka midfielder netted the solitary strike of the contest midway through the first half by unleashing a shot from 25 yards which spun wickedly in the wind on its way to beating goalkeeper Gráinne Flood.

The strong breeze favoured St Angela’s in the second half yet they failed to convert any of the several openings to equalise which came their way.

EUREKA SS: Jennifer Newman, Leah Newman, Niamh O’Keefe, Roisin McFadden, Kellie Allen, Joanna Byrne, Áine Bennett, Jackie Kavanagh, Shianne Swarres, Sharon Mullen, Edwina Olwill.Subs: Rebecca Goodwin, Michelle O’Reilly, Amy Dugdale.

ST ANGELA’S URSULINE: Gráinne Flood, Naomi Douglas, Becky Conroy, Jessica Gleeson, Treasa Doorley, Rachel Corcoran, Rachel Hutchinson, Ciara O’Brien, Besarti Ajeti, Lucy Stoneman, Aisling Crawley.

Subs: Clodagh Veale, Maggie Doolan, Hannah Walsh, Rachel Flynn.

Referee: Paul O’Brien (Wicklow).