2nd March 2010

Moyne girls triumph in penalty shoot out!

 Last Friday Moyne CS took up from where they left off last season and won the Leinster Under 16 Girls soccer title, beating Kilcullen 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the sides  finished 3-3 after extra time, in a nail biting final, played in the Athlone Institute of Technology all weather facilities.

This win, following the all conquering achievements of last year’s under 14 team, along with the successful Longford Town FC under 14s, continues a remarkable trend in girls soccer in the county.  This team is a mixture of last year’s under 14’s along with 4 players not eligible last season.

This final was Moynes first at the under 16 level, and the team now progress to the All Ireland semi finals, details of which are expected to be confirmed shortly.

The game exploded into life when Michelle Farrell scored the opener for Moyne on 20 minutes. The goal was coming with Catriona Farrelly working tirelessly to put the Kilcullen defence under pressure and the midfield of Ellen Murphy, Mandy Cassidy, Niamh Halton and Donna Masterson dominating. However, Moyne seem to sit back on their lead and Kilcullen came into the game and deservedly equalised before half time. In the second half the momentum had swung to Kilcullen and eventually this paid off when midway through the half they went 2-1 up. Moyne had to respond, and this they did, and they began to dominate the game, but failed to take any of their chances. Indeed, were it not for some fine goalkeeping by Laura Whelan, and excellent defending by team captain, Michelle Masterson, aided by the other centre half Ellie Collumb and full backs, Karen Mckeon and Aideen Mimnagh, Moyne could have fallen further behind.  However, with less than a minute left on the clock Moyne were awarded a free directly in front of the goals. An excellent free kick by Michelle Farrell was finished to the net by Niamh Halton.

The game now went into extra time and the fresh legs of Michelle Heslin, Aideen Gregg and Aine Heslin, helped boost a tired Moyne. In the second period Michelle Farrell gave Moyne the lead for the second time with a well taken goal.  However, Moyne couldn’t hold out as Kilcullen came back and deservedly equalised in the last seconds of extra time.

Penalties were called for and successful kicks by Niamh Halton, Michelle Heslin and Ellie Collumb put Moyne ahead, and then Laura Whelan saved Kilcullens 4^th penalty with a superb save, sending the team and supporters into ecstasy.

Moyne Team: Laura Whelan, Karen McKeon, Michelle Masterson, Ellie Collum, Aideen Mimnagh, Ellen Murphy, Niamh Halton, Mandy Cassidy, Donna Masterson, Caitriona Farrelly, Michelle Farrell, Aine Martin, Michelle Heslin, Aine Heslin, Aideen Gregg, Rebecca Maguire and Emma Farrelly.