Kildare Primary Schools Soccer Finals: Girls Results/Thurs Boys Finals

The finals are being held on the Astroturf Pitch, Kilcullen Community Centre

Girls Division 3

Scoil Náisiúnta Colmcill Naofa, Moone  1 - 0   Donard NS

Scorer - Ruby Rose Dunne (Moone NS - 8mins)

Just as it was in their previous 0-0 encounter in the group stages, there was very little to separate these two teams who came into the final with identical records of 3 wins and a draw apiece. Moone started brightly and went ahead with what proved to be the winner from Ruby Rose Dunne who applied a close range finish after 8 mins after good build-up play by her teammates.

Donard NS battled bravely and showed great spirit throughout but just couldn't find a way to breach the resolute Moone NS rearguard.

Moone were very unlucky not to add a second goal when Fia Handy intercepted a Donard kickout and hit a great shot against the post with only five minutes left to play.

Best for Donard NS on the day were Lucy Lavelle, Abbie Stynes, Kate Palmer and Emma Corrigan while Moone NS had key performances from their entire backline, Fia Handy, Lauren Dooley and captain Emma O'Meara.

Girls Division 2

Scoil Eoin Phoil, Leixlip   4 - 1    St Joseph's NS, Kilcock

Scorers: Leixlip (Caoimhe Roche 4mins, Khloe Keegan 8mins, 

Marnie Ward 29mins, Sadhbh Roche 48mins) 

St Joseph's NS, Kilcock (Lucy Gallagher 55mins)

These 2 schools played out a very closely contested 1-1 draw in their previous encounter in the group stages before coming through their respective semi-finals to meet again. Scoil Eoin Phoil enjoyed a terrific start to this game taking the lead after just 4 minutes after an excellent corner by Khloe Keegan was met with a cushioned volley by Caoimhe Roche that went in off the back post.

They doubled their lead just moments later when Keegan herself shot from just outside the box. St Joseph's having had a very tough start to the game began to settle and grow into the contest but were hit with another sucker punch when Marnie Ward added a third goal for Scoil Eoin Phoil with another shot from outside the penalty area after 29 minutes to leave the school from Leixlip 3 nil up at the break.

St Joseph's started the second half brightly and attacked with every opportunity in an attempt to get back into the game but were caught on a counter attack when Sadhbh Roche joined her twin sister on the scoresheet when adding a fourth goal for Leixlip in the 48th minute. To their credit, St Joseph's NS kept on battling right to the end and never gave up and showed great spirit and determination when they deservedly pulled a goal back on 55 minutes through midfielder Lucy Gallagher who lofted a beautiful shot from outside the box that went in just under the bar.

It was a sweet victory for Scoil Eoin Phoil of Leixlip who were so unfortunate to lose out to Scoil Diarmada NS of Casteldermot on penalties in last year's final and they had some survivors from that team again today. St Joseph's NS were first time finalists in the Girls Leagues and will hope to follow Scoil Eoin Phoil's lead and build upon their great campaign by coming back even stronger next year. Best for Kilcock on the day were Keela O'Toole, Lucy Walsh, Cliodhna McNickle and Lucy Gallagher while Khloe Keegan, Paige Phillips and twin sisters Caoimhe and Sadhbh Roche were immense for Leixlip in a wonderful overall team performance.

Girls Division 1

Scoil Bhríde, Clane   1 - 1 AET   Scoil Bhríde, Kill 

Scorers: Scoil Bhríde, Clane (Lily Bell penalty 5 mins)

Scoil Bhríde, Kill (Habiba Helmy 60 +1 mins)

Scoil Bhríde Clane won 4-3 on penalties

Rounding out the action on Girls Finals Day was a battle of the Scoil Bhrídes as the girls of Clane and Kill locked horns in a bid to be crowned Division 1 champions. Just like the other finalists in Divisions 2 and 3 before them, these 2 schools also played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in their earlier encounter in the group stages. Clane were first time finalists while Scoil Bhríde, Kill are no strangers to Finals Day and very narrowly lost out 1-0 to Scoil Uí Riada of Kilcock in last year's decider.

Clane took the lead in the 25th minute after referee Eddie Sullivan awarded a penalty for a handball infringement in the Kill penalty area. Centre half Lily Bell confidently dispatched her spot kick into the top left hand corner of the Kill net. Kill responded quickly and were unlucky not to find an equaliser after a great pass down the right wing was latched onto by captain Caoimhe Brennan who collected the ball and drove towards the edge of the Clane penalty area before unleashing a powerful shot which Clane keeper, Drew Thompson, did well to parry out for a corner.

Clane went into the half-time break with a slender 1 nil lead. Kill came out a very determined side in the second half and were beginning to crank up the pressure on the Clane rearguard. Captain Holly Brennan went on another terrific run down the left flank this time before turning the ball back to teammate Habiba Helmy who whipped in a very dangerous low cross after 45 minutes

 Kill were very unfortunate to see a headed equaliser fby midfielder Lena Olademigi ruled out for a push in the build up in the 52nd minute. In a thrilling end to end encounter where Kill were pushing hard for an equaliser, they were beginning to leave some gaps in defence but Clane were unable to capitalise on this. Kill finally struck for a richly deserved equaliser in the first minute of added time when Isabelle Moylan gathered a half-cleared corner on the edge of the Clane penalty area before turning on a sixpence away from two Clane defenders and whipping in a very dangerous low cross which was met near the penalty spot by Helmy who made no mistake with an excellent drilled finish low and hard to the bottom left hand corner of the Clane net.

Five minutes each way of extra-time followed but the teams could not be separated and so it went to a penalty shootout where Clane came out on top on a 4 - 3 scoreline. A thrilling encounter and a fantastic advert for girls soccer in Kildare where there was very high level of skill and technique on display throughout the game by both teams who were roundly applauded by all in attendance at the final whistle. Kill had star performers in Abigail O'Keefe, Habiba Helmy, Lena Olademigi and captain Caoimhe Brennan who was everywhere for her team whilst Clane enjoyed fantastic performances by Kate Ormsby, Lily Bell, Emma O'Donoghue and Joan Mackey.

Kildare Primary Soccer Boys Finals Thursday October 24th

Boys Div 4 - 11am St. Laurence's NS, Crookstown Vs Donard NS

Boys Div 3 - 12.15pm Kildare Town ETNS Vs Scoil Eoin Phoil, Leixlip

Boys Div 2 - 1.30pm Scoil Phádraig Naofa, Athy Vs Scoil Uí Riada, Kilcock

Boys Div 1 - 2.45pm  Rathangan BNS Vs St Joseph's NS, Kilcock