McGuire’s hat-trick helps Glenamaddy retain Junior B Girls’ National Cup title
Glenamaddy Community School striker Ruby McGuire after her hat-trick in Wednesday's Junior B Girls’ National Cup final.
Ruby McGuire’s hat-trick helped Glenamaddy Community School retain the FAI Schools Junior ‘B’ Girls National Cup (U-17, Small School) following a clinical performance against St. Peter’s Community School, Passage West, in Ballingarry AFC, Limerick, on Wednesday afternoon.
The East Galway side were in exceptional form, and it took a complete team performance to show their class and outsmart a hardworking Cork outfit.
Glenamaddy took the lead in the 12th minute as Beth O’Mahony swung a boot to slot home from close range following a goalmouth scramble for the opener.
St. Peter’s Lexie O’Riordan combined well with the stylish Eva Barry, but the latter’s effort floated over the upright on 15 minutes.
Seconds later, Glenamaddy star Chloe Gordon cut in from the right flank, but her effort was too high, while Chloe Walsh stopped a good effort to deny Aisling Kennedy as chances went amiss.
Captain Ali O’Toole doubled Glenamaddy’s advantage from the penalty spot on 18 minutes, while Lauren Davis smashed a stunning volley to the net five minutes later as they went 3-0 ahead.
Ida Bandos grabbed one back for Passage West on 27 minutes with an excellent individual effort.
However, Glenamaddy responded three minutes later with Ruby McGuire guiding the ball on target following a nice through ball from Kennedy to establish a 4-1 buffer at the break.
Ruby McGuire grabbed her second of the afternoon 11 minutes into the restart as sister Hazel turned supplier.
Lexie O’Riordan snatched on a loose ball in a congested box a minute later to make it 2-5.
McGuire netted her hat-trick 13 minutes from time with a neat header following a delightful pass from Beth O’Mahony to leave the East Galway school four goals to the good.
Grace Halvey converted a seventh for Glenamaddy with eight minutes remaining to ensure an empathic result.
The victory was a fitting tribute to Glenamaddy Principal James Duignan, who retires this week following 26 years at the helm.
Mentor John Kennedy dedicated the victory to Mr Duignan following the cup celebrations, describing his unwavering support to his students in all sporting codes as “exceptional” during his tenure at the school.
GLENAMADDY COMMUNITY SCHOOL: Katie Forde, Edie Kilmartin, Hazel McGuire, Katie Conneely, Ali O’Toole, Aisling Kennedy, Chloe Gordon, Lauren Davis, Ruby McGuire, Grace Halvey, Beth O’Mahoney, Subs: Michelle Mulryan, Eibhlín Collins, Amy Boyle, Charlie Stephens, Mya Stephens, Nicole Mulhern, Roisin Brennan.
Management: John Kennedy, Ellie McDermott, James Duignan (Principal), Gerry Davis (coach).
