Magnificent seven as Killeigh girls topple Dublin giants in national cup competition

KILLEIGH Under 14 schoolgirls traveled to renowned Dublin club Stella Maris and put in an impressive performance to defeat their illustrious hosts on Sunday.

SFAI U-14 Girls Cup Last 32

Stella Maris 0
Killeigh 7

The young Killeigh players have played every game away on their cup run, traveling to Roscommon, Kildare, Laois and Dublin on their journey so far. Thanks to the earlier wins, they now have a South Leinster Cup Final to look forward to, in addition to being in the draw for the last 16 in the country.

It was a bright opening on Sunday afternoon, with Stella Maris impressing in the opening exchanges, but within a minute of the start, Killeigh were in for their first goal, thanks to an excellent finish by Leah Stack.

She doubled her account shortly after that as Killeigh went at their hosts.

Emma Mooney got in on the act with a brilliant long range effort, with just 15 minutes on the clock.

Emma Mooney would go on to score a hat-trick in that first half as Killeigh put in an almost complete performance to lead 0-5 at the break.

Alison Judge controlled things well in the first half from midfield, and with the tireless running of Maddie McDonnell, they created the ideal platform for Emma Mooney to dominate. 

Niamh Power and Blathnaid Lynch provided great space from the wings, despite coming up against some impressive defenders, which allowed Leah Stack and Mooney to run riot though the middle.

In goals, Ellen Gorman set the tone for the defence and dealt with some crosses expertly, when Stella Maris occasionally threatened. 

The Killeigh defence also impressed, with Niamh Coughlan and Louise Doyle giving very little away in the centre of the back four. Robyn O’Reilly and Mikel O’Meara also were particularly solid, despite the threat down the wings from Stella Maris.

An early goal from Leah Stack in the second half essentially settled the tie for Killeigh, with a late penalty from the same player sealing the 0-7 scoreline.

Substitutes Abbie Mullan, Cadhla Barrett, Meabh Dillon, Alish Walsh and Isabel Mooney all came on and impressed in the second half.

While the Stella Maris team is an Under 13 one, Killeigh also fielded several plays of the same age, and with many of the home team players in the Dublin MGL academy, they were a strong technical side who would have been difficult opponents for any team.

In a very sporting gesture, the Killeigh Schoolgirls were given a round of applause from the home supporters as they walked off the pitch. They were also provided with food afterwards as Stella Maris, renowned for producing many Irish internationals including Dave O’Leary, Eamon Dunphy, Johnny Giles, Aine O’Gorman and Stephanie Roche, proved to be gracious hosts.

Killeigh team: Ellen Gorman, Mikel O'Meara, Louise Doyle, Niamh Coughlan, Robyn O'Reilly, Alison Judge, Emma Mooney, Maddie McDonnell, Niamh Power, Leah Stack, Blathnaid Lynch, Subs all used: Abbie Mullan, Meabh Dillon, Cadhla Barrett, Ailish Walsh, Isabel Mooney.