Doyle’s double secures first Irish U-15 FAI Soccer title for Salerno girls

Timing is everything and Sadhbh Doyle obviously has the art perfected as her match-winner a minute from time gave Salerno Secondary School the U-15 FAI Schools’ Girls All-Ireland title in Athlone on Thursday afternoon.

It was a first-ever national crown for the Salthill school and coming from behind at the break, they provided the perfected second half response, with a pair of stunning Doyle goals.

The Barna native has been blazing a trail up the road to Drom from a very young age, and like many of her colleagues plays with Salthill Devon. It was the third game in succession in which the striker got a crucial goal, as she notched an additional time winner as Salerno defeated Sacred Heart from Westport 2-1 in the Connacht Final.

They also left it late in the recent All-Ireland semi-final as they came from behind to record a 3-2 victory over Abbey Community School, Waterford. After Alison Blaney got their opener, two goals in the closing eight minutes by Doyle and Ciara Wall rescued what seemed a lost cause.

In this contest, matters looked ominous for them as they played second fiddle to the Portlaoise side for long spells, who took a deserved lead into the break courtesy of a goal from Emma Lawlor.

The pattern was similar on the resumption, as the Leinster side continued to look the more threatening outfit, but were struggling to get any latitude from an outstanding Salerno defence. Behind them goalkeeper Maria Burke was inspired, as her handling and shot stopping was of the highest order.

While Salerno were backboned by players from Salthill Devon, more than half the Portlaoise side play their club fare with the very successful Emo Celtic. As well as providing the majority of the side, many were part of the School’s First Year’s team that won the All Ireland the previous week with a 7-2 success over Roscommon.

Star of that side was Lawlor, who notched five in the decider and from the off she posed a huge threat and it took two very smart Burke saves to deny her in the early minutes.

However, she opened the Portlaoise account with a terrific goal on 12 minutes. Cutting in from the left flank, she saw off two challengers, before making it 1-0 with a smart low finish beyond Burke.

For the duration the game, both sides had their moments as the game ebbed and flowed. After Portlaoise’s impressive start, it was then the turn of Salerno to take over as Meadhbh Corcoran and Catherine Timon got them moving in midfield.

A weakly-hit Doyle shot was comfortably gathered by Aimee Keane, before Ciara Wall struck the side netting after the ball broke to her in the box. Just before the break, a smart move down the left involving Megan Mulleady and Corcoran released Doyle, but her delivery across the face of goal, just got the better of the inrushing Wall.

The Salerno defence excelled in the opening half, and they surpassed it on the resumption as right full Dearbhail Comerford completely blocked out the threat of Lawlor, while wide on the left nothing got past Rebecca Downes, as she won every ball down her side.

At the heart of the defence, captain Rachel Hohan and Sarah Dunleavy were magnificent as they kept a rampant Laois side at bay. Wide players Ciara Wall and Megan Mulleady dropped deep to offer support when the occasion arose, while at the same time got forward to support Blaney and Doyle who were working overtime as they lived on scraps at the other end.

As the defence and Burke kept Salerno in the contest, they got their reward when the game took a sudden turn on 47 minutes, as Doyle gained possession just outside the box and after bursting through a number of players she made it 1-1 with a low shot just inside the far post.

Scoil Chriost Ri responded and a cracking shot by Gillian Keenan came crashing back off the crossbar. It was a backs-to-the-wall situation for Salerno and just when it looked like extra time was beckoning, they struck for a dramatic winner on 59 minutes.

Again Doyle was the instigator and finisher as she played a smashing 1-2 with Wall on the edge of the box and in a replica of her earlier goal, she made it 2-1 with another confident finish.

The day was won –coach Gerry Heaney was drowned by players and students and after all had settled down, Honan made it up the steps of Lissywollen Stadium to collect the Cup from FAI Schools official Alex Harkin.