Moate CS junior ladies set for Leinster semi-final
Moate Community School are preparing to take on FCJ Secondary School, Bunclody in their LGFA Leinster Schools Junior 'A' semi-final tomorrow (Tuesday), December 19.
The game will take place at the Laois GAA Centre of Excellence, which is adjacent to O’Moore Park, Portlaoise (throw-in 12.00).
Moate CS are the defending Leinster champions at the junior (under-16) grade and are bidding to retain their title.
The squad has had an exciting and challenging year of football so far, defeating Maynooth EC in the first round to make a great start to the the campaign. As it was their first game playing together as a team, this was a huge win for MCS who showed huge determination until the final whistle.
Moate CS then had a very competitive challenge game against Our Lady's Bower, Athlone, with every girl on the panel getting to showcase their skills and football talent, and this was great preparation for the next round against Loreto, Navan. Moate CS played the Navan side at home on a rainy Friday morning in what was considered to be a very exciting game. Moate CS came out on top in the end with some key forwards kicking some crucial scores to win the game.
The third round of the Leinster Junior 'A' campaign was against Scoil Chroist Rí, Portlaoise, with the Laois side coming out on top after a tough game.
MCS then played a challenge against the Athlone minors to prepare them for the final round of the championship. MCS travelled down to Bunclody to play their last round against the Wexford side, but unfortunately fell short of the win but the girls never gave up and battled hard until the end of the match.
Scoil Chroist Rí are through to the final, with MCS looking forward to the challenge of a rematch with FCJ Bunclody in their semi-final. The Moate girls will be hoping for a different result on this occasion as they strive for a place in the final.
The Moate CS team are managed by Amy Hughes, who plays ladies football with Moate and camogie with Drumraney, and Sarah Murphy, a Kerry senior footballer who is a newly appointed PE teacher in the school.
Moate CS panel: Kara Stenson, Isabelle Madden, Aine Bracken, Lauren White, Alex Kelly, Sophie Padden, Lilly Daly, Seara Henson, Cadhla Kelly, Aislinn Kelly, Chloe Malone, Leyla Jones, Caitlin Bastic, Grace Shortall, Lucy Martin, Ava Cuffe, Erin O’Faolain, Heidi Murray, Anna Ryan, Clodagh Kelly, Eva Fox, Maria Loddick, Aoife Ross, Grace Galvin, Neasa Trainor, Kayla Moran, Emily Pratlett, Emily Nally, Karrissa Burns, Olivia McHugh, Lauren Fox.