Fleming stars in comprehensive Bob Docherty Cup win
Newbridge's Daisy Fleming was captain and player of the match as the Republic of Ireland beat Northern Ireland in the Girls U15 SAFIB Bob Docherty Cup match at Home Farm FC. Photo: Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Newbridge’s Daisy Fleming was captain and player of the match as the Republic of Ireland Schools team captured the SAFIB Bob Docherty Cup with a comfortable win over visitors Northern Ireland at Home Farm FC, Whitehall yesterday afternoon (Sunday, March 29).
Fleming scored the last goal in the 6-0 win, following on from a first half brace from Mia Whelan and a second half brace from her replacement Saoirse Reynolds as well as a goal from Fiadh Woods ensured back to back title wins for the hosts.
The usual week-long tournament held over the Easter Break was reduced to a double header with neighbouring Northern Ireland this season following the withdrawal of Scotland and England in the competition.
The Republic of Ireland Schools were defending the title which saw Captain Ellen Goggin (Crescent College Comprehensive, Limerick) lift the Cup following a two-year absence. Richard Berkeley’s squad had defeated England (2-1), Scotland (2-0) and Northern Ireland (3-2) to claim glory in Greenisland FC, Carrickfergus twelve months previously.
This season, the first leg played last week in Belfast saw a Maisy Healy hat-trick as well as goals from Mia Whelan, Ava Gallagher and Fiadh Woods, to set them up nicely for Sunday’s conclusion.
Berkeley made seven changes ahead of the final outing with Newbridge starlet Fleming skippering the side. The only players to retain their starting positions were Fitzpatrick, Pustay, Whelan and Fleming.
Coláiste Bride, Enniscorthy student Whelan got them off to the perfect start with a lovely finish past the impressive Ifeoma Agoha with three minutes played.
The Northern Ireland netminder was in sensational form and pulled off some magnificent saves to deny Alannah Mooney (New Cross College, Finglas) and the industrious Rosaleen O’Leary (St. Mary’s Secondary School, Nenagh) on the half hour mark.
With a minute remaining in the first period, Whelan headed home her second of the contest as she connected brilliantly from a well worked Mooney corner to leave the hosts two up at the interval.
Substitute Saoirse Reynolds who replaced goal-scorer Whelan at half-time continued their rich vein of form with a third six minutes in when she squeezed her effort in at the near post.
Reynolds, the Sacred Heart School, Westport scholar headed in the Republic’s fourth of the afternoon just past the hour mark when Aoibhe Galvin (Kylemore College, Ballyfermot) turned supplier to net six yards out.
While the hardworking Woods (Holy Faith Secondary School, Clontarf) and Captain Fleming (Holy Family Secondary School, Newbridge) struck late on to ensure a comfortable 6-0 win over the visitors. The same scoreline as the previous encounter in Belfast.
It was no surprise that Fleming was named Player of the Match as she marshalled the team superbly throughout the game adding a goal late on to boot.
