Rathcoole's Holy Family Community School kept their cool to beat Ursuline College, Sligo in a dramatic penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw to lift the FAI Schools Senior Girls National Cup for the first time.

Nothing could separate the sides in 90 minutes and again in extra-time but Rathcoole goalkeeper Naoise Coughlan stepped up to be the hero with three impressive saves in the penalty shoot-out to ensure her side secured the trophy.
 
It was a first Senior National Cup appearance for both teams and it proved to be a nervy opening period but lived up to a pulsating encounter as the girls settled into the big bill event. 
 
Ursuline’s had an opportunity to break the deadlock in the closing stages of the half when Laura Hunter’s cross was dropped by Coughlan, but Tara Flynn’s follow up was pulled wide of the post.
 
Sligo’s captain Rachel McGoldrick had a half chance while Sophie Herbert went close as the teams went into the break scoreless. Rathcoole impressed in the early exchanges of the second period with Sophie Flannary and Sadie Keane testing McMahon between the posts.
 
The deadlock was finally broken on 52 minutes when Rathcoole ace Sophie Flannary pounced on a clearance from netminder McMahon to slot home from close range.
 
Ursuline’s Susan Martin Vaquero blasted a shot on target, but the diving Coughlan was equal to the challenge and got down well to see it clear. However, the sides were level on the hour mark when the industrious Rachel McGoldrick netted a stunning strike to make it 1-1.
 
The atmosphere in Athlone Town Stadium was electric as the contest neared the end. Unfortunately, a winner couldn’t be snatched in extra-time so the dreaded penalty shoot-out would decide the winner!
 
Naoise Coughlan saved two on the bounce for Rathcoole while Sadie Keane and Captain Michelle Muddiman converted for Holy Family as they commanded the early exchanges.
 
Tense moments ensued as McKenzie Reynolds converted Sligo’s third while Lily McGovern stepped up to net Rathcoole’s third. 1-3 at this juncture.
 
Coughlan was on hand to deny Sligo their fourth, with her third save of the afternoon and thus capture the win following a fantastic showcase from both sets of players.
 
FAI Board member Caroline Rhatigan was on hand to present the trophy to Holy Family Community School captain Michelle Muddiman. An extraordinary and memorable occasion for the Leaving Cert student as she finally got their hands on the FAI Schools Senior Girls National Cup. 
 
Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole: Naoise Coughlan, Lily McGovern, Casey O’Keeffe, Kate McGovern, Michelle Muddiman, Emma Coughlan (Mia Mearns 27), Ruby Curtis, Ali McKusker, Sadie Keane, Sophie Flannary, Caitlin Troy (Ella Rochford 53).
Substitutes Not Used: Brooke Curtis, Ellen Haugh, Hannah Walsh, Abigail Kelly, Sophie Harford.
Extended Squad: Abigail Ryan Skelly, Emma Dowling, Lucy Taaffe, Clara Traynor, Lana Traynor, Austina Geraltauskaite, Lucy Dowling.
Teachers: Ines Quinlan, James Shannon, Liam O’Sullivan.
 
Ursuline College, Sligo: Ivana McMahon, Tara Flynn, Ciara Murphy, Katie McDonagh, Kate Golden (Freya McCaffrey 31), Kya McKenna, Laura Hunter, Rachel McGoldrick, McKenzie Reynolds, Sophie Herbert (Layla Fagan 64), Susan Martin Vaquero.
Substitutes Not Used: Leah Hynes, Niamh Murphy, Mairéad McIntyre, Ava Colreavy, Ava Canning.
Extended Squad: Emma Fehrmann.
Teacher: Niamh Gallagher. Coach: Brian Chambers.
 
Referee: William Stokes.