St. Peter’s CS, Passage West 3 -2  St. Joseph’s SS, Foxford

St. Peter’s Community School came from two goals down to score a hat-trick in the second period to record a magnificent victory against a determined St. Joseph’s SS, Foxford on January 21 in Tulla United FC.

The Foxford ladies were the underdogs heading into this penultimate clash with the reigning All Ireland stars St. Peter’s the big draw, but nothing fazed the new comers.

St. Peter’s had overcame St. Fanahan’s College, Mitchelstown 3-0 in their provincial decider but St. Joseph’s had a sterner test with rivals St. Patrick’s College, Laken Cross, as the game ended 3-2 to the Foxford crew.

The Connacht Champs had Finbar Loftus’ side rattled with a brace of goals inside the first 11 minutes. Captain Mary McHale and the gifted Leah McHugh deceived the off side trap twice to slot past Aoife O’Flynn in the Passage goal mouth.

Some solid defending from Natasha Ganghen ensured St. Joseph’s went into the interval with a comfortable lead, much to the delight of mentor Breege McHale. It looked like there was an upset on the cards as St. Peter’s were struggling to get a shot on target.

A tactical substitution saw Kate Dorgan introduced at half time. Loftus also restructured defensively and this seemed to harmonize his troops as Danielle Hayes struck a lifeline five minutes in with a peach of a goal.

A purple patch on the hour mark saw a super sub Dorgan with a spectacular lob over the Foxford keeper to equalize in sensational style. Three minutes later, Danielle Burke saw her looping effort bust the back of the net with another goal of the match contender as St. Peter’s found a foothold in the game.

Gaughan, Reid, McHale and McHugh were working tirelessly to find an equalizer for St. Joseph’s but St. Peter’s kept the pressure on. Danielle Burke and Emma O’Sullivan were excellent defensively and kept any potential danger at bay while Histon and Fahy were ever present to agitate the Foxford side.

St. Peter’s clung on to the lead and now face Mulroy College, Milford in the National Cup Final, a rematch from last season which saw the Cork side lift the title. The two sides meet on Wednesday, February 3.

Best of Luck.