SFAI National Trophy Cup Weekend
U14 Girls – St Ita’s AFC v Cappamore
St Ita’s U14 Girls welcomed Cappamore for their SFAI National Trophy Cup encounter, facing a difficult challenge against a strong opposition side. With several key players unavailable, the girls found themselves up against it from the outset and trailed 6-0 at the interval.
However, the Saints showed tremendous character and determination after the break, refusing to let the scoreline affect their efforts. They responded brilliantly with three quick-fire goals to give themselves a foothold in the game and continued to push forward despite having just one substitute available. A missed penalty was another opportunity that might have added to their tally, but the girls kept battling right through to the final whistle.
Although the game finished 7-3 in Cappamore’s favour, the second-half response was a credit to the players and their attitude.
St Ita’s goals: Grace Cregan, Gerianna Scanlon and Grace Cotter.
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U15 Boys – St Ita’s AFC v Killarney Athletic
SFAI National Trophy – Round 2
St Ita’s U15 Boys faced a formidable challenge in the second round of the SFAI National Trophy as they welcomed a very strong Killarney Athletic side to Ashford.
The visitors arrived with an impressive pedigree, having reached the quarter-finals of last season’s competition at U14 level, and they quickly demonstrated the quality within their ranks.
Killarney made a fast start, establishing a 3-0 lead inside the opening 20 minutes before extending their advantage to 5-0 by half-time. The Saints continued to work hard throughout the second period against difficult opposition, eventually going down 8-1 at the final whistle.
There was still a positive moment for St Ita’s, with JJ Collins finding the net to register his first goal for the club. A deserved milestone for JJ and a moment to take pride in despite a challenging afternoon.
While the result was disappointing, the experience of facing opposition of this quality will provide valuable lessons for the squad as they continue their development.
St Ita’s goal: JJ Collins.
U12 Girls SFAI National Trophy – First Round
Inter Kenmare 3–0 St Ita’s
The final scoreline of 3-0 doesn’t come close to telling the full story of this performance from our U12 Girls, who travelled to Kenmare for their SFAI National Trophy first-round encounter.
St Ita’s started brightly and immediately put the home side under pressure, playing some excellent football and getting on the front foot. After 15 minutes, Shona had two excellent opportunities to put the Saints ahead, both created through great team play and two fantastic crosses. Unfortunately, the Kenmare goalkeeper was equal to both efforts.
Having worked so hard and looked the more threatening side for much of the opening half, the girls were dealt a cruel blow just four minutes before the break when Kenmare found the net with a superb strike, seemingly out of nowhere.
The Saints came out for the second half with the same determination and continued to work tirelessly. However, as the game wore on, a strong Kenmare side managed to find a second before adding a third with just five minutes remaining.
Even then, our girls refused to throw in the towel and created another one or two opportunities to get themselves on the scoresheet, but Kenmare defended well to keep us out.
While the result didn’t go our way, there is plenty to be proud of. Every single player, from 1 to 13, gave absolutely everything, worked their socks off and represented the club with great pride.
Football doesn’t always reward the team that puts in the effort, but performances like this show the character, commitment and progress within this group.
Heads up, girls. You did yourselves, your coaches and St Ita’s AFC proud. The scoreline doesn’t define your performance!
U14 Girls – St Ita’s AFC v Cappamore
St Ita’s U14 Girls welcomed Cappamore for their SFAI National Trophy Cup encounter, facing a difficult challenge against a strong opposition side. With several key players unavailable, the girls found themselves up against it from the outset and trailed 6-0 at the interval.
However, the Saints showed tremendous character and determination after the break, refusing to let the scoreline affect their efforts. They responded brilliantly with three quick-fire goals to give themselves a foothold in the game and continued to push forward despite having just one substitute available. A missed penalty was another opportunity that might have added to their tally, but the girls kept battling right through to the final whistle.
Although the game finished 7-3 in Cappamore’s favour, the second-half response was a credit to the players and their attitude.
St Ita’s goals: Grace Cregan, Gerianna Scanlon and Grace Cotter.
⸻
U15 Boys – St Ita’s AFC v Killarney Athletic
SFAI National Trophy – Round 2
St Ita’s U15 Boys faced a formidable challenge in the second round of the SFAI National Trophy as they welcomed a very strong Killarney Athletic side to Ashford.
The visitors arrived with an impressive pedigree, having reached the quarter-finals of last season’s competition at U14 level, and they quickly demonstrated the quality within their ranks.
Killarney made a fast start, establishing a 3-0 lead inside the opening 20 minutes before extending their advantage to 5-0 by half-time. The Saints continued to work hard throughout the second period against difficult opposition, eventually going down 8-1 at the final whistle.
There was still a positive moment for St Ita’s, with JJ Collins finding the net to register his first goal for the club. A deserved milestone for JJ and a moment to take pride in despite a challenging afternoon.
While the result was disappointing, the experience of facing opposition of this quality will provide valuable lessons for the squad as they continue their development.
St Ita’s goal: JJ Collins.
U12 Girls SFAI National Trophy – First Round
Inter Kenmare 3–0 St Ita’s
The final scoreline of 3-0 doesn’t come close to telling the full story of this performance from our U12 Girls, who travelled to Kenmare for their SFAI National Trophy first-round encounter.
St Ita’s started brightly and immediately put the home side under pressure, playing some excellent football and getting on the front foot. After 15 minutes, Shona had two excellent opportunities to put the Saints ahead, both created through great team play and two fantastic crosses. Unfortunately, the Kenmare goalkeeper was equal to both efforts.
Having worked so hard and looked the more threatening side for much of the opening half, the girls were dealt a cruel blow just four minutes before the break when Kenmare found the net with a superb strike, seemingly out of nowhere.
The Saints came out for the second half with the same determination and continued to work tirelessly. However, as the game wore on, a strong Kenmare side managed to find a second before adding a third with just five minutes remaining.
Even then, our girls refused to throw in the towel and created another one or two opportunities to get themselves on the scoresheet, but Kenmare defended well to keep us out.
While the result didn’t go our way, there is plenty to be proud of. Every single player, from 1 to 13, gave absolutely everything, worked their socks off and represented the club with great pride.
Football doesn’t always reward the team that puts in the effort, but performances like this show the character, commitment and progress within this group.
Heads up, girls. You did yourselves, your coaches and St Ita’s AFC proud. The scoreline doesn’t define your performance!
