School team from Tipperary struck a blow for women's soccer in 2024

The Presentation Secondary School in Thurles struck a significant blow for women’s soccer in the county by winning the All-Ireland Under 20 National Cup last year.

The achievement earned the team an Annerville sports award. The awards, sponsored by Bulmers, will be presented to all the award winners by the Tipperary United Sports Panel at its annual function at the Talbot Hotel Clonmel on Saturday night, January 25.

The Presentation Thurles team had to do it the hard way, overcoming reigning champions Scoil Mhuire Buncrana, who were going for three in a row, in the final in Dundalk.

The game ended 0-0 after normal time but a goal in the second half of extra-time from Molly O’Dwyer, who plays with the St Kevin’s club in Two Mile Borris, saw the Tipperary school win 1-0 and lift their third-ever crown.

They had to withstand some intense pressure from the Donegal school in the closing stages but the defence held firm to ensure that the cup would return to the Cathedral town for the first time in six years. 

The first success had come two years previously, in 2016.

There was great excitement and celebrations when captain Grace Flanagan from Cashel, who is also captain of the Cork City under 19 team, raised the cup aloft.

They also finished the season with a Munster title, which was secured following a 3-0 win over Laurel Hill, Limerick, in the final, and which was followed by a penalty shootout victory over Athlone Community College in the All-Ireland semi-final.

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