Powerful display by Eureka

Leading from start to finish the girls from Eureka, Kells claimed the All-Ireland Schools' JFC B football title with a powerhouse display against St Paul's, Bessbrook on Saturday. There was no shortage of support for the Meath side at the Gaelic Grounds, Drogheda and urged on by their fans in the stand the Eureka girls took the honours with an exhibition of how to translate opportunities into scores. "It was a great victory for the girls, they worked so hard for it, they deserved to win it," added Eureka coach David Wright who was assisted by Mary Foley and Aideen Mimnagh. Goals netted early in each half were among the chief reasons why Eureka were able to edge out spirited, capable opponents. Also part of the successful mix was a ferocious workrate, lots of skill and willingness to support each other during an entertaining contest not short of spills and thrills. Well known for their achievements on the soccer front, Eureka are also building up a big reputation in Gaelic football and this title can now be added to an All-Ireland 'C' crown achieved a few years ago. This particular team also took a Leinster crown at u-14 level. There was only four minutes played on Saturday when a sweeping move which involved Ruth Carry, Sinead Reilly, Leanne Lynch and Emma Somerville ended with Megan O'Brien volleying the ball to the net, soccer-style, for the first score of the game. That goal set the tone and helped the Kells school take an early stranglehold on proceedings. Their superiority was further enhanced on 19 minutes when Jacqueline Kavanagh took a pass from Somerville before skipping past a few challenges and rifling to the net boosting Eureka to a 2-4 to 0-7 interval advantage. Then in the early minutes of the second-half they struck again. This time Grainne Macken swept in a free from distance, the ball broke to Aine Bennett who slotted home. Lynch was to go on and fire home a fourth goal and copperfasten her team's unstoppable march to the podium. There was an element of good luck in that clinching goal as a Bennett shot cannoned off the woodwork into the path of Lynch who applied the finishing touch. There is little doubt that Eureka deserve to take the title as they put together some first-rate attacking moves. They were also strong defensively with the Armagh side getting two somewhat fortunate goals in the second-half through Amy Mulholland. Her double put a more balanced look on the final scoreline. The Eureka half-forward line of Somerville, Lynch and Kavanagh caused untold problems for the busy St Paul's defence. A particular feature of the game was the searing solo runs of Kavanagh who capped a memorable afternoon with four well-taken points from play. O'Brien, Somerville and Bennett were others who posted over points to ensure that their team stayed in front throughout. St Paul's did exert considerable pressure in the third-quarter as they sought to salvage their afternoon. The well-organised, resolute Eureka defence were well able to absorb the pressure with captain Macken and her colleagues closing down effectively. An example of the kind of spirit in the Eureka ranks came in the lead up to Bennett's goal. St Paul's launched an attack, but Lynch risked life and limb and get a block in. The ball was worked downfield and Bennett hit the target. After that there was no way back for St Paul's as Eureka marched on for what was yet another red-letter day on the sportsfield for the Kells school. Eureka, Kells - J Newman; L Henry, F Drew, C Browne; D Reilly, G Macken, R O'Brien; R Carry, M O'Brien (1-2); E Somerville (0-1), L Lynch (1-0), J Kavanagh (1-4); S Walsh, A Bennett (1-3, two frees), S Reilly. Sub - O Duff for Walsh, 42 mins. St Paul's, Bessbrook - N Mulligan; C Hughes, A Hughes, J Rocks; AM Ward, T Murphy, L Kenny; C Garvey (1-0), S O'Grady; C O'Callaghan, A Mulholland (1-2), N McKenna; A Mackin (0-4, frees), S Sexton (0-1), E Rooney (0-1). Subs - J Daly for O'Callaghan 27 mins; N Gibney for McKenna 43m; S McConville C Hughes 60m; A Shannon for Daly 60m. Referee - Maggie Farrelly (Cavan).