Great start for College girls

The College side provided a superb team performance all over the pitch, proving dangerous right from the start. Possession was dominated by the home team, but Armagh Royal were useful on the break.

A decisive tackle made by Chloe McCann in the eighth minute found Kathryn Edgar with a reverse stick pass, who confidently slotted the ball past the stranded Armagh keeper. In the seventeenth minute, a similar scenario unfolded, although this time Chloe found Julie Morrow, who showed great commitment in finding the back of the net with a diving strike.

Despite the two nil scoreline, Armagh had been very strong at the back, capable of a quick counter-attack, but this was matched by the Lurgan college defensive unit of Serena Barr, Jill Costley, Alex Hurst, Shannon Davidson, Louise McKitterick and Katie Allen, who let very little through, meaning keeper Naomi Costley had a relatively quiet game.

The scoreline remained two nil up until half time, but a number of positional changes by the College side created confusion in the Armagh defence. Alex Hurst, who moved to midfield caused problems for Armagh with her piercing runs, on the back of which, two goals were scored by Chloe McCann and Kathryn Edgar.

Hannah Grieve led the midfield, controlling the pace of play with her distribution of the ball for forwards Ellen Mullen and Gemma McKitterick, who were tireless in their running.

In the final five minutes of play, Serena Barr went on the attack, and in a beautiful display of the early passing game, quickly found Louise McKitterick, who then passed to Bethany Barr. Bethany picked out Chloe McCann with an inch perfect pass who had created a one on one situation with the Armagh keeper, to make no doubt about the fifth and final goal, leaving the scoreline 5-0.

The College team thoroughly deserved this decisive victory after displaying such teamwork and communication all over the pitch. On Wednesday the College 1st and 2nd XI will be in action against Scottish school Kilgraston College who are on tour here. Matches start at 3.30pm at Lurgan Junior High School.

The teams have no matches this Saturday due to the Under 16 and under 18 Interprovincials, taking place in Dublin.