Release Date: 24/06/2010

HOLY Cross College from Strabane became the first County Tyrone team to win the coveted under 15 Carnegie Schools’ Cup on Tuesday at the Billy Neill Soccer Centre of Excellence, Dundonald.

After disposing of last year’s under 15 Carnegie champions Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock in the semi-finals courtesy of goals from Lauren Brennan and Zara O’Hagan, Holy Cross faced a strong Coleraine High School team in the final. Holy Cross dominated the final from kick-off and three goals in quick succession by Laura McSorley, Maria Quinn and Zara O’Hagan ensured victory for the Strabane school.

Speaking after the competition PE teacher Gerard Boyle said: “The staff and pupils of Holy Cross College Strabane really enjoyed their participation in the Carnegie Cup as competitions like this present a great opportunity for girls to develop physically and socially and are a welcome addition to their overall education. This achievement will live long in the memories of all who participated and the experience will stand them in good stead in later life.

"The Irish FA did an excellent job of organising this event and we would like to congratulate them on their continued support and development of girls football within schools.”

Organiser of the event, IFA Women’s Football Assistant Jackie Blyth added: “This is an exciting victory for Holy Cross College and is testimony to the hard work that is going on in the Strabane area within Holy Cross College and also the local girls club Sion Swifts. Over 90 teams from throughout the province took part in the qualifying heats of this competition and for Holy Cross to win the title is a tremendous achievement.”

The Carnegie Schools’ National Finals are the pinnacle of the schools’ football programme and comprise of seven qualifying regional heats at under 13 and under 15 levels. In the under 15 section eight teams competed in Tuesday’s National Finals: Clounagh High, Friends’ School, Thornhill College, St Rose’s High, Coleraine High, Devenish College and last year’s champions Our Lady and St Patrick’s College (Knock).

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