The dangerous Howlett broke through the gallant Gaelcoláiste na Mara defence and calmly fired high to the net midway through the second period of extra-time to give the Wexford school the cup as they advanced to an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Coláiste Eamann Rís, Cork in September.
The beauty of these FAI Leinster soccer finals is they can throw up some novel pairings and grouping ‘smaller schools’ into a tournament by themselves really gives the likes of Ramsgrange and Gaelcoláiste na Mara a chance to shine.
And shine both did on a fantastic afternoon of football in Enniscorthy. This was a tight game played between two sides who gave it their absolute all for 70 minutes and both sets of girls did their schools proud.
On a warm afternoon, the heat really took its toll but there was never a minute that anyone threw in the towel, with Gaelcoláiste battling right to the final minute, looking to find a way back into the game.
In the end there was little doubt that the better team won. They dominated the football, they spent periods camped in the Gaelcoláiste half and created several good chances over the course of the game.
However, considering the pressure they were under, the Arklow girls did a fantastic job defensively from start to finish. Weaker teams would have folded under the pressure but they showed just why they will have every chance or returning to finals as they move up the age-groups with a hugely gutsy display.
It was tough for Ramsgrange to break through despite the excellent football they were playing. They had chances, Laura Murphy, Áine McWilliams and Faye Kavanagh all had good chances to get a goal before it arrived late on but no chance was ever easy.
Gaelcoláiste had a goalkeeper in Carragh Nic Tuathail who was at the very top of her game, she dominated the area, in the way any top sweeper-keeper would operate. Ahead of her Éireann Ni Raghlaigh and Karla Nic Réamoinn were outstanding in marshaling the defence.
Chances were hard to come by for Gealcoláiste na Mara but they did have a couple of dangerous free-kicks. Katie Nuzum took on those opportunities and went close, on another day one may have sailed into the back of the net but it wasn’t to be in this contest.
In the end it took a fantastic goal by Howlett to break the Gaelcoláiste na Mara resolve, with Ramsgrange in the strange position of having to wait until the new school year to complete their search for a national title.
Ramsgrange Community School: Abby Bryson; Orlaith Burke, Anna Mason Hogan, Aine Murray, Nadine Keron, Aine McWilliams, Laura Murphy, Isabella Butler, Sophie Donnelly, Doireann Howlett, Holly Foley. Subs. – Roisin Doyle for Donnelly, Faye Kavanagh for Foley, Anna Mulcahy for Keron, Maya Shannon for Mason Hogan, also, Brooke Dunning, Saoirse Keating, Ciara O’Leary, Lillie Purcell, Isabelle Aspel, Leona Nolan. Management: Hayley Miller, William Gillard, Laura Cullen.
Gaelcoláiste Na Mara Arklow: Carragh Nic Tuathail; Olivia Wilkinson, Emily Ruth Ni Siadhail, Karla Nic Réamoinn, Éireann Ni Raghallaigh, Layla Dixon, Saoirse Ni Éilí, Katie Nuzum, Kate Nic Oireachtaigh, Kayleigh Ní Chatháin, Meabh Ni Raghallaigh. Subs. – Chloe Ni Laoire, Caoilainn Nic Mánais, Niamh Nic Amhalaidh, Rubh Seoighe, April Ni Dhonnchú, Éabha Pippet. Mentor: Erin Leggett.
