There was glory for Illistrin, Lagan Harps and Mulroy Academy at the Donegal Women’s League Under-14 finals day at the Aura Centre.
It was a day when defences and goalkeepers were on top.
Illistrin (above) overcame Finn Valley 1-0 in the Terry Leyden Cup final, Lagan needed extra time to see off Swilly in the Paddy McBride Shield while Mulroy had to endure a nervy penalty shoot-out to get past Raphoe Town in the Rosebowl final.
Donegal Women’s League Chairman Dessie Kelly predicted beforehand that all three games would end scoreless – and he wasn’t far away!
Illistrin and Lagan now meet in the League play-off on Wednesday evening at Leckview Park.
Terry Leyden Cup final
Illistrin FC 1 Finn Valley 0
Rebekah McGlinchey bagged the only goal of the game as Illistrin FC defeated Finn Valley in a cracking Terry Leyden Cup final at the Aura Centre on Saturday.
McGlinchey latched onto a long ball and fired past Caoinhe Brennan to land the silverware for Paddy McDaid’s team, their first Cup win since their entry into the Women’s League.
Moments earlier, Finn Valley goalkeeper Brennan made an excellent penalty save to deny Orla Corry, the Illistrin ‘keeper who stepped up to take the kick. Maria Kealy’s teasing cross from the left hit off a Finn Valley arm and referee Liam McLaughlin pointed to the spot.
When Brennan dived to her left to save from Corry, it seemed as if the game might go the whole way – but McGlinchey had other ideas.
Illistrin saw Jodie McFadden saw an early shot beaten away by Brennan, while Aine Irwin – who had a brilliant game throughout for Finn Valley – stepped in with a brave block on McFadden soon after.
Rachel Lawne, on the Valley left, was causing some trouble for Illistrin, and the lively Cody Walsh, another who did well for Valley, dribbled dangerously into the box but had her advances halted.
As half-time approached, Irwin cut out a cross from McGlinchey.
Brennan brilliantly denied Maria Kealy early in the second half, but at the other end Walsh, after wriggling free on the edge of the area, shot over the top.
A heavy first touch prevented Walsh from getting in on Corry while Ava Dunnion cut out a teasing Illistrin cross as the game ebbed and flowed.
It was a game that, for a time, seemed destined for extra time, but McGlinchey cracked the code to seal the deal.
Illistrin now face Letterkenny Rovers in the U14 League play-off on Wednesday evening in Leckview Park.
Illistrin FC: Orla Corry, Zoe McFadden, Aibhe McDaid, Megan McDaid, Maria Kealy, Erika Gallaghwr, Aobha Gallagher, Marie Rushe, Rebekah McGlinchey, Aislinn Coll, Jodie McFadden. Subs: Nicole McDaid, Ciara Doherty, Leah Afxentiou, Ciara Molloy, Orla Gallagher, Aoibhin Randles.
Finn Valley: Caoimhe Brennan, Rachel Lawne, Aine Irwin, Ava Dunnion, Anna McCauley, Aimee Lafferty, Caoimhe McGlynn, Rebecca McColgan, Abigail Temple-Asokuh, Cody Walsh, Brenda Carr. Subs: Ciara Lawne, Sarah Connaghan, Emma Connaghan, Hanna Gallagher, Shiela McElchar.
Paddy McBride Shield
Lagan Harps 1 Swilly Rovers 0 (after extra time)
Niamh Sweeney was the hero of the hour for Lagan Harps as they edged past Swilly Rovers to claim the Paddy McBride Shield.
Sweeney netted with just 30 seconds of extra time remaining.
Goalkeepers Courtney Gallagher (Lagan) and Ellie Duffy (Swilly) both had fine games and, following a scoreless draw, penalties were looming when Sweeney popped up with the magical touch.
Swilly’s Orlaith Connolly saw an early shot blocked by Niamh Monaghan before Lagan’s Harriett McCrossan riffled just over the top.
Lagan’s Jessica Leese shot white while Erin Doherty thumped a shot against the crossbar.
Duffy thwarted McCrossan, Doherty and Maria Bonner as Lagan turned the screw. Connolly shot at Gallagher, while Lucy Canning shot inches wide.
The on-form Duffy, after saving from Sweeney and Doherty again, was finally beaten by Sweeney in the dying seconds.
Lagan Harps: Courtney Gallagher, Lucy Canning, Niamh Monaghan, Shannon Cunningham, Serena McCrossan, Maria Bonner, Orla McGrath, Erin Doherty, Gaby O’Donnell, Jessica Leese, Harriett McCrossan. Subs: Niamh Sweeney, Emma Gribben.
Swilly Rovers: Ellie Duffy, Emily Irwin, Katie Connolly, Nicola Irwin, Beth McFadden, Katie Duffy, Kelsey McAteer, Heather McLaughlin, Anna McFadden, Chloe Boyce, Orlaith Connolly. Subs: Katelyn Hosford, Katie O’Gorman, Eimear Connolly, Kyra McFadden, Tamara Blaney.
Arena 7 Rosebowl
Mulroy Academy 0 Raphoe Town 0 (after extra time, Mulroy win 3-2 on penalties)
Only penalties could separate Mulroy and Raphoe in a hard-fought Rosebowl final, as Meabh Duffy, the Mulroy netminder, made two saves in the penalty shoot-out to take the prize.
Duffy saved twice from Raphoe penalties while Iseult Ni Mhathuna, Caitlin Heraghty, and Jessica Coll all found the net for Mulroy, who took the silverware.
The game itself had been a real nerve-jangler and both sides had their moments in normal time, but defences largely were on top.
Both sides could have won it, but at the same time will have been quiet content to go for extra time.
Mulroy’s Leah McLaughlin saw a dangerous cross cut out by Raphoe ‘keeper Abbie McKnight, while Megan McLaughlin and Aoife Sweeney helped keep the Mulroy defence in check.
Raphoe could have nicked it late in the day when Ella McHugh broke through, but Duffy made a fine save to keep the sheet clean.
There was time, too, for Jessica Coll at the other end to have a go, but her attempt was blocked and it was left to the dreaded spot kicks to throw up a winner.
Mulroy Academy: Meabh Duffy, Aoife Sweeney, Sopie Gallagher, Dearbhla McDevitt, Megan McLaughlin, Aoife Gibbons, Maria McGee, Allannah Friel, Emma Friel, Muirinn Ni Mhathuna, Iseult Ni Mhathuna. Subs: Jessica Coll, Caitlin Heraghty, Leah McLaughlin, Hannah Gallagher.
Raphoe Town: Abbie McKnight, Tammy Laird, Cora McBride, Sadie Logan, Abbie Lee Bell, Rocha McCullagh, Julie Wilson, Allannah Kee, Marie Sweeney, Shania McMonagle, Ella McHugh. Subs: Kacey Blackburn, Ellie Jamieson.
