Illistrin FC made home advantage count in this league cup semi-final as they put in a terrific first half performance to secure a place in next week’s Dessie Kelly Cup final.
Illistrin FC 9 Raphoe Town 1
Illistrin produced some great football against a spirited and determined Raphoe team.
Jodie McFadden completed a great hat-trick in the first 20 minutes to put Illistin in a great position.
Her first arrived in the 10th minute when her speculative shot made it past Raphoe ‘keeper Abbie McKnight who had previously pulled off some fine saves.
The second arrived five minutes later when McFadden slipped the ball into the near post after good work from Maria Kealy.
McFadden got her third in the 20th minute and this was the pick of her goals as she blasted to the net from the edge of the box after a great through ball by Aislinn Coll.
Raphoe almost pulled one back when the tricky Codie Walsh released Abigail Temple-Asokuh but Aoibhin Randles was quick of her line to produce a fine save.
Randles had a fine game after Illistrin’s regular U16 keeper and captain Orla Corry unfortunately failed a fitness test prior to the match.
Illistrin’s defence was well tested but Megan McDaid, Emily Irwin, Darcey Kelly, and Aobha Harrigan were playing well as a unit.
Erika Gallagher produced a great run through the heart of the Raphoe defence before finishing neatly to the net.
Moments later a great corner from Aislinn Coll was volleyed home instinctively by Gallagher, this time from close range.
A fabulous cross-field pass from Rebekah McGlinchey split the Raphoe defence and the lively Sarah McGinley took the ball in her stride before striking home with authority.
To their credit Raphoe kept playing some good football but on the stroke of halftime Nicole McDaid curled a great shot to the top corner from the edge of the box after a great cross from McGinley.
At the start of the second half these two combined well again as McDaid made a great run from her own box to the other box before supplying a great cross for McGinley who finished bravely despite the best efforts of McKnight.
Cora McBride made some great tackles for Raphoe and Rebecca McColgan showed some great skills in midfield.
Codie Walsh made another great run to the end line and her cross was well finished by young Ella McHugh for a well deserved consolation goal for Raphoe. Maria Kealy was exceptional throughout for Illistrin and Meabh Devenney and Katelyn Doherty did well in the second half.
Referee: Marty McCauley.
