Bonagee Senior Ladies team have made history after reaching the final of the FAI Women’s Amateur Cup.
Bonagee….2. Killester/Donnycarney….1 (after extra-time)
It took extra time but Chris McNulty’s side dug in and overcame a dogged Killester/Donnycarney side at Dry Arch Park this afternoon.
By Charlie Collins at Dry Arch Park
The visitors started well with some good play in the midfield and forward areas.
Bonagee took a little time to settle and when they did created two excellent opportunities, both falling to Bronagh Gallagher.
In the 9th minute the striker cut in from left side, beat two defenders but her shot was just wide of the far post.
Four minutes later Gallagher raced clear onto a through ball and was one to one with keeper Shauna Whelan, the net minder just able to deflect the ball out for a corner, a good save by her but a big chance for Bonagee.
After a period of no clear cut chances at either end the visitors took the lead in the 34th minute.
They created some good pressure and a build up down the right Alix McNally’s was only headed out to the end of the box and Naomi Flynn’s volley proved too powerful for Roisin McCafferty, the keeper getting hands to it but unable to keep it out.
It reminded 0-1 at the break .
Bonagee started the second-half very well, dominating possession and looking dangerous going forward.
They were rewarded in the 54th minute when a good build up created a shooting opportunity for team captain Ciara Brogan and she drilled a super low drive to the bottom corner from 25 yards, an excellent finish, 1-1.
Killester-Donnycarney responded well with a period of pressure, forcing a fine save from McCafferty following good play by Carroll and Walsh to deny the inrushing Laura Chambers.
The visitors had the better of things after this but a poor final pass and some erratic shooting, on occasions from very good positions let them down.
They had a big chance in the 88th minute when Roisin McCafferty was adjudged to have picked up a back-pass but Laura Chambers blasted it wide.
A minute later Bronagh Gallagher should have won it for Bonagee when Caoimhin Herron put her through but she sliced her shot badly wide with only the keeper to beat and we were heading for extra-time.
The first real chance came for the visitors in the 8th minute when sub Laura Donnelly headed just over from a corner on the right.
Neither team could find the energy to create a real opening in the second period of extra -time and penalties looked certain but then two Bonagee substitutes combined to give them the lead and the victory.
Deborah Kerrigan crossed from the left , a defender misjudged it and Caitlin Fletcher blasted to the net , a super finish and a place in the National Final for Bonagee Utd ladies.
Bonagee United: McCafferty, Eva Harvey , Zara Short ( Caitlin Hume 77mins) , Amy Thompson ( Deborah Kerrigan 77mins), Catherine Grier , Siobhan Sweeney, Eimear Sweeney , Ciana Brogan , Caoimhin Herron ( Caitlin Fletcher 101mins), Bronagh Gallagher, Amanda Callaghan.
KILLESTER-DONNYCARNEY: Shauna Whelan , Katrina Lawless, Lyndsey Carroll , Shauna Lyndon , Natalie Walsh, Sarah Murray, Alix McNally , Niamh Henessey ( Martina Warren ( 90mins), Laura Chambers ( Laura Donnelly (95mins), Katherine Meaney ( Simmone Riley 82mins), Naomi Flynn. Referee; Terence Moyne .
