Bonagee beaten by impressive Terenure in Amateur Cup final

Full-Time: Bonagee Utd 1-6Terenure Rangers

Terenure Rangers proved too strong for Bonagee Utd in the Women’s Amateur Cup Final at Eamonn Deasy Park in Galway. 

They were 2-0 up in the first quarter and led 4-1 at half-time, and from there went on to control the match and take the title. 

To their credit, Bonagee never gave up but on the day were well beaten by much stronger opponents. 

The game produced a lively opening ten months with both teams keen to get forward and attempt to create chances. 

Leanne Payne was looking dangerous for Terenure on the right wing, firing in some very good crosses and Sarah Ryan should have scored in the third minute but didn’t get enough on the ball on the six yard line. Payne went close in the 13th minute, her cross cum shot just flying past the post. The Dubliners took the lead in the 17th minute, Payne finding Ruth Comerford just outside the box and she fired a low shot in the corner of the net. 

Six minutes later it was 2-0, Catherine Grier was adjudged to have fouled Jenny Claffey and a penalty was awarded, Ruth Comerford converted. Bonagee hit back five minutes later, Bronagh Gallagher was fouled in the box by Ciara Smith and the striker converted from the spot to get her team back in the game. 

However it didn’t last long as Terenure hit back almost immediately, the impressive Leanne Payne cutting inside in the box and firing past Catherine Fletcher to make it 3-1 to the Dublin side. 

In the 42nd Sarah Ryan hit the post but a minute later she pounced on a poor clearance by Bonagee and smashed a super rising shot to the top corner to make it 4-1 and Bonagee with a mountain to climb to get back into this final. 

Eleven minutes into the second-half it was 5-1, Niamh Geraghty’s long kick-out cleared the Bonagee defence and Sarah Ryan slid home her second goal. Four minutes later Ruth Comerford went one better when she was sent clear to complete her hat-trick and make it 6-1 to Terenure Rangers. Not surprisingly the game fizzled out a bit after this and both teams took the opportunity to clear their benches and give squad members a run-out in the final. 

Despite the defeat Chris McNulty, his Management team and full squad of players can take great pride in their performance in this competition and continued progress as a club. 

They can now look forward to another big cup game against Sligo Rovers Women’s team in the FAI Women’s Cup in a few weeks’ time. 

Bonagee United: Catherine Fletcher, Eva Harvey, Zara Short, Eimear Sweeney, Catherine Grier, Siobhan Sweeney, Natalie McFadden, Ciana Brogan, Caoimhin Herron, Bronagh Gallagher, Amanda Callaghan. Subs used ; Caitlin Fletcher, Deborah Kerrigan, Judy McCloy, 

Terenure Rangers Niamh Geraghty, Ciara Smith, Leanne Dicker, Jess Hunt, Melissa Haughton, Paula Doran, Niamh Carroll, Jenny Claffey, Leeann Payne, Ruth Comerford, Sarah Ryan. 

Subs used ; Jess Turner, Kerri Pedley, Chelsea Rigley, Rebecca Dowling, Louise Gleason, 

Referee ; Eddie Darcy.