Codd’s golden brace wins the final for Bohs
Bohemians team celebrate winning the Under 14A Cup Final.
Two Lily Codd goals in a five minute first half spell and a wonder strike from Kayliegh O Neill in the 70th minute saw Bohemians land the 14A Cup Final after a pulsating encounter between two evenly matched sides.
The opening minute saw Dungarvan carve out the first chance when Kate Mannix shot on the turn missed the target. It was the city side who struck first however on eight minutes. Sophie Whittle's corner landed in the 6 yard box and Codd was quickest to react pouncing from close range.
Dungarvan came agonisingly close to equalising immediately after Leah Fennell's incisive ball down the left put through Hallinan but her effort across the body of Ferguson shaved the post. Bohs were to capitalise on that missed opportunity on 13 minutes Saoirse Ferguson played a defence splitting pass for Codd to get onto and she made no mistake rolling the ball past Fraher into the net.
Whittle's corners continued to cause Dungarvan problems as two in succession produced scrambles which their defence cleared. With 31 minutes gone Dungarvan got their way back into the tie thanks to a superb Hallinan finish.
A quick counter attack after dispossessing Bohs saw the ball find Hallinan out wide on the left who cut inside and from an acute angle fired an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.
On 49 minutes Bohs thought they doubled their lead when good work down their right hand side saw Kavanagh send over a cross that Saoirse Ferguson met at the near post to touch home but the flag was raised for offside.
Desmond was next to test Fraher but the keeper was down quickly to save. On 53 minutes O Neill split the Dungarvan defence to put Codd through but although her shot got past Fraher a covering defender cleared their lines.
Fennell's incisive pass behind the Bohs defence put Mannix in a one on race with Ferguson and it was the keeper who came out on top by collecting at the feet of Mannix. Codd thought she had claimed her hat trick on 66 minutes but her effort beat Fraher but narrowly missed the target.
With time running out Dungarvan were awarded a free kick out on their right wing, Hallinan sent in a powerful shot that looked destined for the net but Ferguson saved superbly to keep her side ahead.
It was left to O Neill - who was selected as Player of the Match by the match officials - to have the final word when she scored with a sublime goal from the edge of the box that gave Fraher no chance.
Orla Ferguson, Poppy Chapman, Katie Nolan, Aine Desmond, Clara Cullinane, Sophie Whittle, Bella Doyle, Kayleigh O’Neill, Clodagh Kavanagh, Lily Codd, Saoirse Ferguson, Hollie Payne, Grace Cooney, Grace O’Sullivan, Kate Deegan.
Emily Fraher, Abbie Casey, Saorla Sexton, Alex Gaffney, Thea Burden, Aoibh Ann Kiely, Niamh Kirwan, Leah Fennell, Kate Mannix, Alicia Radley, Ruby Hallinan, Emily Cullinane, Ruth Walsh, Grace Walsh.
John Burke assisted by Owen Simms and Adam Walsh.
