Dungarvan United retain Women's Cup in style
Dungarvan captain Aimee Jordan receives the cup from Lynne Casey, WDWSL
Orla Hickey 21, Hayley Phelan 39, Alannah Kirwan 40, 58, Ella Casey 50
Dungarvan United underlined their status as one of the dominant forces in the local women's game as they retained the Women's Cup with a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Bohemians at Ozier Park on Sunday.
While the final scoreline ultimately reflected Dungarvan's superiority, Bohemians battled bravely throughout and remained firmly in contention until two goals in the closing stages of the first half swung the contest decisively in favour of the Old Borough outfit.
Dungarvan entered the decider with a wealth of experience and they showed their intent from the opening exchanges. It took just a few minutes for them to create their first clear opening when Orla Hickey raced through on goal, only to be denied by an excellent save from Jessica Volden. The Bohemians goalkeeper reacted sharply, diving low to her right to keep her side on level terms.
The cup holders continued to dominate possession and territory and another opportunity arrived on 17 minutes. Kaylynn Broxson threaded a clever pass through the defence for Hayley Phelan, but the striker was unable to keep her effort on target as Bohemians survived another scare.
Despite the early pressure, Bohemians remained organised and resilient, making life difficult for their more experienced opponents. However, their resistance was finally broken in the 21st minute. Alannah Kirwan found Hickey in space on the edge of the penalty area and the attacker did the rest, turning smartly away from her marker before slotting a composed finish beyond the advancing Volden to put Dungarvan in front.
The goal only increased Dungarvan's confidence and they threatened repeatedly to extend their lead. Phelan was unable to capitalise after another incisive pass from Kirwan, while Hickey saw a close-range effort brilliantly saved by Volden, who was keeping Bohemians in the contest with a string of important interventions.
For much of the first half Bohemians worked tirelessly and looked set to reach the interval trailing by only a single goal. Unfortunately for them, the game changed dramatically in the closing minutes of the half as Dungarvan struck twice in little over a minute.
The second goal arrived in the 39th minute and owed much to the vision of Broxson. Spotting a run behind the defence, she delivered a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Phelan. The striker showed tremendous composure, taking the ball in her stride before rifling a powerful effort beyond the diving Volden and into the bottom corner.
Before Bohemians had time to regroup, Dungarvan struck again. Good combination play down the left flank created space for Ciara Fennell and her pass found Kirwan in a dangerous position. Kirwan wasted no time, meeting the ball first time and firing past Volden to make it 3-0 and leave Dungarvan firmly in control at the break.
To their credit, Bohemians emerged for the second half determined to make a contest of it and they enjoyed a positive spell in the early stages. However, any realistic hopes of a comeback were extinguished on 50 minutes by a moment of individual brilliance from Ella Casey.
Collecting possession on the left wing, Casey drove infield before unleashing a spectacular strike that flew beyond Volden and into the far corner. It was a goal worthy of any final and one that effectively ended the contest as a competitive spectacle.
Bohemians attempted to respond and created their best chance of the afternoon just two minutes later. Zoey Croke's effort dropped kindly for Myah Murphy inside the area, but she was unable to direct her finish on target as the opportunity went begging.
Throughout the second half Dungarvan continued to look dangerous, particularly through the influential trio of Eimear Fennell, Kirwan and Hickey. Their movement and link-up play caused constant problems for the Bohemians defence, while the midfield continued to dictate the tempo of the game.
Hickey came close to adding her second goal when she struck the upright with a well-taken effort. The forward was proving a constant menace and only a combination of bad luck and determined defending prevented her from adding further goals to her tally.
Dungarvan eventually got the fifth goal their performance deserved shortly before the hour mark. Unsurprisingly, Kirwan was again at the heart of the move. Having already contributed a goal and an assist, she added her second score of the afternoon with a thunderous strike from outside the penalty area that left Volden helpless.
The cup holders continued to create chances thereafter. Hickey looked certain to score on another occasion when she beat the goalkeeper, only for Martha de Paor to get a crucial touch and divert the effort behind. De Paor was one of Bohemians' standout performers and battled gamely throughout against a relentless Dungarvan attack.
Despite facing a heavy defeat, Bohemians refused to surrender and their efforts were rewarded five minutes from time. Tam Roche broke through on goal and was brought down inside the area, leaving referee Owen Tubbritt with little option but to point to the penalty spot.
Sophie Shanahan took responsibility for the spot kick and showed excellent composure, placing her effort beyond substitute goalkeeper Shonagh Radley to give her side a deserved consolation goal.
By the final whistle there was little doubt about the destination of the trophy. Dungarvan's quality, attacking threat and big-game experience proved decisive as they secured cup success once again with a polished and professional display.
Attention now turns to league matters, with Dungarvan facing a massive midweek showdown against rivals Benfica at Kilrush Park. The Blues know that only victory in their final league fixture of the campaign will prevent Benfica from reclaiming the league title that Dungarvan wrestled from them last season. On the evidence of this performance, however, they will head into that encounter full of confidence and determined to complete another memorable chapter in an already outstanding season.
Aimee Jordan, Aisling Farrell, Ella Casey, Ciara Hurley, Katie Hannon, Kaylynn Broxson, Ciara Fennell, Alannah Kirwan, Hayley Phelan, Orla Hickey, Eimear Fennell. Subs: Rebecca Hogan, Stacey Keohan, Kate Hamblen, Shonagh Radley, Kate Cullinane.
Jessica Volden, Martha de Paor, Diana Koomson, Emily O'Reilly, Saoirse O'Brien, Hope Halligan, Myah Murphy, Ali O'Toole, Zoey Croke, Nicole McCarthy, Ann O'Toole. Subs: Sophie Shanahan, Holly Butler, Tam Roche, Fiona Tamen Ngogan, Vivienne Rafter.
Owen Tubbritt, assisted by Stuart Kennedy and Rikky Fletcher.
