Peamount United and Wexford Youths will contest the 2018 Continental Tyres FAI Women's Cup final after both advanced from tonight’s semi-finals.
Republic of Ireland striker Amber Barrett was the match-winner for Peamount United as they go in search of their first win in the competition since 2010.
Standing in their way of a first victory in eight years will be a Wexford side who were pushed all the way by UCD Waves. Katrina Parrock’s right-footed strike five minutes from time was the only goal of the night at Ferrycarrig Park.
Shelbourne Ladies 1 Peamount United 2
By Paul Buttner
As is ever the case, Amber Barrett provided the winning goal for Peamount United as the Donegal native capped a dominant display by the Newcastle side over Shelbourne at Tolka Park.
Winners of the ladies’ blue riband event in 2010, and last in the decider six years ago, Peamount will play at the Aviva Stadium for the first when they meet Wexford Youths at the Ballsbridge venue on 4 November.
Unchanged from their big 10-1 win over Limerick in the league at the weekend, Peamount started purposefully.
Barrett, full of confidence having scored five goals in that game, needed little invitation to shoot on sight as she rifled the first chance of the game over the top from some 30 yards following Eleanor Ryan Doyle’s flick on 11 minutes in.
And the visitors’ bright start soon brought its reward with the lead goal on 18 minutes.
Megan Smyth-Lynch whipped over Peas’ second corner of the game which was met at the near post by Aine O’Gorman who powered her header past Amanda McQuillan in the Shels’ goal.
Slow to get into the game, Shels didn’t register an effort on target until the half hour, though Malinda Allen’s header from skipper Noelle Murray’s cross was never going to overly trouble Naoisha McAloon in the Peamount goal.
But there was little McAloon could do to prevent a resurgent Shels from levelling on the blow of the break from their first real spell of possession in the game.
Isibeal Atkinson cleverly skipped by the experienced O’Gorman on the left to rifle over a low cross that midfielder Malinda Allen stretched to shoot to the corner of the net.
Referee Paula Brady was having none of Peamount’s appeals when Barrett was sent tumbling in the box under a challenge from Jessica Gleeson seven minutes after the interval.
Barrett, from a free kick, Eleanor Ryan Doyle and O’Gorman had half chances as Peamount got right back on top as the second half wore on.
And their winner, when it arrived on 77 minutes, was no more than James O’Callaghan’s side deserved.
Left-back Lucy McCartan and impressive midfielder Niamh Farrelly were involved in the build up before the ball broke for Barrett.
And the ace striker took a touch before putting her laces through the ball to drill it right-footed to the bottom corner.
The woodwork then deprived Barrett of a second goal on 87 minutes, the international ending a bustling run with a left-foot shot that cannoned down off the underside of the crossbar and out.
Shelbourne Ladies: Amanda McQuillan; Seana Cooke, Jessica Gleeson, Pearl Slattery, Niamh Prior; Rachel Graham; Alannah McEvoy (Kate Mooney 83), Malinda Allen (Alexandra Kavanagh 65), Jamie Flynn, Isibeal Atkinson; Neolle Murray.
Peamount United: Naoisha McAloon; Lauryn O’Callaghan (Niamh Barnes 71), Louise Corrigan, Chloe Moloney, Lucy McCartan; Karen Duggan, Eleanor Ryan Doyle, Niamh Farrelly (Sarah McKevitt 83); Aine O’Gorman, Amber Barrett, Megan Smyth-Lynch (Dearbhaile Beirne 61).
Referee: Paula Brady (Dublin).
Wexford Youths 1-0 UCD Waves
Katrina Parrock broke UCD hearts with just five minutes remaining at Ferrycarrig Park as Wexford Youths are just 90 minutes away from a second FAI Cup in three years.
Fantastic second half performance, super goal from Katrina & a richly deserved trip to the Aviva in Nov. for this great group of players. Thanks to everyone for their great support this evening as always! Safe journey home to everyone from Waves.
— Wexford Youths Women (@YouthsWomen) October 17, 2018
FT @YouthsWomen 1-0 @ucdwaves pic.twitter.com/hlFH7pYGeO
The opening 45 minutes was a cagey affair with few clear-cut chances. Edel Kennedy went close after the quarter hour mark, with her rebounded falling into the path of Parrock who couldn’t keep her effort on target.
In the second half Parrock got the better of UCD goalkeeper Erica Turner, but her effort was disallowed for offside.
Eventually their dominance paid off when Parrock’s shot found the bottom corner of the net.
Wexford Youths: Sophie Lenehan, Nicola Sinnott, Orlaith Conlon, Lauren Dwyer, Becky Cassin, Kylie Murphy (captain), Edel Kennedy, Doireann Fahey, Aisling Frawley, Katrina Parrock, Aoife Slattery.
UCD Waves: Erica Turner (captain), Keelan McEntee, Katie Burdis, Ally O’Keeffe, Roisin McGovern, Sinead Gaynor, Chloe Mustak, Leanne Payne, Naimi Chemaou, Rachel Doyle, Caroline Healy.
Watch live coverage of Peamount United v Wexford Youths 2018 Continental Tyres FAI Women's Cup final on RTÉ 2, 4 November, and follow all the action from the Aviva Stadium via our live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the News Now App.
