SHANIA MCGONIGLE and Leah McGonagle netted the first-half goals that fired the Inishowen Ladies League into the WFAI Under-18 Inter-League Cup final yesterday.
Inishowen Ladies League 2 Cork Ladies League 0
Played in warm sunny conditions at the AUL complex in Dublin, Inishowen qualified for final by virtue of a well-deserved win.
Inishowen dominated possession for long periods but always had to be on their guard as Cork played on the break.
In the opening minute Lauren Cregan fed Shania McGonigle on the right and her deep cross just eluded Aisling McGuinness at the back post.
[adrotate group=”37″]A Nicole Gordon cross into the area was volleyed over by Cregan before Niamh McDaid released McGuinness on the left and her cross was flicked goalwards by McGonigle but well gathered by Niamh Ryan in the Cork goal.
Inishowen kept pressing and when Shania McGonigle fed Leah McGonagle, ‘keeper Ryan smothered well at her feet.
The breakthrough arrived on 34 minutes when brilliant footwork by Shania McGonigle took her past three tackles in a central position before she fired high past Ryan from sixteen yards.
On 44 minutes it became two-nil when Alison McGonigle fed Niamh McLaughlin who advanced on the left and played a ball over the top for Leah McGonagle who rounded Ryan and despite being under severe pressure she managed to fire the ball home from 15 yards.
Inishowen almost conceded on the stroke of half time when Jenny Nagel raced onto a ball over the top but Aoife McColgan advanced to block and recovered to grab the loose ball.
Inishowen kept pressing in the second half but had fewer chances.
On 55 minutes a great run and cross from the left by McGuinness saw Leah McGonagle volley wide before a brilliant run from the back by Gordon saw her link well with McGonagle but her shot was turned behind by Ryan.
Cork were pushing hard but found Clare Doherty and Rachel McLaughlin in commanding form at the back and they failed to create any clear chances.
[adrotate group=”62″]On 70 minutes Niamh McLaughlin fed McGuinness on the left and her superb cross was almost turned in by substitute Ella McLaughlin.
Cork responded and when the ball was not properly cleared Nagel fired over the bar from 20 yards.
Inishowen almost added a third on the stroke of full time when three substitutes combined with Andrea Kelly feeding Kate McClenaghan who found Mary Jane Doherty. Doherty side-stepped two defenders and unleashed a powerful effort which crashed off the right hand post.
A superb performance all round from Inishowen and they now face the strength of the Metropolitan Girls League in the final after recording wins over Mayo, Donegal, Galway and Cork to get to the final.
A highlight of the game was an outrageous piece of skill from centre-half Nicole Gordon which was a joy to see. Inishowen now wait to find out the date of the final.
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