LAGAN HARPS ADVANCED to the final of the the FAI Umbro Women’s Under-18 Cup final after overcoming Douglas Hall at Parnell Park.
Lagan Harps 4 Douglas Hall 2
Lagan didn’t get it all there own way as Jade Cox had ball in the net after poor ommunication between Aoife Page and Chantel Kelly with both going for the one ball.
Lagan were level within three minutes when Page made up for her earlier error and slotted a ball through to Amy Boyd who rounded the defender and hit the back of net.
Douglas took the lead again in the 11th minute when Ali McCormick beat Zoe Green on the left to cross to Jade Fox once again from close range.
Neve Scanlon made two great saves as Lagan pushed forward but the breaking ball dropping to Ciara O Keefe who saw the run of Michelle O Driscoll.
After 26 minutes Ciana Brogan started to dominate the centre mid and had a few fine passes out to the left with Amanda Callaghan’s shot well saved by Jess O’Mahony.
Caoimhe Walsh shot nearly dropped through the goalkeeper’s hands and Lagan were close again just two minutes before half-time when Walsh’s cross was fired towards the top corner by Callaghan, but the ‘keeper just about cleared the danger.
Lagan upped the tempo in the second half and restricted Douglas hall to playing long high ball, but Chantelle Kelly and Aoife Page were well in control.
Walsh struck the crossbar, but wouldn’t be denied in the 52nd minute when she riffled home from 25 yards.
After Chantel Kelly got back to make a vital block to deny Eadoin Downey, Brogan went close for Lagan and Bríd McGinty’s team were in front in the 73rd minute.
Aine Deasley and Daniell McDevitt did the groundwork and Callaghan fired home from close range.
Soon after, Page and McDevitt combined to win a corner from which Ciara Duffy headed just over.
Kelly made another telling interception, this time from Maeve O’Sullivan, and Lagan wrapped up the win four minutes from the end when Brogan fed McDevitt, whose cross was converted by Callaghan to confirm Lagan’s place in the final
Lagan Harps: Neve Scanlon, Áine Deasley, Zoe Green, Aoife Page, Chantel Kelly, Danielle McDevitt, Orla Friel, Ciana Brogan, Caoimhe Walsh, Amy Boyd. Subs: Ciara Duffy for Friel (26), Courtney Coyle for Callaghan (82), Bronagh Gallagher for Boyd (84).
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