McBride hat-trick gives Illistrin success in Dessie Kelly Cup final

Sinead McBride netted a hat-trick as Illistrin came from behind to defeat Mulroy Academy in the Dessie Kelly Under-16 Cup final at Leckview Park.

Illistrin 5 Mulroy Academy 1

by Chris McNulty at Leckview Park

Iseult Ní Mhauthuna had put Mulroy into a seventh minute lead, but McBride levelled direct from a corner and Illistrin pulled away in the second half.

Just four minutes into the second half, McBride drilled home to put Illistrin ahead for the first time in the game.

And McBride doubled her lead and the Illistrin advantage three minutes later, deceiving Meadbh Duffy, the Mulroy goalkeeper.

Jodie McFadden made it 4-1 midway through the second half, a superb strike from 25 yards flying beyond the helpless Duffy for the goal of the night.

Four minutes from the end, McBride’s hat-trick was completed and Illistrin could ready the celebrations. McBride tucked home a clinical goal to finish the scoring and cap off a fine display from the Illistrin striker.

It had been Mulroy who drew the first bloody, Ní Mhauthuna weaving through and, though Orla Corry got her hand to the shot, she was powerless to stop it going in.

But, seven minutes later, Illistrin were level when McBride’s corner deceived everyone in a crowded penalty area, including Duffy.

McFadden and Erica Gallagher tried their luck for Illistrin, but were just off target. 

Gallagher went close again from 20 yards, but her effort rose too high.

Just before half-time, Illistrin almost caught Mulroy with a swift counter-attack, but McBride’s shot was into Duffy’s midriff. 

Illistrin: Orla Corry, Alisha Tobin, Aibhe McDaid, Rebekah McGlinchey, Jade Stewart, Ciara Doherty, Megan McDaid, Aislinn Coll, Sinead McBride, Jodie McFadden, Erika Gallagher. Subs: Nicole McDaid, Aobha Harrigan, Aoibhin Randles, Zoe McFadden, Maria Kealy, Laura Molloy.

Mulroy Academy: Meadbh Duffy, Aoife Sweeney, Eibhlín Shiels, Dearbhla McDevitt, Eimear Sweeney, Caitlin Heraghty, Caoimhne Herron, Iseult Ní Mhauthuna, Lisa Dugera, Maria Doherty, Lauren McBride. Subs: Leah McLoughlin, Alannah Friel, Muireann Ní Mhauthuna, Jessica Coll, Hannah Logue, Megan McLoughlin.

Referee: Marty Quinn.