A SOLITARY GOAL saw Lagan Harps fall to defeat in the WFAI Under-18 Cup final against Castlebar Celtic at McSharry Park in Sligo.
Lagan Harps 0 Castlebar Celtic 1
Lagan started the brightest when a Caoimhe Walsh cross was hit narrowly wide over the bar by the on rushing Orla Friel at the back post.
Lagan had the earlier pressure but it was with 11 minutes gone that the stalemate was broken by the Mayo girls.
A good run down a left by Saoirse Ludden seen her cross come shot hitting the bar leaving keeper Neve Scanlon stranded with no chance and the rebound fell invitingly to Megan Dever who tapped the ball into the Lagan net to make it 1-0 to Castlebar .
Lagan were dealt a major blow on 23 minutes when Amy Boyd was stretchered off after heavy tackle she was replaced by Ciara Duffy who straight into centre midfield which meant Walsh going up top.
Lagan created another golden opportunity on 28 minutes when Ciana Brogan found Walsh but her left footed shot was well saved by Deirbhle Mellotte in the Castlebar goal.
Two minutes later a short corner by Lagan was cleared of the line by Castlebar captain Sarah Baynes.
The second half started and it was Lagan who dominated possession but Castlebar stood firm almost at times playing ten players behind the ball and seeming being happy to sit back and absorb everything that was being thrown at them.
The next best chance was on 78 minutes when an inch perfect ball by Zoe Green found Ciana Brogan but her shot was held by the Castlebar keeper, Deirbhle Mellote just when everyone thought in the ground it was distant for the back of the net, and two minutes later a long ball from Aoife Page found Walsh but her lob over the keeper could only land on the roof the Castlebar net.
With the game closing out it was Castlebar who looked like scoring and a shot from Tara Philips hit the Lagan post , and a further shot by Saoirse Ludden was weld held by Scanlon in Lagan goal.
Lagan Harps: Neve Scalnlon, Aine Dealsey, Zoe Green, Aoife Page, Chantel Kelly, Orla Friel, Amanda Callaghan, Ciana Brogan, Caoimhe Walsh, Amy Boyd, Danielle McDevitt. Subs: Ciara Duffy for Boyd (23), Bronagh Gallagher for Callaghan (70). Unused subs: Courtney Coyle, Alisha Lawrence.
Castlebar Celtic: Deirbbhle Mellotte, Fenna Mc Manamon, Sarah Bayne, Mary O’Kennedy, Eille Dillane, Rachel Baynes, Saoirse Ludden, Tara Philips, Katie Melly, Shauna Golden, Megan Dever. Subs: Ciara Moran for Golden (72), Jennifer Cambers for R Baynes (82).
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