Benfica produce dominant display to land the double
SHERIDAN SIGNS WOMEN'S CUP FINAL
TRAMORE 0
BENFICA 3
JESSICA DEVEREUX 24, 63, RACHEL HUTCHINSON 71
Jessica Devereux was the two goal hero as Benfica's dominance of the local senior scene continued as they put in a dominant display on the main RSC pitch on Sunday to add the Cup to the League to make it a memorable double for the club.
Benfica were quick to take control of the opening proceedings with Lisa Dower in midfield central to Benfica's attacks. it was Dower who fashioned the first chance of the match on eight minutes when her free kick flashed just wide of the post. Another Dower free kick from the left found Shauna Wall and her header brought out a brilliant fingertip save from Brennan to push over the crossbar. Dower's presence down the left continued to cause Tramore problems as she beat two platers before cutting inside and her low drive brought out another good save from Brennan.
On twenty four minutes the goal that Benfica had strove for finally arrived. Cullen cut in from the Benfica left and her measured pass found Devereux on the right and her left footed shot curled past Brennan to nestle in the corner of the net. On the half hour mark Benfica had a golden opportunity o increase their lead when O Donoghue and Dower combined down the left wing with Dower's dangerous cross reaching Cullen in the six yard box but Brennan was alert to the danger. Tramore's first real opportunity of the final wasn't created until the thirty eight minute when a blocked clearance fell in to the path of Bennett but with only Kelly to beat her effort was just wide of the target. With the half time whistle fast approaching Brennan again came to the rescue of Tramore when she made a superb save from Dower's shot.
With fifty two minutes on the clock Saoirse O Brien's blistering drive saw Kelly make a fingertip save to see the ball clear the cross bar. With the cup still in the balance the crucial second goal was scored on sixty three minutes when Jessica Devereux scored a spectacular gaol from distance to give her side a two goal cushion. Benfica made the game safe on seventy one minutes with their third goal. Awarded a free kick on the right hand edge of the box after a foul on Devereux, Hutchinson saw her effort fly into the top corner despite the best efforts of O Brien to head the ball clear. The final chance of the game saw Brennan save bravely at the feet of Conroy in the nineth minute with the final whistle shortly afterwards signalling an historic double for the city side.
Tramore: Brennan, Broxson, Sheridan, Power, Bennett, Flynn, Koomson, Britt, O Toole, O Brien, Larkin. Subs Herterich K, Herterich G, Gannon, O Connor, Mulcahy, Cashin, O Sullivan.
Benfica: Kelly, Wall (Sarah), Stafford, Wall (Shauna), O Donoghue, Cloake, Hamilton, Hutchinson, Dower, Devereux, Cullen. Subs: Hearne, Conroy, Rochford, Shanahan, Clooney, Phelan, Ryan, Ajeti, Holmes.
Referee: Gary Fitzgerald assisted by Luke Brennan and John Falconer
U14A LEAGUE ROUNDUP
Piltown continued their unbeaten start to the season as they defeated Bohs 2-0 at Kildalton Park thanks to two first half goals. Maia Stokes opened the scoring with a long range effort before Vittoria Pascolini doubled their lead after she was left one on one with Orla Ferguson and she made no mistake.
Dungarvan registered their first win of the season as they bounced back from an opening day defeat to beat Tramore 5-0. Ruby Hallinan gave the hosts the lead before Kate Mannix struck a first half double to leave the Seagulls with an uphill battle. Further second half goals from Alicia Radley and Abbie Casey rounded off the scoring. Ballinroad also got back to winning ways as they came out on top at Danes Field with a 3-2 win over Cappoquin Railway.
U14B LEAGUE ROUNDUP
Park Rangers and Villa stay joint top of the table as they both made it two wins from two in the League this campaign. Villa hosted Piltown and Roselyn Grant had given Villa a half time lead before they added to their tally through second half goals from Emily Murphy, Jessie Kelly (2) and Kujundz.
Park Rangers won by an identical scoreline at Portlaw. Elsewhere Southend hit six of the best as they overcame Kilmacthomas 6-1 thanks to goals from Lexi Wall, Emily O Reagan (2) and a hat trick from Holly Roche Murphy.
U14C LEAGUE ROUNDUP
The top three all remain tied at the top of the table after they all maintained their perfect starts to the season. Kilmacow were too strong for Villa as they ran out 5-0 winners with Aoibh Gilmartin on target after eight minutes. Muireann McDonald increased the lead on the twenty minute mark with Penny McQuillan and Erica Russell finding the net before the half time whistle. Zoe Cunningham added to her sides tally in the second period.
Dungarvan made the trip to Carrick and came away with the three points with Éabha Treacy on the scoresheet twice for the Old Borough outfit. At St. Nicholas Park Ballyduff took the spoils as they defeated a resolute Bohs side by 3-0.
