Holycross crowned North Tipp Women’s Cup winners

SOCCER: North Tipperary Women's Cup Final

Holycross 4

Killavilla United 1

Report & Photos by Gary Culbert at Fennell Park, Templemore

There was a big crowd in attendance on Sunday afternoon in Michael Fennell Park, Templemore to witness Holycross comprehensively defeat Killavilla United in the North Tipperary Women's Cup Final.

The sun was shining, and conditions were perfect as Killavilla pressed high early on, pinning Holycross in when they tried to play out from the back. Villa had the better of the opening ten minutes, before Holycross started to create and get their passing game going in midfield and getting a couple of shots away at Caitlin Russell in the Villa goal, but the keeper dealt well with the efforts.

The pace of Nicole Brooks was Killavilla’s biggest threat in the first half, whilst Tara Nolan was doing a good job at winning her headers and midfield duals. Villa went close with a Niamh Moloney header at the back post following a corner, before Holycross had an even better chance from a corner of their own which caused chaos in the Villa box.

This uncertainty in their own box raised its head again shortly after and Villa found themselves a goal down in the 23rd minute when a mix-up between goalkeeper Caitlin Russell and a retreating defender saw Holycross attacker Elana McGrath take no prisoners before ruthlessly finishing into the empty net.

This goal was entirely avoidable; it all came from a fairly harmless ball over the top and there were multiple opportunities to clear the danger before the ball ever reached the luckless keeper.

For Holycross, this was exactly what was needed, and they went on to dominate until the interval, which culminated in Miah Bourke doubling the lead via a half volley down the inside left channel following a Sarah Quinlan cross.

As the second half got under way, everyone knew that the next goal would be crucial and it came from the boot of Holycross’ Leanna Coppinger, at the back post following a rapid counter-attack involving Abby Challen and Sarah Quinlan.

Three soon became four as Elana McGrath got her second goal with twelve minutes remaining.

Killavilla kept fighting and got their goal in the dying minutes from Ellen Wright, at the second time of asking.

Holycross were hungrier and stronger on the day, and never looked back after getting their noses in front.

Chloe Shorley picked up the Player of the Match award, just ahead of a fine performance from Sarah Quinlan, who was a constant threat on the wing.

Player of the Match: Chloe Shorley (Holycross)

Holycross: Roisin Dwan; Aoife O’Reilly, Hazel Ryan, Sarah Bell, Ellen Maher; Chloe Shorley, Sarah Quinlan, Missy Condon; Elana McGrath, Lily Ryan, Miah Bourke.

Subs used: Leanna Coppinger, Abby Challen, Emma Spillane, Jody Ryan, Margaret Keane, Niamh O’Regan.

Killavilla United: Caitlin Russell; Ella Brussels, Niamh O’Brien, Tara Nolan, Abi Vozza; Sheoladh Dynan, Aine Dooley, Abby Martin, Khya Lynch; Nicola Brooks, Niamh Moloney.

Subs used: Laura Spencer, Ellen Wright, Carly Wright, Ava Delaney, Shauna Daly Morgan, Katie Shanahan, Karina Hickey.

Referee: Mark Greene.