Ballymackey Ladies progress in FAI Junior Cup
Ballymackey Women had an early start on Sunday as they travelled to the Limerick/Cork border to take on Limerick Desmond League side Broadford United in the FAI Amateur Shield.
The home side started well and the Ballymackey defence had to scramble on a few occasions to keep the game scoreless. Ballymackey gained their composure after fifteen minutes and started to create chances, Christine O’Keeffe quickest to a breaking ball in the six-yard box following a corner and she steered the ball home for the opening goal.
Ballymackey were getting into their stride and Aoibhin Delaney rode a tackle 25 yards out to get into a yard of space and struck a great effort into the top corner giving the home keeper no chance.
Ballymackey made a slight tweak to their set-up, and this allowed them to really get on top of the game. Joanne O’Brien went close, meeting Amber DeLewis' right wing cross but saw her effort come back off the crossbar.
The Broadford keeper made a great save from DeLewis in a one-v-one situation and with five minutes left in the half Ballymackey pushed three clear; Chloe McAuliffe showed great composure to step out of defence with the ball and she released Allison McDonnell in behind, showing great strength to hold off a defender and finished well past the outcoming goalkeeper.
The second half did not reach the intensity of the first half, the best of Ballymackey’s chances fell to Chloe Whyte but the keeper did well to get a hand on her shot and turn the ball onto the post.
Ballymackey probably eased up too soon and Broadford were given some hope with free kick goal with ten minutes remaining.
The visitors saw the game out relatively well from there, though Broadford did grab a second goal right on full time.
Not a complete ninety-minute performance from Ballymackey but a good win in a game where the opportunity was given to some fresh faces to stake a claim for inclusion in next weekends Combined Counties Women's Cup semi-final. U17 player April Slevin played her first senior game of the season and U17 goalkeeper Ava O’Rourke showed her versatility with a cameo out the pitch.
Captain Lisa Toohey made a welcome return to the team, Christine O’Keeffe's workrate was impressive, Nicole Ryan was excellent, particularly at wing back and player of the match Amber DeLewis oozed quality throughout.
Ballymackey move onto the next round of the FAI Shield where they are at home to Peake Villa. Next weekend it's another big occasion as Ballymackey welcome Bealnamulla to Ballinree for the semi-final of the CCFL Cup.