Munster Junior Womens’ Cup Final
Dungarvan United 2
Benfica 0
Cathal Dowd at the RSC
Dungarvan United became Munster champions again by overcoming Waterford rivals Benfica 2-0 at the RSC today.
Lilly Magill bagged twice to give Dungarvan United their second Munster title in three years.
A large crowd gathered to witness the first time two Waterford sides have met in the Women’s Junior Munster Cup final, as last years runners up Benfica tried to go one better this time against the 2023 winners Dungarvan.
Those in attendance were treated to a thrilling game and a superb Dungarvan showing.
On a humid day at the RSC, where the intense sunshine of the weekend had subsided, the heat was still a major factor as both sides came flying out of the blocks.
An early drive by Maria Delahunty, after a short corner routine gave her an opening on the edge of the box, stung the palms of Benfica keeper Sally Kelly but was gathered at the second time of asking.
Only a couple of minutes later Benfica winger Becky Conroy whipped a devilish cross into the box that caused a few sharp intakes of breath from those watching as a couple of Dungarvan players nearly turned it into their own net, but eventually cleared it out for just a corner.
It was a hectic start to the game with a sharp end to end tempo.
Kelly was fortunate again on 14 minutes when Dungarvan striker Lily McGill got to a ball over the top before the keeper and knocked it past her, but thankfully for Benfica, her touch took the ball safely over the end-line with the goal gaping.
The pace of the early minutes eventually subsided and it became more of a battle through the packed midfield.
Dungarvan’s left winger Ella Casey was her team’s go to out ball for most of the first half, finding lots of space out wide and it was her who found McGill, after being played in behind the Benfica backline by Kaeisha Tobin, with a pass across the face of goal for her striker to roll home after half an hour.
McGill could easily have made it two just seconds later when she once again broke beyond the Benfica line, shimmied past Kelly and struck at the empty net, only for a miraculous block by Sarah Wall to deny her.
A long range effort by O’Donoghue had Dungarvan United stopper Aimee Jordan scrambling but that was the best Benfica could muster from a half that started promisingly for them but Dungarvan ultimately dominated.
A few minutes into the second half Jordan cannoned an attempted clearance straight at Conroy, but the ball came straight back at her and she was able to prevent Benfica grabbing a freak equaliser from her error.
A couple of long range Benfica efforts came as the team clad in white today found it difficult to break down their opponents.
Conroy was Benfica’s biggest threat as they looked for a way back into the game, causing her opponents all sorts of problems down the right. She had an excellent strike from the edge of the box well saved by Jordan at her near post. Wall could only guide her free header over the bar from the resulting corner.
McGill looked to be in just a moment later but a heavy touch when she was one on one with Kelly scuppered the chance.
But on 75 minutes, McGill found her second goal in a very similar fashion to the first. Casey was again the supplier as she found space in the box before picking out McGill for an easy finish to double the Dungarvan United advantage.
That spelled the end of Benfica’s challenge, who looked tired and defeated as the game drew to a close.
The final whistle blew to confirm what had been known since the second goal and Dungarvan United captain Maria Delahunty picked up the cup for the well deserved winners in a highly entertaining tie.
Dungarvan: Aimee Jordan, Mary Kate Curren, Eimear Fennell, Katie Hannon, Orna O’Brien, Mary Kate Morrissey, Maria Delahunty, Rebecca Hogan (Phelan 44) , Lilly McGill, Kaeisha Tobin, Ella Casey
Subs: Hayley Phelan, Kelly Johnson, Aisling Farrell, Stacey Keohan, Ashlee Keohan, Ailish Hickey, Sophie Carroll Lawler
Benfica: Sally Kelly, Sarah Wall, Laura Stafford, Shauna Wall, Leah O’Donoghue, Becky Conroy, Kerry Ann Hamilton, Rachel Hutchinson, Lisa Dower, Jessica Devereux (Forsey 41), Aleisha Cullen
Subs: Kate Hearne, Hannah Peelo Whelan, Eilis Clooney, Charlotte Forsey, Katie Dower, Claire Ryan, Andrea Holmes
