Ciara O'Connell's late goal sees Wilton United beat Ferns to capture FAI Women's Amateur Shield
Winning goalscorer Ciara O'Connell of Wilton United celebrates after her match-winner at Ozier Park. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Wilton United had a thrilling 1-0 victory over Ferns United in the FAI Women’s Amateur Shield on Sunday morning in Ozier Park.
This was a thrilling encounter between two superb sides that played some breathtaking football throughout.
Wilton will be thrilled with this result and they had some excellent performances from Ciara O’Connell, who was a rock at the back, and Jesse Mendez, Barbara O’Connell and Emma O’Connor, who combined brilliantly in midfield.
The pace of winger Lydia Looney caused the Ferns defence problems. Player of the Match was Zoe Murphy, after her masterclass display at the heat of the defence.
Ferns put up a great battle and they had some top performances from Leona Breen, Liz Evered and Aoife Curran. They had a great chance to open the scoring in the fifth minute when Mary Dwyer threaded a great ball through to Leona Breen, but her shot flew inches wide of the target.
Wilton midfielder Mendez picked out Looney, who showed great pace to get away from two defenders but Ferns keeper Grainne McCabe pulled off a superb save to deny the Wilton forward.
In the 38th minute, Wilton forward Jane Mulvihill cut in from the right wing and unleashed a powerful shot that flew just over the crossbar to leave the sides level at the break.
Wilton went so close to taking the lead in the 51st minute when Lydia Looney laid off a superb ball to Jesse Mendez but the midfielders' shot crashed off the post.
Three minutes later, Louise Burke’s corner found Murphy at the back post but her header flew just wide of the target.
In the 69th minute, Louise Burke’s free kick from the right wing was met by Murphy, who rose majestically in the box but her header crashed off the crossbar.
Wilton continued to play all the football with Ferns sitting deep but were finding it difficult to create any space in behind a well-organised defence.
In the 71st minute, Ferns midfielder Josephine Dwyer picked out Amy Wilson on the right wing but Wilton keeper Lauryn Murphy was quick off her line to deny the Ferns attacker.
Finally, in the 83rd minute, Wilton took the lead when Louise Burke’s corner was headed to the roof of the net by Ciara O’Connell to give her side a 1-0 advantage.
Three minutes later Ferns thought they had equalised when Niamh O’Regan got on the end of a free kick by Aoife Curran but her goal was ruled offside.
Ferns threw everything at the Wilton rearguard in the final few minutes with Leona Breena and Josephine Dwyer going close but Wilton held on to be crowned FAI Women’s Amateur Champions.
Lauryn Murphy, Hazel Walsh, Ciara O’Connell, Zoe Murphy, Emma O’Connor, Jesse Mendez, Barbara O’Connell, Jane Mulvihill, Lydia Looney, Caitlin O’Sullivan, Louise Burke.
Alex Browne, Niamh O’Regan, Robyn Murphy, Eimear Roantree, Tasha Isibor, Lynda O’Connell, Katlin O’Driscoll.
Grainne McCabe, Aine O’Connor, Leah Walsh, Aoife Curran, Sarah Figgis, Mary Dwyer, Niamh O’Regan, Josephine Dwyer, Leona Breen, Liz Evered, Amy Wilson.
Grace O’Halloran, Mary Bradshaw, Alexandra Evered, Zoe Kearney, Caroline Murphy, Hayley Nolan.
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