Cliftonville Ladies 0
Galway United 1
Caitlin McGuinness of Cliftonville is tackled by Eve Dossen of Galway United
Galway United captain Lynsey McKey lifts the cup
Cliftonville Ladies’ all-Ireland title hopes ended in heartbreak after a 1-0 defeat to Galway United.
A first-half goal from player of the match Gemma McGuinness was enough to see Galway lift the Avenir Sports All-Island Cup after a tense battle in Sligo.
The decisive goal, after just 12 minutes, came in the cruellest of circumstances for Cliftonville mixed with a moment of class from the Galway Girls.
Reds goalkeeper Rachel Norney raced off her line to the right corner of her box to clear the ball at the feet of Lynsey McKee, but her clearance went straight to Gemma McGuinness and with the net largely unguarded she sent a sweet chip over Kelsie Burrows and Fi Morgan and into the net from 25 yards out.
Galway’s high press had made it difficult for Cliftonville to build from the back in the same way as they normally do and that prevented them from getting into a passing flow and gain possession in the Galway half,
That, mixed with nervousness in the defence, almost let Gemma McGuinness in both before and after her goal and McKey also went close after a weak clearance by Burrows.
After they finally settled the Reds started to carve out openings. Vicky Carleton shot over after Caitlin McGuinness had battled to win the ball from Eve Dossen and there were strong claims for a penalty after Danielle Maxwell collected a long ball and cut in from the left before having a shot blocked.
Another long ball out from the back teased Galway goalkeeper Jessica Berlin off her line right to the edge of the box, but Caitlin McGuinness couldn’t produce a finish to match her
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