WNL Cup Report: UCD Waves 2 - 0 Limerick

Dave Donnelly reports from Jackson Park

Two well-taken goals from Dearbhaile Beirne bookended a dominant UCD Waves displayed as they strolled into the semi-finals of the WNL Cup with victory over Limerick at Jackson Park.

Both sides struggled at times in the stifling Kilternan heat but Waves showed the greater consistency throughout and rarely looked like surrendering their third-minute lead.

However it took until the final minute of normal time for Beirne to score her and UCD's second with a wonderful solo effort.

UCD began the game on the front foot and forced visiting keeper Trish Fennelly into a save within two minutes, Leanne Payne calling her into action at the expense of a corner.

Limerick were unable to clear their lines despite numerous attempts and paid the price when Beirne connecting with Katie Burdis' cross and sent a header looping back over the keeper.

The Blues showed some fight and manufactured a chance of their own shortly afterwards, but captain Therese Hartley's long-range effort was never going to trouble Erica Turner in the UCD net.

UCD lost winger Avril Brierly to injury following a crunching late tackle from Limerick defender Megan Kelleher.

Her replacement, Kerri Letmon, lasted just two minutes herself as she was forced off following another mistimed tackle from the no-nonsense Kelleher.

Ireland under-19 international Naima Chemaou came on to replace Letmon and she almost set up a second as Sophie O'Donoghue ran clear, but Sylvia Gee did brilliantly to get back and cover.

UCD's play in the middle of the field was more fluid throughout, and patient build-up saw a chance open up for Payne, but her curling effort veered just left of the top corner.

The Blues did rally as half time approached, however, and Sophie Hudner headed Gee's corner over before Hartley picked out Rebecca Horgan, but she couldn't find Hudner in the centre.

UCD had the better of the earlier exchanges in the second half, and after Kelleher sent Beirne's corner spinning past her own post, Waves captain Chloe Mustaki shot just wide.

Turner was forced into her first meaningful action of the game when Marie Curtin hung up a free kick that was dipping under the bar before the backtracking keeper tipped it over.

And UCD were incensed when a defensive mix-up allowed Payne to play in O'Donoghue, but play was bizarrely stopped so Curtin could receive treatment after the ball hit her in the stomach.

That could have proved a point of huge contention had Noel Kealy's side conceded late on, but UCD continued to pour forward.

Chemaou volleyed over after Fennelly had flapped at a Beirne corner, before Sinead Gaynor let fly from distance and cleared the crossbar.

When Burdis lined up a free kick on the left the home side assumed she was going to cross, but she struck the ball flat and was desperately unlucky to catch the top of the bar with Fennelly stranded.

As full time approached, all Limerick needed was one chance to force extra time, but it was to be UCD who showed the killer instinct.

Chemaou played a short corner to Beirne, who dribbled inside, and after her first effort was blocked she surged into the box and chipped Fennelly to nestle the ball in the far corner.

Curtin could have forced a nervy conclusion when she got on the end of an injury-time Gee corner, but the defender headed over and Waves deservedly hung on to their clean sheet.

UCD Waves: Erica Turner; Aisling Dunbar, Róisín McGovern, Chelsea Snell, Katie Burdis (Keelin McEntee 81); Sinead Gaynor, Chloe Mustaki, Sophie O'Donoghue; Avril Brierly (Kerri Letmon 15 (Naima Chemaou 18)), Deirbheala Beirne, Leeanne Payne.

Subs not used: Ashling Spillane, Orla Haran, Jenny Chambers, Amy Guilfoyle.

Booked: Leanne Payne (58).

Limerick: Trish Fennelly; Sophie Gleeson, Marie Curtin, Megan Kelleher; Therese Hartley, Sylvia Gee, Carys Johnston, Aisling O'Connor, Lauren Keane; Rebecca Horgan, Sophie Hudner (Chloe Connolly 65)

Subs not used: Karen Connolly (gk), Megan Carroll, Sabrina McCarthy, Claire Kelly.

Booked: None.

Attendance: 50 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Dearbhaile Beirne (UCD Waves).