Women's FAI Cup Final Report: Wexford Youths Women 0 - 5 Shelbourne Ladies FC

An impressive display of attacking football saw Shelbourne Ladies claim the Continental Tyres FAI Women’s National Cup on Sunday afternoon after a 5-0 victory over Wexford Youths WFC at the Aviva Stadium.

After missing a penalty earlier in the opening half, Noelle Murray would go on to give Shels the lead on the half hour, while Kiernan would double the Dublin side’s lead soon after.

Kiernan, who scored four goals recently in Ireland’s 10-0 U19 win over Macadonia, would also complete her hat-trick via a spot kick, as she showed glimpses of her potential that was glittered throughout the contest.

Gloria Douglas would also get on the score sheet for Shelbourne, as Mark Leavy’s League leaders took their impressive form into the Aviva Stadium and deservedly took home the Cup.

This was a repeat of last year’s decider, which was a thriller and went all the way to penalties, with Wexford winning on that occasion. Despite their best efforts this time around, they were to come up short despite a much improved second half display.

Shels began the brighter in the opening minutes and could have scored when Gloria Douglas went on a brilliant run into the box, skipping past the Wexford defenders in a Messi esque fashion, but there was to be no finish in the end.

Shelbourne would have a great chance to go in front on the quarter hour mark from the penalty spot, as Leanne Kiernan was taken down in the area by Wexford captain Nicola Sinnott.

Noelle Murray stepped up to take it, but her low effort to the right hand side was saved by Wexford netminder Sophie Lenehan.  

But Wexford would grow into this game though, with Aisling Frawley in particular looking a threat down the wings.

In the 23rd minute, they had a good chance, but Frawley would shoot over from inside the area.

Wexford pushed and probed, but they were mainly confined to efforts from long range.

However, it would be Shels who would take the lead in the 30th minute, as Noelle Murray would put the ball home at the second time of asking to the bottom corner, after her initial attempt was blocked down by Wexford’s Aoibhin Webb.

Shelbourne Ladies would double their lead just moments later, as Gloria Douglas split the Wexford defence open with a marvellous through ball, before Kiernan proved why she is one of the hottest properties in Irish women’s football at the moment, showing coolness to round the keeper and comfortably finish to the back of the net.

Wexford had a great chance to get a goal back before half time, but Shels keeper Amanda McQuillan made a great stop to deny Douglas.

But just before the break, it would be Shels who would go three ahead, as Kiernan showcased her lightening pace to get on the end of a through ball by Noelle Murray.

Wexford came out for the second half, with a renewed sense of urgency but unfortunately for them their hard work was all undone as Shelbourne got goal number four in the 64th minute.

A ball into the box from Killeen was met by the head of Douglas and the ball bounced over the line.

Wexford never gave up to their credit, but it was just one of those days when nothing went their way.  

Shelbourne would get goal number five from the penalty spot, as Kiernan was on hand to complete her hat-trick with an excellent effort to the top right hand corner.

It was the icing on the cake for what was an excellent afternoon for the 17 year old and of course what was a memorable day for Shelbourne Ladies.

Wexford Youths WFC:   Sophie Lenehan; Jessica Gleeson, Linda Douglas, Orlaith Condon, Nicola Sinnott(c); Emma Hansberry, Aisling Frawley, Maria Delahunty(Sophie Watters , 85) , Amy Walsh(Rachel Hutchinson, 67 ); Claire O’Riordan, Aoibhin Webb.

Subs Not Used: Tamara Furlong, Becky Cassin, Aoife Prendergast, Leanne Tumelty, Sinead Gaynor.

Booked: Nicola Sinnott(15)

Shelbourne Ladies: Amanda McQuillan; Alex Kavanagh, Courtney Higgins, Seana Cooke, Niamh Walsh; Siobhan Killeen (Fiona Donnelly, 84) , Leanne Kiernan(Sophie Watters, 84) , Rachel Graham(Lynn Craven, 80), Gloria Douglas, Pearl Slattery(c); Noelle Murray.

Subs Not Used: Niamh Reid Burke, Shauna Newman, Sarah Rowe, Grace Murray.

Booked:  None.

Referee: Deirdre Nolan.

Attendance: 800 (estimate)

Extratime.ie Player Of The Match:  Leanne Kiernan(Shelbourne).

You can view pictures from the game as taken by Matt Kirkham, Martin Doherty and Mcihael P Ryan here.