All-Island Cup report: Bohemians 4 - 0 Lisburn Ladies

Paul Corcoran reports from Dalymount Park

Bohemians have gone top of Group A in the Women’s All-Island Cup with a 4-0 win over Lisburn Ladies at Dalymount Park on Sunday afternoon.

Goals from Katie Lovely, Savannah Kane and Alannah McEvoy – as well as an own goal – saw Ken Kiernan’s side take the three points in their opening game in this season’s competition.

In the fifth minute Alannah McEvoy caught Lisburn’s Rebecca Magee in possession, the Bohs forward rushed her shot and struck from outside the box, sending the ball over the bar.

McEvoy was involved again not long after when she crossed from the right wing, finding Orlagh Fitzpatrick but her shot didn’t have a lot of power on it and Jessica Poots made the save.

Lisburn Ladies dealt with Bohemians attacking threat well for the next 15 minutes with Aoibhe Brennan drawing a save from Poots in the 21^st minute after a good ball by Lynn Craven.

The Gypsies found their breakthrough in the 25^th minute however, when a defensive header from an Orlagh Fitzpatrick cross fell to Katie Lovely in the box – the midfielder made no mistake from 12 yards as she fired the ball into the net.

Just five minutes later the home side had doubled their lead, Lisburn’s Casey Duffy lost her footing while in possession in the box and Savannah Kane nipped in to take advantage as she fired Bohs into a 2-0 lead.

Poots was busy in the Lisburn goal minutes later with a great save to deny Kane a second goal, Tiegan Ruddy fancied her chances from long range in the 34^th minute and the shot stopper again made the save.

The home side were 3-0 up before half-time – Kane involved again in the 37^th minute, this time with a through ball to send Aoibhe Brennan through on goal. Lisburn’s Hayley Anderson did everything she could to stop the goal, but her interception of the shot ended up sending the ball into the net, a real stroke of bad luck.

With such a commanding lead for Bohs there was less action to open the second half, although Kane went close in the 50^th minute after a well worked move and Lynn Craven had a shot saved from long range.

Their fourth goal arrived in the 68^th minute when Fitzpatrick, who had been patrolling the left flank all afternoon and causing trouble with her crosses, found McEvoy’s head in the box with a ball from deep. McEvoy timed the header perfectly to add to Bohemians goals.

Bohs could have had more goals, but substitute goalkeeper Zara Maguire made some impressive saves after entering he game with just over ten minutes to go in place of Poots.

The Northern Ireland under 17 international denied Fitzpatrick and McEvoy with some excellent saves in the 80^th and 84^th minute.

Fitzpatrick did have the ball in the net in the 89^th minute when Maguire made another great save – this time to deny Fiona Donnelly from long range – but she was flagged offside.

The second round of group stage games takes place in April, Bohemians travel to Belfast to take on Linfield while Lisburn Ladies will host Women’s Premier Division champions Peamount United.

Bohemians WFC: Rachael Kelly; Lisa Murphy (Abbie O'Hara 58), Tiegan Ruddy, Ciara Smith (Aoife Brophy 58); Lynn Craven (Sarah Duke Power 58), Fiona Donnelly, Orlagh Fitzpatrick, Savannah Kane (Rachel McGrath 71), Katie Lovely (Aoibhe Fleming 58); Aoibhe Brennan, Alannah McEvoy.

Subs not used: Medbh Ryan, Shauna Carroll, Sarah McKevitt, Katie Malone.

Booked: Ciara Smith (44).

Sent off: None.

Lisburn Ladies: Jessica Poots (Zara Maguire 79); Hayley Anderson, Casey Duffy, Jessica Hall, Rebecca Magee; Abbie Burnett, Christine Clews, Stacey Murdough (Courtney Poots 79), Zoe Rodgers, Morgan Shannon (Danielle Winters 60); Mia Rowan (Caoimhe McKeague 60).

Subs not used: Sidra Alsaidi.

Booked: None.

Referee: Alan Patchell.

extratime.com Player of the Match: Orlagh Fitzpatrick (Bohemians)

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