Raheny United 3 - 0 Wexford Youths Women

Raheny United’s quest to win their first ever FAI Cup took a step further to reality with a convincing victory over Wexford Youths at Morton Stadium on Saturday evening.

An attendance nearly double the home side's usual Sunday afternoon support cheered the Northsiders home, in what became an uphill battle for the Wexford women, facing a Raheny team which have only been beaten twice at the Santry venue since taking up residence over a year ago.

Raheny took the lead with only three minutes on the clock. Rebecca Creagh’s corner found the head of full back Seana Cooke, who deftly flicked the ball past the Wexford defence to give the home side a lead.

Wexford had the most clear cut of the first half chances, when lack of communication in the Raheny defence saw Merrigan collect a Newman back pass.

The Raheny defence charged down the Wexford attempt, but Hutchinson’s follow up shot was expertly saved in the right hand corner by Merrigan in the Raheny goal.

Merrigan was again on her toes from the resulting corner as Jessica Gleeson’s header was pushed high over the bar.

Raheny came out of the blocks early in the second half, but showed some of the characteristics of their unsuccessful first season in the WNL.

For all Raheny’s pressure, they struggled to open the Wexford door. The closest they came was a flowing attack involving Killeen and McCabe who pushed the ball through for Noelle Murray to finish, only to see the Referee’s assistant chalk it off.

Raheny finally unlocked the Wexford defence on 67 minutes. Constant pressure by the Northsiders saw Creagh in space who picked out the on rushing Siobhan Killeen whose deft flick fell into the path of Caroline Thorpe who volleyed home for her first in Raheny colours.

Raheny’s confidence grew after the second and the Northsiders added their 3^rd on 72 minutes. Killeen, again causing Wexford problems, found Murray in the Wexford box who turned Catherine Gleeson inside out and gave Aimee Jordan no chance as she nestled the ball in the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Raheny pressed on with long range efforts raining down on the Wexford goal, but the gulf in quality between both sides was evident with Wexford digging deep to deprive Raheny of adding to their total in the final quarter of the game.

Caroline Thorpe coming closest with an effort with 5 minutes to play which stung the fingers of Aimee Jordan.

Wexford searched for a consolation in the final minute when Emma Merrigan produced an excellent save from Rianna Jarrett’s volley with Jessica Gleeson sending the rebound high and wide.

It was Raheny’s day and a showdown against Lifford or Peamount awaits.

Raheny United: Emma Merrigan, Seana Cooke, Elaine Murray, Shauna Newman, Rebecca Creagh, Rachael Graham (Catherine Cronin, 80), Ciara Grant, Caroline Thorpe, Siobhan Killeen, Katie McCabe, Catherine Crush.

Subs not used: Catherine Cronin, Kate Flood, Kate McKeever.

Wexford Youths: Aimee Jordan, Lucy Sherwin, Jessica Gleeson, Catherine Power, Laura Heffernan, Linda Douglas, Ciara Rossiter (Sadie Murphy, 30), Riana Jarrett, Rachel Hutchinson (Amy Walsh, 78), Rachel Wall, Clare Conlon (Katie White, 63).

Subs Not Used: Tamara Furlong, Krista Minto, Edel Kennedy, Lynn Marie Grant.

Attendance: 100 (approx)

Referee: Adam Conroy.