- Dave Donnelly
- Sat, Aug 07 2021
Dave Donnelly reports from the UCD Bowl
Jetta Berrill's second-half double capped off a fine 5-2 win for DLR Waves as the Dubliners returned to winning ways at home to Treaty United.
The former Ireland international scored twice from the bench, including a spectacular volley in injury time, as Graham Kelly's side survived a brave comeback from the Limerick side.
Treaty had seen their preparation for the game hampered by an accident involving hay bales on the M7, a freak event that also saw the All-Ireland hurling semi-final delayed.
The visitors arrived at the ground half an hour after the scheduled kick-off, and it was almost 5.00pm by the time the game kicked off.
Treaty looked to be the worse affected by the disruption as they fell behind within seven minutes as Catherine Cronin picked off a loose pass before tucking the ball in the corner.
A tidy finish from top scorer Carla McManus, her seventh of the season. doubled Waves' tally inside the opening 20 minutes.
An own goal from defender Jesse Mendez made it three before the break as she made a desperare attempt to deny Katie Malone from close range.
Waves had a succession of chances to add to their lead, Katie Malone denied by a brilliant Michaela Mitchell save and McManus steering wide from close range.
They were pegged back ten minutes into the second half when Jenna Slattery finally found the net after she and teammate Aoife Cronin had been denied by Eve Badana and the post.
And Slattery added a spectacular second just past the hour as she wound up a shot from distance - as she had in the midweek defeat to Cork City - and found the bottom corner.
The fightback was shortlived, however, as Berrill strode through on goal to net goal number four in similar fashion to Cronin's opener.
And the Limerick resident rounded things off in injury time as she met Niamh Prior's left-wing cross with a precision cushioned volley that left Mitchell flailing for thin air.
DLR Waves: Eve Badana; Aoife Brophy, Jess Gleeson, Niamh Barnes, Katie Burdis; Fiona Donnelly, Nadine Clare (Ciara Maher 83), Katie Malone (Avril Brierley 69); Shauna Carroll (Jetta Berrill 46), Catherine Cronin (Niamh Prior 83), Carla McManus (Rachel Doyle 83).
Subs not used: Rugile Auskalnyte (gk), Nicole Keogh, Oleta Griffin, Kerri Letmon.
Booked: None.
Treaty United: Micaela Mitchell; Alannah Mitchell, Jesse Mendez, Eve O'Sullivan; Rebecca Horgan, Esra Kangal (Maura Shine 65), Tara O'Gorman (Shannon Parbat 83), Gillian Keenan (Lauren Keane 65); Jenna Slattery, Olivia Gibson (Anna Shanagher 83), Aoife Cronin (Cara Griffin 83).
Subs not used: Maebh Ryan (gk), Anna Shine.
Booked: Eve O'Sullivan (67).
Referee: Sean Stephens.
Attendance: 100 (estimate).
Extratime.com Player of the Match: Katie Malone (DLR Waves).
