- Dave Donnelly
- Sun, Jul 23 2023
Gemma McGuinness netted the only goal as Galway United marked their first season in senior football with the Avenir All-Island Cup crown.
The Donegal striker - who scored the winning penalty in the semi-final shoot-out success over Wexford Youths - netted a fortuitous early goal to win the inaugural cross-border Cup.
On the day that Limerick’s hurlers made their own bit of history by becoming the third side to win four successive All-Ireland titles, Galway United carved out their own place in the annals.
Former Derry City and Sligo Rovers hotshot McGuinness pounced on a mistake from Cliftonville keeper Rachael Norney to loft the ball cleanly into an empty net on 13 minutes.
She chipped home from 25 yards after intercepting the Cliftonville netminder’s clearance and, with an unguarded goal, made no mistake with a precise finish.
The Belfast side had gone through the competition unbeaten through the final - a 1-1 draw in a dead-rubber with Sligo their only blemish - but could not find a way through the Tribeswomen.
They were under pressure from the early minutes and McGuinness could have opened her account within nine minutes but she couldn’t keep her effort down from range.
She made no mistake shortly after, however, as Norney found herself stranded and was beaten by her fellow Ulsterwoman.
Galway looked to press home their advantage with both Lynsey McKey and Aislinn Meaney going close before the break.
The Reds’ only real chance of the first half fell to Northern Ireland international Caitlin McGuinness on the stroke of half time.
Jessica Berlin rushed out of her box and didn’t claim the ball but the striker pulled her effort wide with the Galway defence retreating.
Cliftonville could not replicate the dominance they had over Cork City in their semi-final at Solitude and Galway continued to press after the break.
Norney had to be alert to deny Meaney within two minutes from the restart as she latched onto a ball over the top before stretching to shoot.
And the keeper kept her side in the game once more moments later as a loose ball dropped to Eve Dossen in the box but, again, at a stretch the defender could not prod home.
Player of the month Danielle Maxwell fired over the bar as the Premiership champions looked to find their way back into the game midway through the half.
And Berlin was on top form to keep out a Toni-Leigh Finnegan rocket as Cliftonville enjoyed a purple patch in the final quarter.
But Galway United held firm and closed out the game on the front foot to claim their first trophy since inheriting the Tribe mantle from Galway WFC.
Cliftonville: Rachael Norney; Kelsie Burrows, Hannah Doherty, Toni-Leigh Finnegan (Kirsty McGuinness 60), Fi Morgan; Marissa Callaghan, Vicky Carleton, Danielle Maxwell, Louise McDaniel (Katie Markey 86), Orleigha McGuinness (Yasmin White 70); Caitlin McGuinness.
Subs not used: Aisling Anderson, Chelsea Irvine, Kayla Campbell, Claire Shaw, Tara Reilly, Tiarna Bradley.
Galway United: Jessica Berlin; Aoibheann Costello, Eve Dossen, Jamie Erickson, Therese Kinnevey; Isabella Beletic, Gemma McGuinness (Nicole McNamara 87), Lynsey McKey (Jodie Griffin 79), Jenna Slattery, Kate Thompson; Aislinn Meaney (Rola Olusola 74).
Subs not used: Abbiegayle Ronayne (gk), Siobhan Doolan, Emma Duffy, Amy Madden, Aoife Thompson, Abbie Callanan.
Booked: Rola Olusola (90).
Attendance: 579.
extratime.com Player of the Match: Gemma McGuinness (Galway United).
