Bohemians FC Waterford secured an impressive 3-2 victory over Killarney Celtic to become the FAI Women's Under 17 Cup winners. In an entertaining game, Emily O'Reilly gave Bohemians the lead before Sarah Abullo added a second goal. Meave Courtney scored for Killarney to get them back into the game, while Keira Burke added the third goal for the Waterford side. With a goal by Katie Doe in the final minutes, there was a tense final 10 minutes of play but Bohemians got through the last period to claim the win.Both teams had early chances to score, with Bohemians having the better start and forcing a number of corners. Holly Butler had a shot that was deflected wide. Sarah Abullo was unable to get to Kiera Burke's long ball into the Killarney area before Emily O'Reilly did who found herself one on one with Lucy O'Connor who was able to smother the ball at the strikers' feet.Elle Mai Nugent gave Ava O'Malley and Aideen O'Brien another chance to score for Killarney, but Grace Geraghty was quick to react and intercept the ball. Bohemians' Fiabh Costin came close to opening the score with a free kick that just missed the crossbar from the edge of the box.Bohemians’ defence had to be alert to stop Katie Foster's half-volley attempt from a corner, which was Killarney's best opportunity of the first half. In the ensuing phase of play, Sarah Abullo was about to get past the Killarney defence, but Lucy O'Connor made a superb save to stop the forward. Emily O'Reilly opened the scoring for Bohemians a few seconds later with a speculative shot that sailed over O'Connor and into the top of the net.
Congratulations to Bohemians FC Waterford 🏆
A five-goal thriller at Turners Cross sees the FAI Women's U17 Cup head to Waterford after a fantastic final against @killarneyceltic 🙌
➡️ https://t.co/2d2saPWi9v pic.twitter.com/573J2lcxcz— FAIreland (@FAIreland) August 12, 2023
Bohemians midfielder Emily O'Reilly had another opportunity to double her tally in the second half, but her goal-bound attempt was blocked. After putting in a lot of effort up front, Sarah Abullo earned her due rewards as she added a second goal for Bohemians by putting the ball easily past Lucy O'Connor and doubling their advantage.Meave Courtney's spectacular goal helped Killarney get back into the match as she collected the ball just outside the penalty area and struck the ball first time, beating an outstretched Grace Geraghty to the top of the net. Grainne Kennedy came dangerously close to levelling the contest at the back post from a corner, however, her attempt was just wide.With ten minutes left, Katie Foster nearly levelled the score when she pounced onto a mislaid pass, but her shot missed Geraghty's far post. After Nicole McCarty's free-kick was deflected for a corner by Killarney’s Lucy O'Connor, there was a scramble in the area, and Keira Burke slammed the ball home from close range to restore Bohemian's two-goal advantage. With five minutes left, Katie Doe scored another goal for Killarney with a perfectly placed free kick that found the top corner.In the game's closing moments, both teams made attempts at goal, but neither was successful, and the cup now heads to Waterford.Bohemians FC Waterford: Grace Geraghty, Ava Pello Whelan, Emma Ryan, Elle Kavanagh, Libby Power, Holly Butler (Ellis McHugh 46), Emily O'Reilly (Ellen Meaney 62), Fiabh Costin (Nicole McCarthy 55), Keira Burke, Tam Roche, Sarah Abullo.Subs not used: Aisling Colbert (GK), Eimear O'Brien, Sarah Searson.Killarney Celtic: Lucy O'Connor, Emma O'Brien, Amber MacIndoe (Kate Forde 64), Grainne Kennedy, Clodagh Moriarty, Lucy O'Sullivan, Katie Foster, Katie Doe, Ava O'Malley (Lauren Neff 90), Aideen O'Brien, Ellie Mai Nugent (Maeve Courtney 59).Subs not used: Abbie Finnan, Niamh Cantillon, Aoibhin Kelly. Booked: NoneSent Off: NonePlayer of the Match: Sarah Abullo (Bohemians FC Waterford)Referee: Mark O'Connell
