Bohs lift cup in style
JASON GOODISON in Kilmuckridge WEXFORD BOHS 3 SHELBURNE UNITED 0
WEXFORD Bohs’ added more silverware to the clubs collection as they cruised past Shelburne United in the Gaynor Cup Final in Kilmuckridge on Sunday afternoon.
Bohs’ only regret will probably be that they didn’t win the game by more after dominating this cup final from start to finish.
The Drinagh-based side have some technical footballers in attacking positions and they combined together well to set Denise Leniston up to half-volley Bohs’ ahead barely five minutes into the contest.
There were more chances immediately after the goal for Bohemians to put distance between the sides and the Leniston’s, Diane and Denise, were a constant thorn in Shelburne’s side.
Denise fed Diane first, she curled her shot into the hands of Kate O’Keefe before the roles were reversed and Denise headed wide from close range.
Shelburne were also struggling to deal with Denise Leniston’s striker partner, Aliat Kotun, who headed wide on the half hour mark as another opportunity went a begging for Wexford.
Diane Leniston almost found her way around O’Keefe before Holly Hynes fired wide just before the interval.
At half-time they might have feared that they would be punished for missing so many chances before the break but they picked up the second half right where they had left off.
O’Keefe had to be on her toes once again to deny Hynes but moments later Denise Leniston beat her to the ball but beat the post as well as another effort slipped wide for Bohs’.
The ball was eventually in the net for the second time in the 73rd minute.
Diane Leniston played a pinpoint first time pass in behind the defence for Denise Leniston to race onto and calmly slot past the Shelburne goalkeeper.
Shelburne’s best opportunity came shortly after Bohemians second but Chloe Byrne could not steer her free kick underneath the crossbar as Bohs’ escaped a nervy final 15 minutes.
There was still time for one more special moment in the Gaynor Cup final – Denise Leniston chipped another sublime pass over the top which was met on the half-volley by Hynes.
Hynes’ strike from 25 yards out flew off her foot and dipped down under the crossbar for undoubtedly one of the best goals scored countrywide last weekend.
Bohs’ emptied their bench and ran down the remaining minutes with ease as they lifted the Gaynor Cup in style.
WEXFORD BOHS: Emma Barnes; Suzi Byrne, Hayley Roche, Shirley Roche, Molly Lambert; Holly Hynes, Diane Leniston, Robyn Murphy, Keira Byrne; Denise Leniston, Aliat Kotun. Subs: Aoife O’Keefe for Kotun (86), Emma Darcy for Byrne (88), Zoe Thomas for Murphy (88), Catriona Kelly for Denise Leniston (89). Also, Laura Martin, Amber Kavanagh.
SHELBURNE: Kate O’Keefe; Claire Cowman, Ciara Quigley, Fiona Holohan, Carol Cowman; Caoimhe Cowman, Chloe Byrne, Ciara Gaffney, Siobhan Elmes; Shauna Cowman, Eimear Murphy. Subs: Ella Foley for Quigley (60), Aisling Breen for Shauna Cowman (66). Also, Ella Lyng, Rebecca Foley.
REFEREE: Ger Morris.