Cullen strikes late for crown
Cloughbawn thwart Kilmore
CLOUGHBAWN 1 KILMORE UNITED 0 (AET)
WITH PENALTIES looming, Tina Cullen netted the winner in extra-time to give Cloughbawn the Michelle Coleman Cup, completing an incredible triple-double for the up-and-coming club.
It was tough on Kilmore, a side that gave their all in the game in New Ross, but they came up against a determined outfit clearly on their way up the Wexford women’s soccer ladder. After taking the Division 1 title recently, they will play Premier Division football next season.
But this success was built on grit and determination. It was a close battle throughout that was settled when Tara Doyle started a move down the wing.
Her ball was tipped past the ‘keeper by Tracy Martin, and Cullen fired it home to give Cloughbawn the all-important breakthrough goal.
Cloughbawn had the better of the first-half, with the excellent Niamh Kehoe pulling the strings and making her side tick. At the back Patrice Lawler was almost impassable, such was her superb form at the heart of the defence.
Tina Cullen had the best of Cloughbawn’s first-half chances. She fired one over the crossbar while on another occasion the excellent Cora Miller, who began the game in goal, made a fine save when it seemed the net was about to bulge.
With Laura Jenkins and Nicole Kelly marshalling the Kilmore defence, those clearcut chances were few and far between.
Chloe Troy was looking to pick passes through to the lively ‘player of the match’ Sophie Boxwell but the Cloughbawn defence, led by Lawler, held strong.
Tara Doyle and Tracy Martin both had opportunities to give Cloughbawn the lead early in the second-half but, as the game went on, Kilmore started to create a few openings.
Lisa Power missed the target with a shot from a good position before the seasiders created their best situation of the game.
Amy Banville was the provider for the chance, and she released Cora Miller through the middle one-on-one with Michaela Kennedy. The shot was decent but the Cloughbawn shot-stopper won the battle and saved the day.
Cloughbawn were able to control most of extra-time without creating too many chances of note. That was until Tina Cullen tapped home the winner from Martin’s flick-on deep into the second period of overtime to win the cup for her side.
After winning doubles in the last two seasons, this is Cloughbawn’s third double in a row.
Cloughbawn: Michaela Kennedy, Caoimhe Kehoe, Patrice Lawler, Tara Doyle, Tina Cullen, Kate Cullen, Danielle Kehoe, Niamh Kehoe, Chloe Merrigan, Jessica Martin. Subs. - Ulrika Dreelan, Tracy Martin, Kate Hendrick.
Kilmore: Cora Miller, Laura Jenkins, Imogen Fanning, Gemma Casey, Nicole Kelly, Johanna Cousins, Megan Doyle, Chloe Troy, Sophie Boxwell, Lisa Power, Amy Banville. Subs. - Ellie O’Connor for Doyle, inj., Katie Lawlor for Casey, Becky Furlong for Fanning, Megan Benson for Jenkins.