IT Sligo into Premier League semi final after UCD win
IT SLIGO UCD 3 2
IT Sligo are through to the Premier League semi- finals after an exciting 3- 2 victory over UCD on Wednesday evening. The game took place in IT Sligo.
The game ebbed and flowed from the start with IT Sligo marginally the better team in the opening 15 minutes.
The Sligo Institute took the lead after 15 minutes.
Northern Ireland international Catherine Hyndman made a great run down the left flank.
She cut inside the full back and slipped the ball through to Amber Lynch who calmly slotted the ball past the UCD goalkeeper.
UCD equalised four minutes later. Rachel King made a great save in a one v one situation, but a UCD player reacted fastest to the rebound to leave the teams locked on one goal each. UCD were the better team for the remainder of the half. Goalkeeper Rachel King kept the Sligo outfit level with a last gasp tackle in a one on one situation after 25 minutes. However she could do nothing about the second UCD goal which came five minutes before half- time. Four minutes later UCD almost extended their lead but the goal bound shot was deflected just outside the post.
IT Sligo regrouped at half- time and came out with all guns blazing for the second- half. After two minutes, Amber Lynch was rewarded for chasing what looked like a lost cause. In the resulting scramble with the UCD goalkeeper both players lost their footing. In spite of being on the ground, Lynch cleverly steered the ball into the empty net.
Ella McLoughlin made a great run down the right hand touchline after 65 minutes and was unfortunate to see her shot go just outside the post. Shortly afterwards, Rachel Kearns made a great run and her cross found Sligo town native Amber Lynch who completed her first hat- trick for IT Sligo.
In the final few minutes UCD pressed hard and struck the crossbar with a few minutes left to play. IT Sligo held on to win 3- 2 and will now meet UCC in the semi- finals.
There is a strong Sligo town influence in the IT Sligo team. Apart from Amber Lynch, Lauren Boles is also a key player and her central mid- field partnership with Mayo’s Rachel Kearns is one of the best in the Premier League. Other Sligo natives include Stacey Muldowney, Niamh Kerins, Catherine Hyndman, Una Higgins, Nicole Martin, Shannon Dykes McGwynne, Suzanne O’ Reilly. Donegal natives are Kathy McLoughlin and Ella McLoughlin. Laura Regan, Michelle Kelly and Rachel Barrett all hail from Mayo. Rachel King is from Galway. Finally Aine Bresnihan is from Limerick.
IT SLIGO: Rachel King, Stacey Muldowney, Rachel Barrett, Kathy McLoughlin, Niamh Kerins, Ella McLoughlin, Lauren Boles, Rachel Kearns, Catherine Hydyman, Amber Lynch, Una Higgins. Subs Aine Bresnihan, Laura Regan, Michelle Kelly, Nicole Martin, Shannon Dykes McGwynne, Suzanne O’ Reilly.