Fabulous Ferns are first Wexford team to reach LFA Women's Cup final
FERNS UNITED become the first Wexford side to reach an LFA Women’s Cup final when they travelled to Finglas United and came away 5-2 winners.
Playing in Finglas but cheered on by a large travelling support, the Wexford girls took the game to the hosts right from the start and after five minutes got their reward.
A brilliant turn in the box by Leona Breen resulted in the Ferns girl being taken down, and although Rachel Collier’s well-struck penalty was brilliantly saved by the Finglas goalkeeper, the taker was on hand to score the rebound.
On ten minutes Amy Wilson put Ferns two up with a goal straight out of the Seamus Coleman text book. Spotting the Finglas ’keeper well off her line, Amy hit a shot from the left wing that sailed right into the net.
On 13 minutes it was 3-0, after Caroline Murphy broke down play in midfield before slotting home a goal after a great run.
Finglas started to come more into the game and were awarded a penalty on 20 minutes after a Ferns handball to pull back a goal.
However, on 27 minutes, Ferns striker Aoife Devereux who, along with Leona Breen, was a constant threat to the Finglas defence, made it 4-1 with a brilliant curled effort after she had skipped past two challenges.
If Finglas had any thoughts of a second-half comeback, it was over after 48 minutes when Aoife Devereux again caused mayhem in the Finglas defence before her shot was saved, only to rebound into the net via a defender.
In fairness, Finglas never stopped trying, and on 52 minutes they reduced the lead to 5-2. Ferns goalkeeper Gráinne McCabe made two brilliant saves soon after that to keep Finglas out before the visitors took hold of the game again.
Caroline Murphy and Hayley Nolan were dominating midfield, and centre-backs Mary O’Neill and Ali Evered were a brick wall behind them.
Ferns left full-back Aoife Curran was a constant threat, and her long throws were as good as crosses into the Finglas box.
On the right side of midfield, Nicola Davitt was always a danger as well as supporting the defence.
Late in the second-half, Liz Evered came on and helped ease Ferns into the Leinster final. This was a great display by the Ferns women, and manager Kevin Murphy got his tactics spot on.
The rest of the Ferns squad comprised Ella Gavin, Chloe Moynihan, Chloe Mythen and Kayla Farrell.
Terenure Rangers await in the final which is scheduled for April 2, with the venue to be announced in the coming days.