In a season decorated with comprehensive wins and classy performances, Galway WFC U19s ultimately relied on character to defeat DLR Waves in Sunday’s cup final at Eamonn Deacy Park.
DLR, inspired by the outstanding Rugile Auskalynte and captain Oleta Griffin contributed to a wholehearted encounter that went to extra-time.
Galway WFC’s perseverance was rewarded in the 115th minute when a fortuitous goal divided the teams. Abbie Callanan, scorer of an audacious effort in the WNL against Peamount United the previous evening, and Aoibheann Costello were involved in the build-up with substitute Rola Olusola’s effort taking a wicked deflection off Griffin.
The ball eventually crossed the line and DLR’s spirited challenge was fended off by Phil Trill’s team. On Tuesday the league title had been secured in a goal laden tussle against Athlone Town. This was not as free flowing, but it was equally rewarding with Hannah Walsh hoisting a second national trophy in five days.
That offers significant hope for the future, but joy must be found in the present too and the late winner sparked jubilant scenes in front of another healthy attendance at the Corribside venue. Galway WFC’s teams deserve that type of a stage and setting because they continue to operate at a high level.
It is a particularly exciting time for the women’s game in this country. Considerable strides have been made and the inaugural U19 campaign nationally has proven to be a real success. Perhaps in this part of the island Galway’s triumphant year adds an extra layer of satisfaction, but recent opponents at this grade, Athlone and DLR, have integrated a number of exciting footballers.
Graham Kelly, who has been a driving force behind DLR Waves’ development, was an interested spectator at Eamonn Deacy Park and certainly headed back to the capital aware of the promise within his club. Stephen Lally similarly so from a Galwegian perspective. Walsh, Costello, Kate Slevin, Saoirse Healey, Abbie Callanan, Shauna Brennan, Anna Fahey, Therese Kinnevey, and Nicole McNamara were all eligible for the U19 grade, but have already sampled WNL fare.
Undoubtedly it is a demanding balancing with a number of variables at play each weekend for Trill and his hard working coaches. An U19 league and cup double made the planning and plotting worthwhile.
U19
LEAGUE
27.6 H 3-1 v WEXFORD YOUTHS Abbie Callanan 2, Elisha Bohan
4.7 A 3-0 v GREYSTONES Aoibheann Costello 2, Aoibhinn Donnelly
11.7 H 8-0 v CARLOW KILKENNY Anna Fahey 3, Saoirse Healey 2, Aoibhinn Donnelly, Lisa Coen, Jane Trehy
18.7 H 3-0 v ATHLONE TOWN Anna Fahey 2, Saoirse Healey
25.7 A 1-2 v CORK CITY Anna Fahey
22.8 A 5 -2 v CORK CITY Anna Fahey 3, Saoirse Healey, Aoibhinn Donnelly
5.9 H 3-0 v DLR WAVES Abbie Callanan, Saoirse Healey, Anna Fahey
19.9 H 2-4 v ATHLONE TOWN Abbie Callanan, Saoirse Healey
26.9 H 0-0 v PEAMOUNT -
3.10 H 5-0 v CORK CITY Aoibheann Costello 2, Aoibhinn Donnelly 2, Abbie Callanan
31.10 H 2-1 v PEAMOUNT Saoirse Healey, Aoibheann Costello
7.11 A 1-0 v DLR WAVES Abbie Callanan
9.11 A 6-3 v ATHLONE TOWN Aoibhinn Donnelly 3, Abbie Callanan 2, Shauna Brennan
CUP
15.8 H 4-1 v ATHLONE TOWN Abbie Callanan 3, Aoibheann Costello
12.9 A 2-0 v SLIGO ROVERS Anna Fahey, Saoirse Healey
10.10 A 4-0 v SHELBOURNE Abbie Callanan 2, Emma O’Donoghue, Aoibhinn Donnelly
14.11 H 1-0 v DLR WAVES OG
