Galway WFC shine at international youth competition to win Lisbon Cup

Galway Women's FC Under 17s added the Lisbon Cup to their domestic double at the weekend, defeating aristocrats of European Football Benfica on penalties in the final.

On Saturday the Irish champions defeated Finnish side PuiU/MPS from Helsinki 1-0 through a Kayla Brady goal, disposed of Portuguese outfit Estoril Praia 2-0 - the goals coming from Anna Fahey and Emma O'Donoghue - and held tournament favourites Benfica to a scoreless draw.

In Sunday's semi-final, Galway WFC once again faced PuiU/MPS, and this time they put two past them without reply, with Abbie Callanan and Kellie Brennan scoring for the Irish representatives. In the other semi-final Benfica defeated AD Souselas 3-0 to ensure Galway would face the Eagles once again in the final.

In a side boasting five Portuguese U17 internationals, Benfica took the lead after just two minutes of the decider.

However, despite going behind, Galway responded well, and dominated the remainder of the opening half without scoring.

Their reward came at the start of the second half when Abbie Callanan scored the equaliser with the game ending 1-1.

Penalties also proved difficult to separate these two sides, and after five penalties each, the sides were still tied 4-4. Finally the deadlock was broken when Abbiegayle Ronayne saved from Benfica's seventh penalty to see Galway win 6-5.

 

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