Glenanne girls edge Weston in league semi-final thriller

THE BATTLE between Weston and Glenanne for a place in the Junior Girls x8D League Final on Sunday in Griffeen Park went right to the wire with the Tallaght side clinching further passage thanks to a 4-5 sudden-death shoot-out win.

Regulation and extra time failed to produce a goal between these two sides and it was neck and neck throughout the shoot-out until Ana Gayubo hit the target in sudden death and Caoimhe Hughes then produced a fine save to edge Glenanne through.

Indeed there was some tremendous goalkeeping on both sides with Weston’s Sinead Farrell producing some excellent stops from the likes of Gráinne McManus and Tiana Breen.

Weston started the second half on the front foot with Sophie Henry and Keelah Sisk making surges into the Glenanne circle, but they were unable to break the deadlock.

Glenanne stepped it up offensively, but were unable to unlock the Weston defence, thanks in no small measure to the work of Caoimhe Farrell.

Certainly nothing much has separated these two sides in the past and so it proved again as Glenanne did just enough to set up a decider against Three Rock Rovers in Grange Road.

There was more for Glenanne to celebrate as their Minor Girls reached the Shield Final following a 2-0 win over Boyne HC in which Gráinne McManus hit a brace.

The Tallaght side now await the winners of Stillorgan and Portrane in the other semi-final which will be played this Sunday.