Loreto edged out after penalty shoot-out

LORETO women’s team were pipped at the post in the Irish Junior Cup final when they went down to Railway Union 6-5 on a penalty shoot out after the contest finished 1-1.

Railway Union started the game strongly and dominated possession in the opening stages. They took the lead through a Kate Lloyd goal from open play in the 6th minute.

Loreto grew into the game as the quarter progressed and finished the first half strongly.

It remained 1-0 at half-time to Railway Union, however the equaliser came from a well-worked move by Loreto which resulted in Sophie Maxwell finishing from open play in 46th minute.

Heading into the fourth quarter it was still 1-1. And it remained that way until the final hooter, and we were faced with a shoot-out.

Kate Lloyd had to retake her first penalty for Railway Union in the shoot-out, which was probably just as well.

Loreto go on another attack

Having missed the initial effort, she made no mistake with her retake, 1-0 in the shoot out to Railway Union.

Ella Kenny took Loreto’s first and it was saved by Railway Union goalkeeper Jade Arundell so it remained 1-0 to Railway.

Co-captain Hannah Rooney took the second one for Railway and this was saved by Ava Doyle still 1-0 to Railway Union.

Isabelle Kealy scored the second one for Loreto and it was now 1-1 in the shoot out.

Matilde Errico took the third one for Railway Union but Loreto’s goalkeeper was penalised for using the back stick to save it and she was asked to retake the penalty.

Matilde Errico made no mistake from the re-take, Railway Union went 2-1 up in the shoot-out.

Mollie Lennon took the third one for Loreto and scored to make it 2- 2 in the shoot-out.

Leah Warren took the fourth one for Railway Union and missed so it remained 2-2.

Ella Pasley took the fourth one and scored to put Loreto 3-2 up. Claudia Coyne took the fifth one for Railway Union and scored to equalise for Railway Union to make it 3-3 and so it went to sudden death.

In sudden death the team that did the first five penalties first now goes second and vice versa.

First up for Loreto in sudden death was Isabelle Kealy whose effort was saved and it remained 3-3.

Claudia Coyne took the first sudden death effort for Railway and hit the backboards, but the eight seconds allowed had elapsed and it did not count and it remained 3- 3.

Mollie Lennon took the second sudden death penalty for Loreto and scored to put them 4-3 ahead.

Matilde Errico took the third sudden death penalty for Railway Union and scored to equalise it at 4-4.

Ella Pasley took the fourth sudden death penalty for Loreto and scored to put them 5-4 ahead.

Kate Lloyd took the fourth sudden death penalty for RU and scored to put them level at 5-5.

Katie Dunne took the fifth sudden death penalty for Loreto and her shot was saved by Jade Arundell but she used the back stick and Katie Dunne was able to retake it.

Jade Arundell saved the retake legally this time and it was still 5-5 as Railway Union still had to take their final effort.

Co-Captain made no mistake, Railway Union won 6-5 on a shoot-out and are Women’s Irish Junior Cup winners for 2024.