Match of the Week: Peas prevail in historic battle with Rathcoole

In what marked the very first DDSL Girls Cup Final to be staged in the near 79-year history of the league, Peamount fought back from a goal down to force extra time and ultimately penalties in which they prevailed.

While it was Rathcoole who drew first blood, they did have their goalkeeper, Caitlin Troy to thank for keeping the match scoreless early on.

Indeed, she crucially got her hand to Frey Reddington’s effort from a tight angle before then parrying away Leah Walsh’s strike across goal as Peamount looked to make the early running.

Instead it was Rathcoole who nipped in front eight minutes in when Mia Norman weaved her way through several challenges before unloading a fine strike to the target.

Celebrations were short-lived, however, as Rathcoole, soon after, lost the services of right full, Abigail Kelly after she sustained a broken collarbone when challenging for a loose ball.

Rathcoole played their part in a historic Under 14 Jack Blakely Cup Final

Peamount began to turn the screw a little after the break with Cara Blake’s effort travelling narrowly wide of the mark, yet, still they were proving susceptible to the Rathcoole counter.

Both Emma Dowling and Sophie Flannery broke through the Peamount cover on a couple of occasions in the second period and it was only some last-ditch defending by Ruby Dodd, Faye Cooney and Eabha Dowling that prevented them from adding a second for their team.

They were to prove crucial challenges that Peamount capitalised on as they restored parity with just 10 minutes remaining.

A fine team move saw Aoife Hennessy play the ball out to Dodd on the right and she whipped in a delivery on to which Sophie Carberry ran – her connection seeing the ball across Troy and into far corner.

Aoife Hennessy keeps her eye on the ball with Leah Conlon in close attendance

It was a blow for Rathcoole, who had appeared to be on course for their first win over the Peas’ in three attempts this season – nothing more than a solitary goal separating the two sides on all counts.

And Sunday’s cup decider was to prove the tightest encounter yet, and one that Rathcoole might well have clinched had they been that bit more fortunate in front of goal, particularly in extra time.

Indeed the team looked set to retake the lead when they were awarded a penalty after Sophie Harford’s strike was handled in the box.

Norman stepped up to take responsibility for the spotkick, but the Rathcoole goal scorer, who had been superb all day, put a little too much air under her attempt, allowing Peamount very much off the hook.

Peamount United’s Freya Reddington and Rathcoole’s Sophie Harford go shoulder-to-shoulder

The Newcastle outfit almost punished soon after when Reddington sliced through the Rathcoole rearguard, but goalkeeper, Troy was out off her line to smother the threat.

The midfield battle between two exhausted sides raged on with Aoife Hennessy and Izzy Hayden outstanding for Peamount while Emma Hudecova was also superb at outside left for United who were without Alesha O’Toole – another player who had a major impact on the team’s campaign.

Meanwhile, Emma Carron’s huge contribution to Rathcoole’s cause was underscored by the fact that she had to be withdrawn two minutes from the end after both her calves went into spasm and locked up.

Rathcoole’s Emma Carron battles it out with Isabelle Hayden

And still there was time for Rathcoole to almost snatch the win after they were awarded a free kick some 25 yards out from goal, Norman again stepping up for this set-piece that saw her strike cannon off the framework.

It was to prove the very last action of an epic decider as the match official’s whistle signalled the dreaded shootout in which the Peamount players demonstrated nerves of steel.

Indeed Reddington, Aoife Hennessy, Cara Blake and Leah Walsh all converted their attempts from the spot while goalkeeper, Juliet Hartford, who had been introduced for the impressive Hazel McKenna, made one stop to help see her team to a historic cup, dedicated to the memory of former Leinster Football Association Chairperson, Jack Blakely and presented to Peamount by his daughter, Maura.