WNL U17 Cup Final Report: Galway WFC 2 - 1 Peamount United

Paul Corcoran reports from Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway WFC have been crowned U17 Women’s National League Cup Champions after a 2-1 win over Peamount United at Eamonn Deacy Park on Sunday afternoon.

An own goal and a header from Saoirse Healey were enough for the side to claim the club’s first title in their history, despite a late rally from Peamount and a goal from Ava Donlan.

Galway were on top for most of the first half and in the opening minutes when Anna Fahey played a great through ball to Kellie Brennan. The winger got to the ball just before Ciara Glackin but had to rush her shot with the keeper bearing down, striking the ball well wide of the post.

Casey Palmer was in impressive form at the back for Peamount and she foiled Galway’s advances on more than one occasion.

In the 16th minute she put pressure on Anna Fahey in the box to force the striker into rushing her chance which she pulled wide of the goal.

Healey went on an impressive run into the box leaving a number of defenders in her wake in the 20th minute and, as she wound up for a shot Palmer managed to lunge in at the last second to block her effort.

It was just a minute later that Peamount went close for the first time of the game. A Della Doherty freekick bounced dangerously in the box and Abbiegayle Ronayne only just managed to get her fingertips to the ball to nudge it behind.

The game settled down for the rest of the half but the wait for an opening goal only extend until the third minute after the interval.

Fiona Owens was unlucky to get the last touch as the ball nestled into her own goal for Galway’s opener.



The midfielder had been keeping Kayla Brady quiet all game, but a dangerous cross into the box from the left flank ended up being turned into Peamount’s goal as Owens and Brady went for the ball.

The Galway Girls doubled their lead in the 52nd minute through the head of Healey. Annie Gough sent the ball into the box from a corner all the way to the back post where the unmarked Healey nodded the ball into the net.

Peamount set up a tense finish as they finally got a foothold in the game with eight minutes to go. A corner from the right hand side from Watkins was met in the crowded box by Ava Donnelan who laid claim to it and forced the ball over the line.

Galway WFC: Abbiegayle Ronayne; Shauna Brennan, Therese Kinnevey, Kate Slevin, Emma O’Donnoghue; Kellie Brennan, Saoirse Healey, Kayla Brady, Jane Trehy, Annie Gough; Anna Fahey (Abbie Callanan, 66).

Subs not used: Hannah Walsh, Hana Uewo, Ciara McManus, Alannah McNeill, Aoibhin Donnelly, Bryna Milton.

Booked: Kate Slevin (20)



Peamount United: Ciara Glackin; Aoife O’Leary (Ciara Marston, 69), Mia Chambers (Eimear Hanlon, 55), Allana Cassells, Casey Palmer; Chloe Smullen (Orla Prendergast, 34), Della Doherty, Fiona Owens, Rebecca Watkins; Rachel McGrath (Hazel Cawley, 40), Abbie Clarke (Ava Dolan, 55).

Subs not used: Emma King.

Booked: Allana Cassells (4)

Referee: Emma Cleary

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Kellie Brennan