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Galway end Carn girls' hopes
FAI Ladies Intermediate Cup 25.06.08

Carndonagh...1
(Zoe Doherty 8)

Ashe Rovers...2
(Jessica Greene 65; Susie Cunningham 90)

Story: Inishowen Independent

COMING into this last 32 tie in the FAI Ladies Intermediate Cup, Carndonagh must have fancied their chances. In the opening round they demolished Westport United of Mayo in highly impressive fashion with a convincing 5-0 win. However a repeat was not on the cards on a very wet Sunday in Carndonagh. A mixture of bad luck, poor conditions, superior opponents and absences of some key players cost Niall McGuinness’ charges.
The game started brightly for Carndonagh when Zoe Doherty almost got through but for a good tackle by Nicola Leonard. The home side didn’t have to wait too long for their opener and Zoe Doherty claimed it with only eight minutes on the clock. A break from defence fell to Doherty who still had plenty to do but finished well past Flaherty in the Ashe Rovers goal. Doherty almost got through again but Leonard did well to intercept.
The away side came back with Roisin Bonner almost turning in a cross from Carol Mannion only to see her effort cleared off the line by Caroline Kelly. Kelly was called into action again clearing Susie Cunningham’s attempted through ball. Carndonagh hit back with Zoe Doherty hitting just wide and having a free kick held by Flaherty. The home side came even closer when Deirdre Foley caught Flaherty off her line but her shot sailed agonisingly wide.

Ashe Rovers had their chances also with Jessica Greene having a header well saved by Treasa Doherty and Roisin Bonner sending a corner wide. The away side’s best chance to level came in the latter stages of the half when Breda Fallon unleashed a snapshot but Treasa Doherty saved well.
Rovers were unlucky to start the second half behind and they made the brighter start with Breda Fallon, Marion Murray and Jessica Greene all having efforts. The away side were piling on the pressure and a good run from Rosin Bonner brought an equally good save from Treasa Doherty.
The away side’s pressure paid off on 65 minutes when they equalised. A long ball in by Paula Kelly was dropped by Doherty in the Carn goal and Jessica Greene took fully advantage to bring the Galway side back into the game. Ashe Rovers looked like the more likely victors and their attackers gave the Carn defence no breaks. Carndonagh were working hard also but Zoe and Denise Doherty were having a difficult time against the away backline.
The closing moments were tremendously dramatic as both sides came within inches of winning the tie. First Rovers Marion Murray dispossessed Carn’s Danielle Gordon and unleashed a thunderbolt of a shot that must have taken the paint off the crossbar. Zoe Doherty almost won the match for Carndonagh after latching on to a long ball but her shot cannoned off the post.
With extra time looking inevitable Ashe Rovers produced a peach of a goal to end Carn’s hopes of progression. A seemingly innocuous ball from midfield found its way to Susie Cunningham who struck an excellent half volley that gave Doherty in the Carn goal no chance. A disappointing defeat for Carndonagh but with a bit more luck next year McGuinness’ girls could be a force to be reckoned with.

Carndonagh: Treasa Doherty, Michelle Doherty, Agnes Doherty, Caroline Kelly, Lisa Doherty (Danielle Gordon), Kate Roddy, Anita Doherty, Aisling Newton, Denise Doherty, Zoe Doherty, Deirdre Foley. Sub: Grainne Byrne

Ashe Rovers: Angela Flaherty, Cianna Greene (Yvonne McHugh), Marie Martin, Paula Kelly, Nicola Leonard, Breda Fallon, Roisin Bonner, Marion Murray, Susie Cunningham, Jessica Greene, Carol Mannion.


For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent.
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