Illies Celtic made swift work of Lagan Harps to collect the Ulster Senior Women’s Cup this evening at Dry Arch Park.
Illies Celtic 7 Lagan Harps 1
The North West Women’s Super League champions, who have blitzed all before them in the League this season, eased to victory after taking some time to break the resistance of a stubborn Lagan, who were unfortunate to be 3-1 behind at half-time.
Paula McGrory’s hat-trick helped John Doherty’s team on their way to a second piece of silverware in four days – after they were officially presented with the League crown on Thursday following a 6-1 win over Bonagee United.
Michelle McDaid (2), Caroline Gallagher and Kirsty Downey netted too as the Inishowen side coasted.
In the evening sun, it was Lagan who started the brighter and Bríd McGinty’s team might well have been ahead long before they found themselves behind in the 20th minute.
Illies captain Teresa Coyle is presented with the Ulster Cup by Dessie Kelly
Amy Boyd shot too high in the early exchanges before Illies ‘keeper Aoife McColgan got in behind to cut out the advances of the pacy Nakita Burke.
McColgan denied Burke again with a fine save, but Illies turned the tables with their first attack.
McGrory, from the right corner of the penalty box, eyed up the target and a cross-cum-shot flew beyond Deirde McDaid and into the side of the Lagan net for the opening goal.
Illies had found their mojo and it took a good block to prevent Downey from adding to the lead after McGrory sped away.
But they doubled the advantage when McGrory forced home in a goal-mouth scramble.
And with Lagan still counting their misfortune Illies broke with deadly intent and McDaid superbly tucked home number three.
Lagan were given a lifeline four minutes before half-time when Zoe Green’s ball from the left wing deceived McColgan and nestled in the onion bag.
McDaid and Alison McGonagle tested ‘keeper McDaid, but Illies put the game beyond doubt when McGrory and Downey turned home in quick succession early in the second half.
Illies were on a mission and Gallagher netted from long range before McGonagle got in on the act with a well-worked seventh.
McGrory might’ve made the ordeal even greater and wasn’t far away with a fine attempt with the clock running down.
Illies Celtic: Aoife McColgan; Claire Doherty, Teresa Coyle, Aisling Gillespie; Deirdre Grant, Kirsty Downey, Alana Doherty, Alison McGonagle, Caroline Gallagher; Michelle McDaid, Paula McGrory. Subs used: Louise Devlin, Kerrie Kelly, Paula O’Donnell, Chloe Kildea, Mary McKinney.
Lagan Harps: Deirdre McDaid, Eimear McClafferty, Chantel Kelly, Aine Deasley, Zoe Green; Amy Boyd, Danielle McDevitt, Nadine Crawford, Amanda Callaghan; Laura Gallagher, Nakita Burke. Subs used: Bronagh Gallagher, Annette Pearson, Casey Barrett.
Referee: Con McLaughlin.
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