Goalkeeper Courtney Gallagher and captain Shannon Cunningham were the heroes of the hour as Lagan Harps overcame Illistrin FC in the Terry Leyden Under-14 League play-off at Leckview Park on Wednesday evening.
Lagan Harps 0 Illistrin FC 0 (after extra time, Lagan won 2-0 on penalties)
Gallagher saved two penalties in the shoot-out while Cunningham – who was outstanding throughout the game at the heart of the Lagan defence – fired home the winning spot kick.
An tough, absorbing contest always seemed likely to go the distance, given these sides had already played out two scoreless draws on their way to finishing joint top of the League.
And there was nothing to separate them in either normal time or extra time and it was down to the penalties, where Lucy Canning and Cunningham found the net for Lagan, while Gallagher touched onto onto the bar and beat away another.
Dessie Kelly presents Shannon Cunningham with the trophy
The game itself had been a typically tense affair.
Maria Kealy had a cracking shot for Illistrin fly over the top, while at the other end, Illistrin ‘keeper Orla Corry kept Lagan at bay.
Gallagher saved an awkward attempt from Jodie McFadden that almost caught the Lagan netminder out, while Rebekah McGlinchey – who netted the winner on Saturday when Illistrsin defeated Finn Valley in the U14 Cup final – headed narrowly over at the far post.
Lagan saw Canning give them a good outlet down the right while the ever-lively Gaby O’Donnell, Harriett McCrossan and Jessica Leese offered plenty of threat, but Illistrin held firm.
Kealy was close again when she riffled over from Aislinn Coll’s centre, while Gallagher came out to save from the feet of Kealy soon after.
The Lagan Harps squad await the presentation
Gallagher’s fingertips prevented McGlinchey from scoring in extra time while she also saved from Erika Gallagher in that period.
Lagan could thank player of the match Cunningham for an excellent display at centre-back – and it was she who came up with the winning penalty.
Lagan Harps: Courtney Gallagher, Lucy Canning, Erin Doherty, Shannon Cunningham, Maria Bonner, Orla McGrath, Niamh Monaghan, Serena McCrossan, Harriett McCrossan, Gaby O’Donnell, Jessica Leese. Subs: Clodagh Sweeney, Rhianna Devenney, Chelsea Dowds, Aoife Sweeney, Niamh Sweeney, Emma Gribben.
Illistrin FC: Orla Corry, Zoe McFadden, Megan McDaid, Aibhe McDaid, Maria Kealy, Erika Gallagher, Aobha Gallagher, Marie Rushe, Jodie McFadden, Rebekah McGlinchey, Aislinn Coll. Subs: Aoibhin Randles, Nicole McDaid, Ciara Molloy, Ciara Doherty, Leah Afxentiou, Orla Gallagher, Alisha Tobin.
Referee: Liam McLaughlin.
FIXTURES
Saturday, September 2 at Aura Leisure Centre, U12 finals
11.30am Port Bingo Shield Mulroy (M) v Mulroy (S)
12.30pm Rosebowl Kilmacrennan v Bonagee
1.30pm Highland Bakery Cup Lagan v Illistrin
2pm Plate Gweedore Celtic v Swilly Rovers
Monday, September 4 at Finn Valley Centre
6.30 Plaque Gweedore United v Finn Valley
Monday, September 11, 6.30pm
Under-12 League play-off, at Leckview Park
Lagan Harps v Illistrin FC
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