Letterkenny Institute of Technology booked a place in the next round of the WSCAI Kelly Cup as they overcame Storm Diana and UCD at the Port Road.
Letterkenny Institute of Technology 2 UCD 1
By Chris McNulty at LyIT
Conditions were as trying and testing as could be, but first-half goals from Zoe Green and Nicole Gordon fired Johnny Baird’s in-form team to an excellent win.
Having drawn 0-0 with UCD at Belfield on their way to topping their Premier section, LyIT were deserving winners here, even if they couldn’t put the Dubliners to bed.
Amy Guilfoyle levelled after Green’s penalty set LyIT on their way, but Gordon’s cool finish on 32 minutes won the day and the game for the hosts.
There was a 45 minute delay to the game as UCD’s bus broke down THREE times on route to Letterkenny, with the visitors having to eventually change to a different vehicle.
The remnants of Storm Diana battered the Port Road campus, but the participants still managed to serve up an entraining Cup tie.
LyIT wasted no time in setting a tone. Zoe McGlynn’s inviting cross from the right was met by the stretching Lauren Cregan, but the attacker just couldn’t get enough on it.
After a series of corner kicks, LyIT were awarded a penalty when Cregan had the foot taken from under her as she went to have a shot. Green stepped up and cooly dispatched from the sport.
The lead lasted only five minutes as Guilfoyle stole away from Erin Coll, rounded Aoife McColgan and tucked home to draw level.
But LyIT shoot their heads clear.
McGlynn shot just over and Green was denied by the fingertips of the UCD ‘keeper.
McGlynn weaved her way into the area and got a shot away, but perhaps could have taken another touch or two to steady herself.
The home side regained the lead when Cregan turned possession over and her cross found Gordon. The midfielder took one touch and, with her second, pushed the ball into the bottom corner.
Cregan, released by a delicious Green through ball, was inches from making it 3-1 before the break, but Aoife Fennell hacked off the goal line.
McColgan bravely saved at the foot of UCD’s Meghan Riordan with a warning that they weren’t going to go quietly. It was a vital intervention by McColgan to keep LyIT ahead by the skins of their teeth.
Amy Hyndman, who had an excellent game out on the left for LyIT, was presented with a chance when she combined with Rachel McLaughlin, but Hyndman’s shot was off target.
Gordon tested the goalkeeper from long-range and McGlynn saw another attempt dip just a fraction too late.
Letterkenny Institute of Technology: Aoife McColgan; Aisling Nee (Amanda Callaghan 81), Erin Coll (Vanessa McHugh 56), Chantel Kelly, Amy Hyndman; Zoe McGlynn, Nicole Gordon, Zoe Green, Aishleen McGuinness (Eilish Havlin 70), Rachel McLaughlin (Ciara Harkin 86); Lauren Cregan.
UCD: Janelle James; Rebecca Lenihan, Aoife Fennell (Kate Mulvey 78), Saoirse Comerford-Liston, Isobelle Jackson (Laura Farell 45); Sarah Slone, Sinead Gaynor, Molly Nason, Olivia Flanagan, Meghan Riordan; Amy Guilfoyle.
Referee: Vincent McLoughlin.
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