Eastern Women secure dramatic Angela Hearst win

After a six-goal thriller ended level after 90 minutes, both sides notched in extra-time to bring the tie to penalties where Eastern Women's Football League came out on top with the narrowest of final victories at Leah Victoria Park in Tullamore.

It was Limerick WSSL who opened the scoring through Melanie Higgins on the half-hour before Eastern Women’s FL drew level through Susan Vaughan before the break.

Midway through the second-half, Mary Rose Hourigan put Limerick in front again and that lead was extended to 3-1 by the Player of the Match Rebecca Horgan through a thundering 25-yard free-kick with just over 10 minutes to go.

With the victory seemingly secured for Limerick, it was Eastern Women who regrouped and narrowed the margin through Sarah Ryan before a dramatic equalizer came in injury time via Ella Hevey to bring the game to extra-time.

Both teams continued to create chances and it was Eastern Women who took the lead for the first time in the game when Susan Vaughan scored her second of the game five minutes into extra-time.

Remarkably, there was more late drama as the game approached at the end of extra-time as Limerick battled hard for a late equaliser and their efforts were rewarded when Amy O’Halloran arrived at the back-post to head home.

It meant that the game was to be decided by penalties. Both teams converted their first two penalties before Amy Cahill, Eastern Women’s goalkeeper, made a fine save. Her counterpart Rachel Mulvihill, Limerick Women’s goalkeeper, had her time to shine with a fine save which meant penalties went to sudden death and Limerick failed to hit the target.

It meant Katherine Meany had the winning spot-kick for Eastern Women’s and she slotted home for Eastern Women to retain the FAI Women’s Angela Hearst Inter-League Cup.

Player Of The Match: Rebecca Horgan (Limerick Women’s SSL)

Referee: Elaine Casey
Assistant Referee 1: Sarah Dyas
Assistant Referee 2: Katie Hall
Fourth Official: Yvonne O’Neill