LAST UPDATE | 22 Jun
WEXFORD FC YOUNGSTER Freya De Mange scored directly from a restart as her side advanced to the semi-finals of the All-Island Cup this afternoon.
Wexford beat Linfield 3-2 in Belfast, while Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers also progressed to the last four after their respective wins today. Shels enjoyed a 2-1 come-from-behind victory against Athlone Town at Tolka Park, and Rovers were 3-0 winners over Peamount United 3-0 at Tallaght Stadium.
Ceola Bergin broke the deadlock for Wexford at Midgley Park after 12 minutes, before Keri Halliday made it 1-1 two minutes later.
But directly from the subsequent restart, De Mange lobbed the Linfield goalkeeper from the halfway line with a simply stunning strike:
🎥 | GOAL!
— LOI Women (@LoiWomen) June 22, 2024
FREYA DE MANGE! 🔥
Just after Keri Halliday equalised for Linfield, De Mange strikes straight from the kick off 😮 #AllIslandCup | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/b9FFa9u3zT
Áine Walsh then put Wexford 3-1 up just before the break.
Halliday pulled one back on the hour-mark, but Wexford held on to prevail.
There were other positives for the visitors: Grace Fitzpatrick-Ryan returned after a year out with an ACL injury, while Rianna Jarrett stepped up her own comeback as another second-half substitute.
Meanwhile, Noelle Murray was on the double in Shelbourne’s win over Athlone.
Casey Howe opened the scoring in the 15th minute in Drumcondra, but star striker Murray restored parity on the stroke of half time.
Her winner arrived in the 78th minute, as she kept her cool in a one-on-one situation and fired Shels into the semi-finals. Eoin Wearen’s side remain unbeaten in all competitions this season, and this was the league leader’s ninth win on the bounce.
Shamrock Rovers enjoyed a 3-0 in over Peamount United in the later kick-off.
Lauren Kelly’s opener made it 1-0 at the break, and she went from scorer to provider as Áine O’Gorman hit the back of the net with 15 minutes to go. Lia O’Leary wrapped up the win late on as the Hoops bounce back from their difficult start to the season.
Galway United continue their All-Island Cup title defence against Treaty United in the last quarter-final next weekend. The winners play Wexford, while Shels and Shamrock Rovers go head-to-head in the other semi-final.
Elsewhere today, Lauryn McCabe — the younger sister of Ireland captain Katie — scored eight goals in Rovers U17s’ win over Finn Harps.
