GALWAY UNITED HAVE retained their All-Island Cup title after eventually getting the better of Shamrock Rovers after a penalty shootout.
Jamie Erickson converted the decisive spot kick for Galway United after Scarlet Herron had just sent her effort wide for Rovers.
Penalties were required to determine a winner after the tie finished 0-0 in normal time. Both sides struck the woodwork in a desperate attempt to break the deadlock. Galway substitute Aoibheann Costello was unfortunate not to score from a curling effort shortly after being introduced on 62 minutes.
Stephanie Zambra, who came on in the 85th minute, was also agonisingly close to finding the target only for her shot to crash off the post from 25 yards.
Ciceanna Éirice #AllIslandCup
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) August 17, 2024
@RoversWomen ✅✅✅❌❌@GalwayUnitedFC ✅✅❌✅✅
Comhghairdeas le Gaillimh Aontaithe! 👏
Galway United FC are Avenir Sports All-Island Cup Final 🎉
BEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV @AVENIRSPORTS @LoiWomen pic.twitter.com/VQz0spH4Ia
Zambra then stepped up in the shootout to slot the first penalty for Rovers. Therese Kinnevey scored for Galway before Áine O’Gorman restored parity. Two more goals followed along with two saves as Jenna Slattery (Galway United) and Joy Ralph (Rovers) were both denied.
Aisling Meaney then levelled matters before Herron’s wide paved the way for Erickson to deliver back-to-back success for Galway United.
Meanwhile, in the SSE Women’s Premier Division, Athlone Town defeated Shelbourne 2-1 in a top-of-the-table clash at Tolka Park. Brenda Ebika Tabe and Kerryann Ryan scored Athlone’s goals in the come-from-behind victory, after Jemma Quinn had put the hosts in front. Chloe Singleton suffered a serious injury blow for the Midlanders. Peamount United and Wexford drew 1-1; Áine Walsh and Becky Watkins with the first-half goals.
And elsewhere in the men’s FAI Cup, UCD booked their place in the quarter-finals after a shock 2-0 win over Sligo Rovers. Luke O’Regan and Adam Wells provided the goals late in the second half.
What a hit O'Regan!
— FAIreland (@FAIreland) August 17, 2024
UCD have stunned The Showgrounds and are now 2-0 ahead!#FAICup | #SLIUCD pic.twitter.com/s8hhNnrSTB
