Karen Duddy in Tallaght Stadium
Galway United WFC emerged victorious in a nail-biting Avenir All-Island Cup final against Shamrock Rovers Ladies, winning on penalties after a tense and hard-fought match. With both teams locked in a dead heat at full time, the drama intensified under the floodlights as Galway held their nerve in the shootout, securing the cup and defending their title in spectacular fashion.
Nerves from both sides were evident in the opening minutes, resulting in frantic decisions on the ball and loose passes. However, Rovers managed to settle well and take the upper hand throughout the opening 45. They set the intensity from the start and held Galway to a high level of physicality, to which the Tribeswomen matched.
Rovers won three corners in the first half, each of which was cleared by the United defence. The Hoops did well to maintain the Tribeswomen as they attacked, where United’s diamond shape didn’t appear to work. The long balls hoping to find Irish International Julie-Ann Russell rendered fruitless as Russell was kept quiet for the majority, becoming frustrated.
“I think it was going to be a case of ‘who is going to adapt’? And to be fair to Rovers, they adapted and changed their shape a bit – caused us a lot of problems," said United manager Phil Trill after the game.
The second half saw Galway take more command of the game, winning frees in key areas and moving the ball better. Their build-up play reaped a reward in the form of their biggest chance of the game - a speedy run by Rola Olusola to cut in at the end line and swing it across to substitute Aoibheann Costello who was unmarked at the edge of the box. With a brilliant first touch, Costello's shot looked headed for goal as it just clipped the crossbar.
71 nóim #AllIslandCup
@RoversWomen 0@GalwayUnitedFC 0
An trasnán buailte ag Aoibheann Costello 😮
Costello with a rocket of a shot for Galway United FC but hits the crosspost!!
BEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV @AVENIRSPORTS @LoiWomen pic.twitter.com/nc6LJezWGM— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) August 17, 2024
Yet Rovers were still in the game, and responded well to the United momentum. Their significant chance came less than 10 minutes later when captain Áine O'Gorman slipped the ball to substitute Stephanie Zambra. Connecting well, her shot flew to the bottom corner where goalie Jess Berlin provided a crucial save to put it wide.
85 nóim #AllIslandCup
@RoversWomen 0@GalwayUnitedFC 0
Sábháil iontach ag Jessica Berlin do Gaillimh Aontaithe 🧤
Galway United FC with a narrow escape.
BEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV @AVENIRSPORTS @LoiWomen pic.twitter.com/XcOM7TVwnf— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) August 17, 2024
Neither side could shake the net before the final whistle blew. The teams lined out along the halfway line and the tensions heightened across the park. It was 2-2 before a penalty was disturbed, where Hoops goalie Amanda Budden punched Jenna Slattery's effort away. The home crowd roared in excitement - could it be silverware for Shamrock Rovers Ladies for the first time since 2001?
But the mighty Berlin put in a huge save in the fourth round to even the sides at 3 a-piece. Scarlett Herron was next for the green and whites. With pressure at a peak, she sent her penalty wide of the goalposts and with it, Rovers' hopes. With the upper hand, Jamie Erickson stood up for Galway. Calmly slotting it in the bottom right corner, Budden looked on as it crossed the line and secured Galway their victory.
Ciceanna Éirice #AllIslandCup
@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— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) August 17, 2024
"I’m so proud to be part of this group and this club, all the girls here, it’s a real honour to be part of this group. I think it comes down to the belief and wow, Jess Berlin – 2 penalty saves – she’s the star of the show here again. Semi-final she did the exact same thing, she’s unbelievable in the run of play and then in penalties she’s something else," spoke Erickson post-game.
"Penalty shootouts are really stressful, but honestly like I’ve said before - I love them. Because there’s no pressure on me as a keeper – if I save a ball, I’ve saved it, but it’s not on me if it goes in or not. We’ve been in multiple penalty shootouts with this team so I have the utmost confidence in every single one of those girls and I also really enjoy doing them," reflected keeper Berlin after her team lifted the trophy.
Trill was beaming with pride over his team and their journey so far.
It feels amazing [to defend the title]. It probably hasn’t really sunk in. The initial reaction was amazing, kind of a euphoria, but it’ll probably take a day or two to reflect on it. It’s an amazing achievement. We’re only 18 months along our journey here with Galway United and we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved thus far and there’s more to come.
Overall it was a fantastic game and fair play to Rovers. It’s such a difficult one to lose on penalties, especially in front of your home crowd so I’ve a lot of time for them. They try and play football the way I believe it should be played and they’re worthy opponents tonight.
The defenders proved to be last night’s stars of the show, with Rovers’ centre back Jessica Hennessy winning Player of the Match as herself and her backline worked tirelessly to prevent the runs of Russel and Jenna Slattery. While on the other hand, Therese Kinnevey and Eve Dossen featured heavily for the 90 minutes, neutralising the plethora of attacks that came their way.
Trill praised his defence and his team's mentality.
I think there’s a good balance there [in the backs] and it fed the whole way throughout the team. We worked really, really hard. We defended as a team and credit to Rover they made us do that from the start.
I didn’t [say anything before the penalties]. I didn’t say anything. That’s the beauty of this team, they’re growing every week and they’re getting more confident with their own voice. That’s what they did. It didn’t matter what happened in penalties – I’m so proud of how they performed.
Galway will hope to take this form and confidence back into the league where they currently sit in third place behind Athlone Town and Shelbourne, but with games in hand. As for Rovers, they will be bitterly disappointed to have come so close to the win. However, they showed promising stuff on a big stage that will stand to them for the rest of the season.
