This season saw the club enter two new teams into the Leinster leagues, which we named our Womens 4ths-Team II and Womens 4ths-Team III. These teams provided our great group of 5th Year girls with the opportunity to continue to play together as a group in the adult leagues, with the teams supplemented by some of our under 16s and some more senior players.

One of these newly created teams (our Womens 4ths-Team II) took on Portrane 4ths in the Division 11 / 12 Leinster Cup Final at Grange Road on Sunday 7th April. With our 4ths-Team III having already won the League and earned promotion, the stage was set for the 4ths-Team II to try and complete a Club League and Cup double.

Portrane 4ths had finished 2nd in the higher division and would provide a stern test for the Railway team, all of whom were under 18.

The first quarter saw Railway in the ascendancy with plenty of possession. We created a number of chances with Mary Ethna Lockhart capitalising on one of these in the 9th minute, putting Railway into the lead. In the second quarter Railway continued to create several more chances with surging runs from forwards Lisa Holmes and Anna Kilpatrick and Railway winning a number of short corners.

En route to the final, Portrane had kept clean sheets in all their previous rounds, so we knew that putting away opportunities would not come easily. A combination of good defending and goalkeeping from Portrane together with some inaccurate finishing from Railway meant that the score remained at 1-0.

Portrane came more into the game towards the end of the half and they created some chances of their own. These required several good saves from Chloe Hiles in goals and interceptions and strong tackles from defenders Amelie Gibbons, Allegra McDonald, Georgia Massey, Charlotte Furlong and Lara McGuinness to keep the scoreline unchanged. Half time 1-0 to Railway.

Portrane regrouped over half time and the 3rd quarter saw a resurgent Portrane team put Railway under much pressure and the Railway team struggled at times to get quality possession out of defence and through midfield. Ciara Dixon, Darci Fitzgerald, Ciara Mulcahy and Rachel Howley worked hard in midfield to keep the game in the balance. Portrane’s midfielder Sumeia Llloyd continued to cause problems for Railway with her pace and stick skills. Railway had periods of good play within the quarter with them winning further short corners and creating a few opportunities, but unfortunately these were not converted.

Into the final quarter and as the Portrane press dominated proceedings in early play, a defensive mix up and wayward pass gave Sumeia Llloyd the opportunity to intercept and drive into the circle. She converted the opportunity and the scores were level.

Conceding the goal galvanised the Railway team and the midfield in particular re-exerted their authority as Ciara Dixon, Sarah Walsh, Darci Fitzgerald, Ciara Mulcahy and Rachel Connolly forced several turnovers that lead to circle entries. Mary Ethna continued to lead the front line, supported by Lisa Holmes and sisters Anna and Beth Kilpatrick.

In the final few minutes of the game, the team won four penalty corners including one on the final hooter, but unfortunately did not get their shots on target and so the game ended 1-1. We were on the way to a penalty shoot out.

Railway won the toss and deliberately asked Portrane to go first in the 1v1s. Chloe Hiles, agile in goal as always, showed her good footwork as she saved Portrane’s first attempt, deflecting the ball wide. Lisa Holmes made no mistake, rounding the Portrane goalkeeper to score Railway’s first attempt. All of a sudden the pressure mounted on the Portrane players. A really excellent reverse stick diving save from Chloe was followed by Mary Ethna firing home, putting Railway 2 up.

Another Portrane 1v1 was saved and this meant it was left to Anna Kilpatrick to confidently slot the ball home (see video attached) and make it 3-0 and see Railway victorious. The recent practice of 1v1s in their training sessions had paid dividends in a tightly fought and competitive match played in sporting manner from both sets of players and coaching teams.

Congratulations to the team and to the wider squad who all contributed to the cup run and to a really successful season. Our thanks also go to team coach Brandon Kruger, supported by Georgia Weir McErlean and team manager Maria Dixon, supported by Simon Howley.