Bronagh Gallagher treble books Bonagee spot in quarter-finals

Bronagh Gallagher was the hat-trick hero again as Bonagee United booked a place in the quarter-finals of the FAI Women’s Amateur Cup.

Bonagee United 5 Manulla 2

Gallagher’s treble and goals by Caoimhne Heron and Geraldine McLaughlin saw Bonagee past Mayo outfit Manulla and into the last eight.

It had been a tough weekend for Gallagher, who arrived at Dry Arch Park having done a reading at the funeral of her great-uncle Willie Boyle in Creeslough.

Just three minutes in, Gallagher took a pass from Ciana Brogan and hammered to the net to give Chris McNulty’s side the lead.

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The visitors, former Intermediate Cup winners, rattled the Bonagee crossbar in the 13th minute with a warning that they mightn’t go quietly.

Heron and Gallagher combined we’ll in the 20th minute only for a slightly overhit pass thwarting Gallagher.

Late in the half, Heron saw a shot saved and held by the Manulla ‘keeper.

Ten minutes into the second half, Tracey Hall slid past Catherine Fletcher to draw Manulla level.

However, Bonagee retook the lead within two minutes, Heron latching onto a pass from the outstanding Catherine Grier to score.

Just after the hour, Gallagher’s excellent side-foot finish from Eva Harvey’s cross put two between the sides.

Gallagher completed her hat-trick in style, hammering in a free kick from the left-hand edge of the penalty area.

Gallagher had a hand in the fifth, too, getting the penultimate touch after Heron did the spadework with McLaughlin, back in the Bonagee colours again, applying the finish.

In added time, Hall netted a second for Manulla, but it was a mere footnote in the tale with Bonagee already looking forward to the quarter-finals by then.

Bonagee United: Catherine Fletcher; Catherine Grier, Amy Thompson, Caitlin Hume; Eva Harvey, Eimear Sweeney, Ciana Brogan, Natalie McFadden, Siobhan Sweeney; Caoimhne Heron, Bronagh Gallagher. Subs used: Mollie Page, Amanda Callaghan, Amy Callaghan, Geraldine McLaughlin.