'She showed incredible determination - it speaks volumes of her as a person'

Bonagee United have paid tribute to the commitment shown by Eva Harvey, who lined out for the club last Sunday having lost her grandmother less than 24 hours beforehand.

Eva played right wing-back in the quarter-final of the FAI Women’s Amateur Cup in the 3-1 win over Ballingarry from Limerick at Dry Arch Park, thanks to goals from Caoimhne Heron, Geraldine McLaughlin and Bronagh Gallagher.

Seventeen-year-old Loreto student Eva is the granddaughter of the late Imelda Harvey, from Burneside House, Drumnahoagh, Bonagee, who sadly passed away on Saturday and was laid to rest at New Leck Cemetery on Monday following requiem mass at The Church of the Irish Martyrs.

Relaced in the closing stages, Eva was heartily congratulated by all on the Bonagee bench, and her appearance was mentioned afterward.

“We said it in the post-match huddle there,” manager Chris McNulty said following the match. “They are a very close family - a big Bonagee United family. Her grandmother died on Saturday and she text me and the first thing she said was ‘I’m available to play.’ I went to the house last night as I just wanted to speak to her face to face, with her dad Keith, who is involved in underage coaching here.

“There was no question of her playing and she was not going to miss this game. It was entirely her own decision and having lost someone that close can affect your emotions and she went out there and did brilliantly. She missed the guts of two years with an ankle injury and for a young girl of her age, she showed incredible wherewithal and determination. It speaks volumes of her as a person.”

Bonagee also made a presentation of flowers to two players who had to sit out Sunday’s game - captain Kanisha McKinney recently underwent an ACL operation and the expectant Niamh Mailey.

The victory means a second-ever Bonagee appearance in the last four of the FAI Women’s Amateur Cup, having reached the last four last season. They are hopeful of a home draw and Sunday’s success has also guaranteed a spot in the FAI Women's Senior Cup.