Teenage kicks: Caitlin Fletcher's winner seals FAIW Amateur Cup spot for Bonagee

Sixteen-year-old Caitlin Fletcher was the Bonagee United hero in scoring a dramatic late extra-time winner against Killester Donnycarney to seal a first-ever appearance in the final of the FAI Women’s Amateur Cup.

Bonagee United 2-1 Killester Donnycarney (after extra-time)

Chris McNulty’s side fell behind in the first half to a goal from Naomi Flynn and managed to get on terms in the second period when captain Ciana Brogan led by example to drill home. However, as can be the case in the semi-finals, there was a tension in the air as the contest drifted past the 90-minute mark and deep into extra-time. 

It looked for all intents and purposes that it would come down to penalties, only for the interjection of substitute Fletcher. The freshest player on the field having only been introduced seven minutes beforehand for Caoimhne Herron, who had run herself into the ground having picked up a knock early in the second half, sealed the deal.

Fletcher only joined the senior team at Bonagee last month and had spent most of the afternoon alongside her mother Catherine - another Bonagee substitute - and cooly dispatched the decisive goal with just three minutes of extra-time to play. 

At that stage, whatever the outcome, with both sides having put so much into it, it was going to be the contrasting emotions of delight and dejection. 

In what seemed like an eternity before, it was the Dubliners who had taken the lead with 34 minutes played. Flynn drove past Roisin McCafferty from the edge of the area, although the Bonagee netminder had got two hands on the shot, following a headed clearance from Catherine Grier. 

A Sarah Murray run for the visitors had taken McCafferty to the left of her penalty area initially and although the situation looked to have chilled itself, Killester Donnycarney took full advantage to earn the lead.

Before that, Brongagh Gallagher was just out of luck for Bonagee, when she latched onto a Zara Shortt pass on the left and cut inside before placing the ball across goal but narrowly wide. Gallagher also was denied by Shaun Whelan in the Killester Donnycarney goal in a one-on-one situation. Early on, Flynn fizzed a shot just off target of McCafferty’s goal. 

Not that it was on their minds there and then, but participation in the semi-finals meant places in the senior cup for both. Bonagee will take on Sligo Rovers and Killester Donnycarney were paired with Shamrock Rovers.

Back at the here and the now,  10 minutes into the second half, Bonagee got back on terms when Brogan picked up a loose ball 20 yards from goal and worked enough space to shoot low into the bottom corner past Whelan. Killester Donnycarney’s players - not for the first or last time - had complained about a foul throw in the lead-up. 

McCafferty smothered well from Alix McNally from a good move by Killester Donnycarney, which saw Lyndsey Carroll work the ball wide and Natalie Walsh provide the inviting centre. 

Both teams had reason to sigh relief in the closing stages of the 90. Firstly, referee Terence Moyne adjudged that an intercepting touch by Caitlin Hume that was gathered by McCafferty was a back pass. From the indirect free-kick from inside the area that followed, Niamh Hennessy laid off to Laura Chambers, who shot over.

Then, at the other end, in the 89th minute, Herron’s touch got Gallagher in around the back and having beat the offside trap placed her shot just to the right as Whelan narrowed the angle.

Extra-time was a nervous affair with neither side wanting to wilt and the closest either came in the first period was when Walsh’s corner was headed onto the roof of the Bonagee net by substitute Laura Donnelly.

In the second, goalmouth action was still at a premium until the 107th minute when Deborah Kerrigan dug out an excellent cross from the left and Fletcher took a touch before planting the goal of her life from eight yards to the roar of the day. A final spot against Terenure Rangers awaits.

Bonagee United: Roisin McCafferty; Catherine Grier, Amy Thompson (Caitlin Hume 77), Eimear Sweeney; Eva Harvey, Ciana Brogan, Amanda Callaghan, Siobhan Sweeney, Zara Shortt (Deborah Kerrigan 77); Caoimhne Herron (Caitlin Fletcher HT, ET), Bronagh Gallagher.
Killester Donnycarney: Shauna Whelan; Katrina Lawless, Shauna Lyndon, Lyndsey Carroll; Natalie Walsh, Naomi Flynn, Katherine Meaney (Simmone Riley 85), Sarah Murray; Laura Chambers, Niamh Hennessy (Martina Warren FT), Alix McNally.
Referee: Terence Moyne.