Drinagh Rangers 3

Lyre Rovers 2

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

THERE is no stopping the Drinagh Rangers women’s A team. They have now won a third consecutive West Cork League Women’s Cup and completed a league and cup double.

A repeat of last year’s cup final brought the same outcome, as Drinagh came out on top against Lyre Rovers at Castlelack FC’s home in Brinny on Easter Sunday.

Lyre contributed hugely to an entertaining decider that produced five goals, plenty of tough tackles and a nervy finale. This was Drinagh Rangers’ day, however, and deservedly so, as the Canon Crowley Park club added the WCL Women’s Cup to their league title.

‘This was our first game on grass all season,’ Drinagh manager Mike Doolan told The Southern Star.

‘All our games have been on astro in the Women’s League. We couldn’t complete a training session or anything on grass in the build-up to the final because of the weather.

‘We have 36 registered players, so we expect to win things. Finishing second isn’t in Drinagh Rangers’ nature. We are a winning club for men and women. Runners-up isn’t in our dictionary.

‘It is great that these girls got over the line and won a league and cup double because they are a fantastic bunch.’

Drinagh Rangers' Roisín O'Driscoll battling with Lyre Rovers' Meadhbh Coomey. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

An explosive start saw Rangers hit the front inside four minutes after Lyre were penalised for a handball in their penalty area. That presented Rachel O’Donovan with the opportunity to open the scoring, and she made no mistake from the spot.

Credit to Lyre, who responded positively and came close to an equaliser. Aimee Barrett got on the end of a swift move only to see her goal-bound effort cleared off the line.

Rovers continued to press and should have equalised when Niamh Power connected with Meadhbh Coomey’s cross. Power’s first-time effort cleared the crossbar by inches, but a dominant Lyre did not have to wait long for a leveller. Erica Jennings fired low past Aisling Connolly to make it 1-1 after 17 minutes.

Drinagh, who threatened sporadically, had a Rachel O’Donovan goal ruled out for offside as an engaging final maintained its high tempo. Roisin O’Driscoll and Lorraine O’Neill helped Rangers enjoy a positive spell, but Lyre’s defence, with Amy Burke and Claire Deasy impressing, ensured the score remained level.

Lyre Rovers' Aimee Barrett clears the ball ahead of the challenge of Drinagh Rangers' Katie O'Driscoll. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

The league champions finished the half strongly, stretching their opponents on either wing and looking to release O’Donovan. The forward broke free in first-half injury time only for a last-ditch Amy Burke challenge to ensure the sides changed ends level at 1-1.

Having ended the opening half on the front foot, Drinagh maintained that momentum and retook the lead four minutes after the restart.

A defence-splitting pass sent O’Donovan clear. Lyre goalkeeper Rachel Buttimer rushed out, but her clearance fell to Lorraine O’Neill. The Drinagh striker made no mistake, side-footing into an empty net from just outside the penalty area.

Not content to sit on a 2-1 lead, Drinagh immediately looked to put the final beyond Lyre’s reach. A Rachel Buttimer stop prevented Roisin O’Driscoll from extending the advantage as Rovers struggled to mount a response.

Drinagh captain Aisling Connolly raises the cup. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Despite Lyre’s efforts, it was Drinagh who maintained their slender lead with 25 minutes remaining. A flurry of Lyre corners and free-kicks failed to unlock Drinagh’s defence, with Katie O’Driscoll and Maire O’Driscoll giving little away.

Niamh Power’s 70th-minute delivery caused panic in the Rangers’ area and resulted in three blocked shots in quick succession, but Drinagh stood firm.

Having defended superbly, the champions went route one to net their third and ultimately decisive goal. Aisling Connolly’s booming clearance was seized upon by Roisin Connolly, who raced beyond the Lyre defence and found the bottom corner after 73 minutes.

Connolly then denied Eimear Whelton, but an exciting finale was guaranteed once Lyre pulled a goal back with five minutes remaining. Amy Burke beat Connolly to a lofted pass and forced the ball over the line to make it 3-2.

Rangers lost Katie O’Driscoll to a second yellow card in the dying stages and Lyre looked to make their numerical advantage count. Committed Drinagh defending kept their opponents at bay, however, and the final whistle sparked celebrations for the double winners.

‘You would be hoping this team stays together,’ Doolan concluded.

‘You are going to have retirements and players going off to do different things. Look, I’m just glad that soccer continues to be an outlet for them on a Sunday or at training during the week. They just go out and enjoy themselves.’

OUR STAR: Drinagh Rangers’ Roisin O’Driscoll was the most influential player on the pitch. She covered every blade of grass and scored a goal in her team’s cup final triumph.

Drinagh Rangers: Aisling Connolly (captain), Katie O’Driscoll, Maire O’Driscoll, Marian Murphy McCarthy, Roisin O’Driscoll, Catriona O’Mahony, Rachel O’Donovan, Lorraine O’Neill, Chloe Cadogan, Áine Collins, Katelyn McCarthy.

Subs: Julianne Hayes, Shannon O’Mahony, Caroline Beamish, Niamh Daly.

Lyre Rovers: Rachel Buttimer, Claire Cooke, Laura Cooke, Amy Burke (captain), Claire Deasy, Melissa Wilson, Aimee Barrett, Erica Jennings, Mairead Connolly, Niamh Power, Meadhbh Coomey.

Subs: Ciara Barry, Leah Egan, Eimear Whelton, Caroline Buttimer, Eleanor Rawlinson, Natalia Makowska.

Referee: Martin Coakley.