Clonmany Shamrocks ladies lose out to Derry City in Foyle Cup final

Derry City controlled the women’s final against Clonmany Shamrocks, as they ran out victors on a 3-0 scoreline to claim the Foyle Cup.

A goal from Chelsea Sheerin, sandwiched by a brace by Caoirse Doherty, earned Derry the victory. 

Clonmany were spirited in their performance, with a number of superb saves by Ciara McDaid keeping her side’s hopes alive until the death along with the offside flag. 

City’s intent was obvious from kick-off, with Derry’s right back, Kaci Deery, bombing down the wing before dragging the ball back to the edge of the penalty area for the striker to shoot towards goal. McDaid saved awkwardly, allowing the rebound to be placed in the net, but it was deemed offside. 

A minute later, Derry made it 1-0 as a lovely through ball from Sheerin between the Clonmany centre-back and left back was perfect for the onrushing Doherty to strike first time into the corner of the goal, leaving McDaid helpless in goal only two minutes into the final. 

Derry controlled proceedings for the first 12 minutes before a poor back pass from City captain Shannon Dunne put Lauren Cregan through one-on-one, but the keeper narrowed the angle quickly and got her body in the way to deny an equaliser. 

Clonmany had their best spell of the game for the next five minutes as they attempted to put Derry under pressure, but in the 18th minute, City made it 2-0. 

A corner was swung into the Clonmany box, and it bounced around in a goalmouth scramble before a cool head from Sheerin turned it goalward, giving the keeper no chance to stop it. 

City continued to control possession and remained wary of the long ball from Clonmany, and just before halftime, they felt they should have had a penalty as Deery crossed the ball into the box, with the ball striking the defender's arm. The lineswoman flagged for the decision, but referee Olga Novozilova overruled and blew for half-time.

The second half roared into action like the first, and in a move similar to the first goal, Doherty was played in on goal by Chelsea Scott. However, unlike her first goal, the right winger was unable to strike the ball past McDaid, with the keeper sticking out her right leg to keep Clonmany in the match. 

The Donegal side were unable to find a rhythm to their play, but they attempted to apply pressure in the 39th minute as they pinned City for a number of corners.

McDaid grew in stature through the second half, as first she denied Derry from a corner before pulling off a wonder save in the 44th minute as Tara O’Connor Farren beared down on goal, but a right leg from the keeper kept the ball out of the net. 

However, with five minutes left after 12 offsides and being denied countless times by McDaid, Derry finally secured their third goal as Kayleigh Carlin crossed the ball from the byline to the six-yard box for Doherty to grab her brace and secure the win.

Derry City:  Naomh Barr; Kaci Deery, Shannon Dunne, Ellie Long, Claragh Quigg; Caoirse Doherty, Caoimhe Walsh, Ellie Redden, Laura Conolly; Chelsea Sheerin, Tara O’Connor Farren

Subs: Caoimhe Breenan, Katie Hargan, Cate Toland, Shania McMonigle, Shantell Temple, Amy McFarland, Chelsea Scott, Ciara McAleer, Kayleigh Carlin

Clonmany Shamrocks: Ciara McDaid; Laura Devlin, Jenna Harkin, Amy McCarron, Alison McGonigle; Julia Grant, Shania McGonigle, Lauren Cregan, Alanah Brennan, Leah McGonigle; Alana Doherty

Subs: Roseanna McConologue, Grace McConologue, Katherine Doherty, Niamh Devlin, Emma Devlin, Katie Harkin, Cathy Doherty