NUI Galway captain Chloe Singleton, centre, celebrates with the cup alongside teammates after her side's victory in the CUFL Women's Premier Division final versus Ulster University at Athlone Town Stadium. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile.

Local duo shine in NUIG soccer success

Kieran Galvin

Published: Wed 16 Mar 2022, 1:57 PM

Chloe Singleton from Monksland captained NUI Galway to victory in the Colleges and Universities League Premier Division final at the Athlone Town Stadium recently.

NUI Galway defeated Ulster University 5-4 on penalties after the sides played out a 1-1 draw after extra-time.

NUIG's goal in the game itself was scored by another local player, Ciara McManus from Moate.

After each side had converted their first four spot kicks, NUIG ‘keeper Abbiegayle Ronayne then proved to be the hero with a brilliant save from Rachel McClaren’s fifth penalty. This gave Aoife Lynagh the opportunity to win the game for the Galway side and she kept her cool to beat Lexi Perry to take the title from the previous holders.

McManus opened the scoring in the early stages after a corner broke nicely for the NUIG attacker and former Our Lady's Bower student.

Ulster University needed fine defending by Leah McGonagle and Rachel McClaren to keep out subsequent attempts from Singleton and McManus.

The Ulster outfit equalised in the final minutes when Emma McMaster's shot was blocked and it came out to Leah Robinson to fire low past former Athlone Town goalie Ronayne.

Robinson's goal sent the game into 20 minutes of extra-time with neither side able to conjure a winner and so it came down to the penalty shoot-out.

Eight penalties were put away and then Ronayne stopped Ulster's fifth to hand Lynagh the chance to take the title across the Shannon.