Bealnamulla blitz stuns Dublin visitors in foggy cup clash

LFA Women’s Junior Cup: Bealnamulla 5 Leicester Celtic 3

By Eamon A. Donoghue

Bealnamulla came from two goals down against visitors Leicester Celtic to win an exciting, enjoyable game of football at Bealnamulla last Sunday.

On a foggy, cold afternoon, on a perfect surface, the hosts produced a comeback that will live long in the memory, scoring five goals to book their place in the third round of the competition. It was a game that had everything. Early dominance, missed chances, a two-goal sucker punch, a ten-minute blitz that turned the game on its head, and a nervy finish that had home supporters holding their breath until the final whistle.

Bealnamulla had the better of the opening stages, but they lacked that killer instinct in front of goal and were a bit hesitant to pull the trigger. Yasmin Rogers forced the first corner for the hosts in the third minute, a sign of the pressure to come. Former Ireland underage international Jenny Byrne then had a shot rebound off the crossbar, the ball crashing back into play with the Leicester keeper beaten.

Both Rogers and Tara Naughton were threading the passes, dictating play from midfield, and opportunities were being created. It was surely only a matter of time before Bealnamulla scored.

Then, against the run of play, Leicester Celtic struck. The visitors from Rathfarnham gained some momentum, and they scored two goals in as many minutes to silence the home crowd.

First, a cross from the left wing by Tessa Coulthard was met first time by Grace Gilmore, and the ball beat Laoise Kavanagh in the Bealnamulla goal. It was a beautifully worked goal, and a real bolt from the blue.

Moments later, Leicester doubled their lead. After a ball over the top by Coulthard, Victoria Lawlor found herself inside the defence and she finished with aplomb. It was 2-0 to the visitors.

Those two goals were not an accurate reflection of the game but taking your chances is what football is about and Leicester had taken theirs. Yet that was as good as it got for the South Dublin side, a club steeped in history with some famous names having come through their ranks.

The Bealnamulla girls were not looking at laurels or famous names. They had a job to do, they set about it, and Leicester Celtic had no answers for what was to come.

The onslaught started when former Rose of Tralee winner Byrne was fouled from a corner. She picked herself up, dusted herself down, and put the penalty away to one side of Laylah Fitzpatrick. It was the goal Bealnamulla needed, and it lifted the whole team.

Then the hardworking Ciara Corcoran scored after good play by right-back Rebecca Shobiyi, who had pushed forward brilliantly and Corcoran was in the right place at the right time to finish.

Then Corcoran scored again; this time it was an individual goal and a thing of beauty, as the midfielder lobbed the keeper from distance. It was a moment of real quality.

Bealnamulla were not done there. They piled on the pressure, pushed up on their opponents and forced another penalty, this time for handball. Byrne stepped up again and put away the spot kick with great composure.

Suddenly, in a ten-minute burst, from 2-0 down, they were 4-2 up at half-time. It was an incredible turnaround, and one that left Leicester shell-shocked.

After the resumption, Bealnamulla took their foot off the gas slightly. They controlled possession and looked to pounce on the counter. That opportunity came in the 57th minute. A cross by Rogers, who had been a constant threat all afternoon, was met by Alanna Roddy, who scored to make it 5-2.

With the game looking done and dusted, Bealnamulla started to empty the bench. They could have paid the price for taking off players that were playing excellently, like Corcoran and Naughton, but they did pull numbers deep, bringing on Siva Malassou at right-back and debutant Mandisa Ni Chluaid. Both played very well, putting their hands up for selection from the start.

But Bealnamulla possibly made too many substitutions and Leicester Celtic started to get in behind. They could have stolen the game. Maeve McCarthy had an attempt with just the keeper to beat that hit the post, a let-off for the hosts. Erin Pender then cleared another certain goal off the line, showing incredible desire to keep the ball out.

And then a penalty came. Coulthard was fouled and Lawlor scored the spot kick. It made it 5-3 and set up a nervy final few minutes, but Bealnamulla held on. They managed the game slowing up the game to see out the win.

It was a deserved victory in the end. Bealnamulla played better football for long periods, they created more chances, and showed character in abundance after going 2-0 down. For Leicester Celtic, there will be disappointment. They started brilliantly, they took their early chances, and they finished strongly. But they will know that the ten-minute spell before half-time cost them the tie. For Bealnamulla, it’s on to the third round.

Player of the match: Jenny Byrne (Bealnamulla FC). Byrne, a former Republic of Ireland U17 and U19 international, was everywhere. She bossed the middle of the park, covered every blade of grass, won tackles, tracked runners, created chances, and scored two penalties — including the first goal after she had been fouled herself.

Tara Naughton was rock solid at the back, while Ciara Corcoran and Alana Roddy both put in huge shifts, Corcoran with two superb goals and Roddy with the crucial fifth. For Leicester Celtic, Tessa Coulthard was the creator-in-chief with two assists, while Grace Gilmore and Victoria Lawlor were lively up front.

Bealnamulla FC: Laoise Kavanagh, Rebecca Shobiyi, Ljiljana Batricevic, Tara O’Sullivan, Erin Pender, Alanna Roddy, Nichole Kelly, Jenny Byrne, Tara Naughton, Ciara Corcoran, Yasmin Rogers. Subs used: Siva Malassou, Mandisa Ni Chluaid, Tara Beaumont, Shania Ward.

Leicester Celtic: Laylah Fitzpatrick, Sandra Pye, Megan Monaghan, Elaine McLoughlin, Victoria Lawlor, Joanne Maguire, Tessa Coulthard, Roisin Coakley, Eve Colley, Grace Gilmore, Aine Higgins. Subs used: Erica Moonan Roache, Maeve McCarthy, Cecilia Bogado, Aisling Mohan.