Glentoran Women were knocked out of their third cup tournament in as many weeks with this disappointing home defeat in the final group game of the inaugural Avenir Sports All Ireland Cup.
Following yesterday’s results elsewhere, Glentoran knew that only a win today would be enough to get them into the semi-final, There were a number of changes from last week’s tie v Peamount with hat trick hero Caragh Hamilton now departed and Nadene Caldwell on the bench due to a knock picked up in midweek v Linfield. Regular right back Annie Timoney was also injured so Jenna McKearney and Northern Ireland international Sam Kelly both started.
Glentoran got off to a very quick start with Emily Wilson causing havoc on the left side. Though it was Rovers who took the lead against the run of play on 15 minutes when Shannon Coady scored with a superbly executed volley from 10 yards after the ball broke free in the Glens’ box,
Rovers started coming into the game a lot more after the goal. Glentoran still looked the more dangerous though Rovers looked very threatening on the break. It was through one of those breaks down the right that led to Rovers’ second when Missed clearance allowed a through ball and Melissa O’Kane slid it home in the bottom left corner on 30 minutes.
There was little in the way of goalmouth action but Rovers comfortably held their 2-goal lead through to half time.
Glentoran started off the second half with a lot of purpose and quickly halved the Rovers lead when Kerry Beattie lobbed Rovers’ sub keeper on 49 minutes for her 19th goal of the season. Kerry then hit the post almost immediately afterwards as the Glens pushed for an equaliser.
For all their possessions the Glens didn’t create much until Rovers’ third came on 70 minutes’ again from Shannon Coady. This time she latched onto a Hennessy through ball to net.
Glentoran got a lifeline with 5 minutes to go when Demi Vance converted a penalty following a Rovers handball. However, Rovers held onto their lead to send Wexford into the semi as group winners.
So now Glentoran focus is now solely on the 2 major domestic trophies in Northern Ireland. Still plenty to play for.
Glentoran Women: Ellie Scott, Jenna McKearney, Jess Foy (c), Emma McMaster, Kelly Bailie, Demi Vance, Sam Kelly, Chloe McCarron, Joely Andrews, Kerry Beattie, Emily Wilson
Subs: Ashleigh McKinnon (for Scott 81), Sarah Tweedie Kascie Weir (for Bailie 81), Megan Neill (for Kelly 70), Nadene Caldwell, Rebecca Magee (for Beattie 81)
Photography by Johnny Caldwell