WFAI Cup final/ Dundalk 1 Peamount Utd 0: This game, played in bitter cold at Lansdowne Road yesterday, was decided by a scrappy goal after 15 minutes from Sonia Hoey.
A free kick from outside the box by Grace Murray was deflected away by the Peamount keeper, Linda Meehan. But when the ball was returned into the box by Claire Mulholland, Hoey was on hand to convert from 10 yards out.
The inclement weather had made the playing surface rather slow but both teams played some attractive football.
Peamount almost equalised on 26 minutes. Rachel Jenkins, who had been very prominent down the right all afternoon, played the ball into Colleen Bushe. But Dundalk defender Clodagh Mulholland made a vital intervention just as Bushe was about to shoot. From Jenkins's resultant corner, the Peamount captain, Aisling Toolan, headed against the crossbar.
Dundalk were clearly intent on defending their lead at this stage, Grace Murray playing with great assurance at left full. It proved a dangerous strategy, but they were lucky Peamount had one of those days in front of goal.
And while Katie Taylor was excellent in the middle for Peamount, they were never able to restore parity. They had a glorious chance on 58 minutes but Aisling Toolan could only direct her header at the keeper.
DUNDALK CITY FC: Pepper; Clodagh Mulholland, Malone, Nevin, Murray; Riordan, Lynch, Nevin, Drumgoole; Hoey, Claire Mulholland. Subs: Nixon for Claire Mulholland (78 mins), Kelly for Riordan (63 mins).
PEAMOUNT UNITED: Meehan; Toolan, Meenagh, Ivanoff, Dunne; Jenkins, Taylor, Bushe, Mulhall; O'Connor, Lawlor. Subs: Shiels for Ivanov (47 mins), McGraw for Mulhall (67 mins), Cowley for Toolan (80 mins).
Referee: H McDermott (Dublin).
