LETTERKENNY Institute of Technology overcame IT Blanchardstown in the O’Regan Cup quarter-final in soaking conditions at the Port Road.
Letterkenny Institute of Technology 5 IT Blanchardstown 1
By Charlie Collins at LyIT
Tara O’Connor’s hat-trick and goals from Zoe Green and Mary Jane Doherty saw Johnny Baird’s through to the semi-finals. The competition semi-finals and finals take place in Waterford on March 24 and 25.
LyIT were on top from the off. It took a good save by Blanchardtsown goalkeeper Naoishe McAloone from the lively Zoe Green.
The ever-dangerous Green was just off target in the 18th minutes after Hannah Shields put her through.
McAloone then denied Lauren Cregan, who will feel she should have scored, just two minutes later.
Cregan put Emer Friel through on 22 minutes and the busy McAloone made a superb double save.
On 28 minutes, LyIT took the lead. Nicole Gordon sent Tara O’Connor clear. O’Connor managed to beat the off-side trap, but a delightful angled finish beat McAloone.
On 43 minutes, after good work by Gordon, Green cracked an unstoppable left-footed shot past McAloone.
Just a minute into the second half, it was three. Cregan’s corner was met by Green’s header and, while McAloone saved, but O’Connor tucked in from the rebound.
Within a minute, Ryan-Doyle was put through and, after being fouled by ‘keeper Claire Friel, the forward steered wide from the penalty.
Ryan-Doyle atoned for the miss two minute later with a lovely finish.
With the visitors beginning to enjoy a spell of pressure, Ryan-Doyle was in again, but Friel came out to make a timely save and it acted as a turning point of sorts. A goal then and LyIT would have been on the rack.
McAloone denied Gordon on 55 and Cregan on 57, but she had no chance on 63 minutes when, following a move down the right, Cregan squared for Mary Jane Doherty, who drilled to the far corner.
Five minutes from the end, Doherty turned provider for O’Connor, who slotted home to complete the win.
Letterkenny Institute of Technology: Claire Friel, Hannah Shields, Emer Friel, Chantel Kelly, Danielle McLaughlin, Nicole Gordon, Zoe Green, Mary Jane Doherty, Lauren Cregan, Tara O’Connor, Amy Hyndman. Subs used: Briana Mahedy, Ciara Cannon, Eilish Havlin, Cathy Doherty.
