Lagan Harps girls u16s had a comfortable 5-1 win to make it to the last 16 of the National Cup.
Despite missing a few key players and playing against a much bigger and physical side Lagan girls turned in a super performance to run out comfortable winners.
With the breeze at their backs they started on the front foot with Ashling Mugan and Sophie Canning immediately taking control in midfield. Ashling hit a free narrowly wide and Sarah Conaghan struck the post as Lagan pressured the Kinnegad defence.
Lagan took the lead on fifteen minutes when Ashling sent Rosie O’Donnell through and she finished well. Lagan went 2-0 up on twenty minutes when Claragh Gallagher did well down the right before crossing for Sarah Conaghan to score. Mia Devenney then hit a great ball over the top but Ashling Mugan shot just wide.
It looked like 3-0 on thirty five minutes when Ashling hit a free to the net but it was ruled out as it was an indirect free. Kinnegad were confined to a few half chances which Amy Doherty dealt with well. The defence led by Sine Harris and Scarlet Keys was solid throughout. With the wind at their backs Kinnegad pressed at the start of the half.
However Lagan went 3-0 up on the counter attack when Rosie O’Donnell outpaced the Kinnegad defence and finished superbly. Kinnegad were handed a lifeline when a long clearance from Kinnegad keeper Caoimhe Mc Donnell caught in the wind and bounced over an advancing Amy Doherty.
Lagan responded immediately with Holly McCarron breaking from the halfway to score a great individual goal. Although Caoimhe Mc Donnell saved her first effort she put away the rebound. Kinnegad tried hard to get back in it but were restricted to just a few long distance efforts.
Lagan scored their 5th in the final minutes when the excellent Rosie O’Donnell laid off Amy Moore’s cross to Sarah Conaghan for another excellent finish.
A great around team performance sees Lagan through to the last sixteen where they have a home fixture v Dundalk.
