Heartbreaking defeat for Larne in Cup semi-final

Larne Ladies 1st XI lost on penalty flicks to Cork Church of Ireland in the semi-final of the Irish Senior Trophy.
Larne Ladies and Cork Church of Ireland battle for the ball in the semi-final of the Irish Senior Trophy. INLT 13-242-AMLarne Ladies and Cork Church of Ireland battle for the ball in the semi-final of the Irish Senior Trophy. INLT 13-242-AM
Larne Ladies and Cork Church of Ireland battle for the ball in the semi-final of the Irish Senior Trophy. INLT 13-242-AM

With the scores locked at 1-1 after extra-time, it was down to the dreaded flicks and the visitors emerged victorious on a 4-2 scoreline.

With captain and keeper Trish Neill having kept Cork at bay in the early stages of the first half it was Larne who took the initiative when Kerry McIlwaine netted the opener.

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The goal came from a counter-attack, with the front line of Zoe Purdy, Chloe McIlwaine and Kerry McIlwaine working the ball into the circle only for the Cork keeper to stop Purdy’s shot. Kerry McIlwaine was on hand to stab the ball home from the rebound and give Larne a well deserved lead 10 minutes before the break.

In the opening exchanges of the second half it was Cork who passed the ball well and dominated possession. As Larne began to drop deep, the visitors won a series of penalty corners but the home side defended well and cleared the danger.

Midway through the half Cork levelled the score, courtesy of a well-worked penalty corner taking a wicked deflection off a Larne foot and finding its way into the net.

Two five-minute periods of extra time followed and neither side created any real clear-cut chances, the tie would have to be settled on penalty flicks.

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Larne scored two and missed two, while Cork had one saved but converted the other four. It was a heartbreaking end to Larne’s hopes of making it to the final.

Larne Ladies: T. Neill, N.Kempton, R. Dalton, C. Greenwood, L. Snoddy, G. Rennix, G. Russell, S. McGookin, C. McIlwaine, K. McIlwaine, Z. Purdy, L. Robinson, A. McFall, L. Booth, S. Mills, C. Morrow.

McFerran at the double

In the semi-final of the Intermediate Plate, Larne Ladies II got the better of fellow Junior 3 team Ulster Elks on a 2-1 scoreline after extra-time.

The Jordanstown girls took the lead before before Beth McFerran levelled matters in the second half.

With threat of penalty flicks looming, McFerran smashed the ball into the top corner with the last touch of the game. It sets up a big showdown against Bangor on April 18.

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