Feature Game

FAI Womens Amateur Cup (Preliminary Round)

Clane United AFC 3 Duleek AFC 3

(Clane United AFC win 4-1 on penalties)

Clane United Edge Duleek AFC in Penalty Thriller to Open 2026 Campaign 

Clane United AFC commenced their 2026 season exactly as they finished the last—with

a gritty, hard-fought victory.  Despite missing several key players due to injury and

unavailability, the hosts showed remarkable fitness and resolve to overcome a resilient

Duleek AFC side in a six-goal spectacular that required a penalty shootout to separate

the teams.

The first half was filled with end to end action. The opening ten minutes were predictably

scrappy as Clane shook off the pre-season rust, but the energy levels remained

high. Clane’s Molly Nason signaled her intent early in the 11th minute, forcing a low save

from Duleek keeper Leanne Gaughran. The deadlock was finally broken in the 17th

minute. After her initial effort was blocked by Hannah Morris, Rebecca Devine stayed

composed to bury the rebound into the bottom corner, giving Clane a 1-0 lead. 

The advantage lasted only five minutes, however, as Duleek’s Kellyann Buchanan struck

a sensational 20-yard lob to level the scores. Clane regained the lead just before the half-

hour mark. Molly Nason, who had been threatening throughout, produced a sublime lob

of her own from 25 yards out, watching the ball loop over Gaughran to make it 2-1

heading into the interval.

The second half saw Duleek grow into the game. In the 57th minute, Kellyann Buchanan

turned provider into executioner once more, racing onto a ball over the top, rounding the

keeper, and slotting home her second of the afternoon. The momentum appeared to shift

decisively toward the visitors in the 76th minute when Duleek captain Aisling

Berney stepped up to a 25-yard free kick and curled a magnificent strike into the top

corner. 

Trailing 3-2, Clane responded instantly. From the very next passage of play, a loose

clearance fell to Ciara Brown on the edge of the area, and she smashed the ball home to

equalize at 3-3. To bring the game to extra time.

As tiredness crept in during the 20 minutes of extra time, both sides had chances to

snatch a winner.  Molly Nason remained a constant thorn in the Duleek defence, hitting

the side netting from a tight angle and nearly connecting with Sarah Byrne for a late

winner.  At the other end, Duleek’s Buchanan saw a late effort fade wide, leaving the

sides deadlocked as the final whistle blew.

Penalties: Clane Clinical from the Spot

The shootout belonged entirely to Clane. Molly Nason and Rebecca Devine both

converted with precision to put the hosts 2-0 up, while Duleek’s first two attempts by

Caoimhe Morris and Hannah Morris failed to hit the target. In a tactical twist, Sarah

Byrne took the gloves for the shootout and then stepped up to dispatch Clane's third

penalty herself.  While Aisling Berney managed to pull one back for Duleek, Ciara

Mahon remained calm under pressure to slot home the deciding penalty, securing a 4-1

shootout win and passage to the next round.

Best for the winners were, the defensive stability of Maria Healy was vital, alongside

standout performances from Sarah Byrne, Ciara Brown and Molly Nason. The visitors

were led brilliantly by Kellyann Buchanan, with strong contributions from Hannah Morris

and Lydia Walsh.

Player of the match went to the industrious  Aisling Berney of Duleek.