Feature game (By Jamie Connolly)

So Fresh Entertainment Womens Shield (Semi Final) 

Newbridge Untied FC Clane United FC

Division 1 outfit Clane United booked their place in the So Fresh Entertainment Women’s Shield Final with a dominant 6–1 semi-final victory away to Division 2 side Newbridge United on Sunday. 

Despite the heavy scoreline, the hosts turned in a spirited, determined performance and never stopped battling against higher-division opposition. Newbridge United set out their stall early, defending resolutely and frustrating Clane during the opening exchanges. 

However, the visitors gradually took control of proceedings and found the breakthrough when Molly Nason slipped a clever pass through to Rebecca Devine, who finished neatly to make it 1–0.  Clane soon doubled their advantage through fine work down the right flank from Rebecca Phillips, who picked out Sarah Byrne with a pinpoint delivery for 2–0. Newbridge refused to fold and nearly issued an immediate response through the in-form Isabel McBride, who struck the woodwork after a dangerous break. 

Clane seized full command of the tempo, orchestrating attacks from deep as central pairing Maria Healy and Jess White dictated play.  Devine added her second of the afternoon in the 33rd minute before Nason turned from provider to goalscorer three minutes later, steering Clane into an unassailable 4–0 cushion by the interval.

The visitors picked up right where they left off in the second half. Byrne turned creator once more, setting up Nason to produce a trademark clinical finish and stretch the lead to 5–0.  Newbridge continued to battle bravely, displaying impressive midfield work that culminated in McBride driving into the penalty area to win a spot-kick.  McBride dusted herself down and coolly dispatched the penalty, marking a remarkable milestone of 20 goals for the campaign.

Clane emptied their bench in the closing stages, with substitute Ruby Lewis providing a lively threat down the right wing.  The visitors put the finishing touch on the result when Ciara Mahon picked her spot, drilling a low strike into the bottom right corner to complete the 6–1 victory.

Sarah Byrne and Ciara Mahon stood out as Clane's sharpest operators in the attacking third alongside two-goal heroes Rebecca Devine and Molly Nason.  For a hard-working Newbridge United side, the 20-goal Isabel McBride led the line superbly, with Kate O'Dwyer and Sarah Ennis earning high praise for their tireless work rate against a top-tier opponent.

Additional Game

Altitude Electrical Under 20 Premier Division.

(By Trevor McLoughlin) 

Newbridge Town FC 0 Coill Dubh AFC 3

Coill Dubh travelled to Station Road for their U20 Premier League clash with Newbridge Town and came away with an impressive 3–0 victory after a competitive and entertaining encounter.

Newbridge Town had the first chance of the game when they almost caught Coill Dubh sleeping. However, Joe Crotty was alert to the danger and produced a fine save down to his left-hand post to keep the scores level.

Coill Dubh began to create chances of their own, with Jamie Mooney at the heart of much of their attacking play. Mooney found himself on the end of a Tom Green cross, only for Newbridge goalkeeper Jason Curran to produce an excellent save at his near post.

Newbridge appeared to have the better of the opening exchanges, but Coill Dubh struck first in the 23rd minute. A Cillian Casey free-kick found Noah Mulligan unmarked at the far post. Mulligan nodded the ball down, and Lennon O'Shaughnessy made no mistake from six yards to put Coill Dubh 1–0 ahead.

Newbridge tried to find a way back into the game, with Gavriel Abella pulling the strings in midfield and driving his side forward. Another attack orchestrated by Abella found Harmony Osarogiabon, but once again Crotty was equal to the effort, ensuring Coill Dubh carried their one-goal advantage into the break.

The second half began with a spectacular effort from Will Carroll, who spotted Curran off his line and attempted to catch the goalkeeper out from distance. Curran scrambled back just in time to make a fine save on his goal line.

Mooney continued to cause problems for the Newbridge defence and was rewarded for his persistence when Curran was adjudged to have fouled him inside the penalty area. Captain Cillian Casey stepped up and confidently converted the resulting penalty to double Coill Dubh's advantage.

Newbridge continued to battle, but the Coill Dubh defence was determined to protect its clean sheet. The defensive unit of Greene, McLoughlin, Mangan and Ryan Bagnall were in excellent form, standing firm whenever Newbridge threatened.

As the game ebbed and flowed, Coill Dubh began to look the stronger side and put the result beyond doubt with a third goal. Another free-kick, this time delivered by Tom Greene, found Calvin Fetherson on the edge of the 18-yard box. Fetherson headed the ball down to Ryan Lenehan, whose effort was saved by Curran, but the rebound fell kindly to Danny McGrath, who made no mistake from four yards to seal a convincing 3–0 victory.

Best for Coill Dubh were Tom Green and Lennon O'Shaughnessy, who worked tirelessly, with O'Shaughnessy also getting the crucial opening goal. Man of the Match: Jamie Mooney, whose endless energy, movement and all-round play provided Coill Dubh with the platform to secure all three points.

Best for Newbridge Town: Goalkeeper Jason Curran produced several excellent saves to keep his side in the contest, while defensive midfielder Gavriel Abella impressed with his passing, vision and overall play as he tried to get Newbridge moving forward. A strong all-round performance from Coill Dubh saw them leave Station Road with a deserved 3–0 win, three valuable points and a clean sheet.