Kelly Brady scored a hat-trick in the FAI Cup final on Sunday to ensure the trophy was restored to the Midlands. The Town completed the league and cup double on the day after an entertaining 3-2 victory over a spirited Bohemians side.
Brady was supported with a couple of assists from captain Maddie Gibson who lifted the trophy gleefully after the final whistle. Bohemians played their part in a thrilling afternoon in which both sides had their moments.
The Halfway Line provides analysis from a breathless afternoon of cup final football which drew the Irish season to a close.
The Line ups
ATH: Plaschko; S Brennan, Shine, McNally, Brennan; Mooney, Slevin, Waesch; Molloy, Gibson, Brady
BOH: Kelly; Power, McGovern, Murphy, Lovely; Donnelly, A Brennan, Healy; McKevitt, Glennon, McEvoy
The Action
Within six minutes Alannah McEvoy put Bohemians ahead with a sensational strike to mark the Dublin side’s first ever FAI Cup final with a flourish. Hannah Waesch of Athlone Town who has been one of the best players in the country this season made the error. Hannah Healy, hustling and harrying in the midfield picked Waesch’s pocket on the edge of the box. Healy found McEvoy who let the ball roll across her path and fired into the top corner from outside the box. The favourites were stunned.
A tit for tat fifteen minutes followed, McEvoy came close for Bohemians again while Maddie Gibson almost took advantage of lax defending from Bohs. However on 21 minutes the league champions flexed their attacking strength. Shauna Brennan found space on the left side and placed an inch perfect ball into the box, met by the head of Kelly Brady. Brady connected perfectly, so much so that Racheal Kelly in goal for Bohemians was rooted to the spot. The scores were level, but they would not be for long as Athlone almost recreated the goal exactly. This time it was Gibson on the far side who whipped the ball into the box from a deeper angle for Kelly who comfortably headed past her namesake in goal for the underdogs.
The Midlands club had found their stride and with it the net once again after just three minutes of the second half. Gibson, again involved had her effort deflected into the path of Brady in the box. Brady reacted quickly and her shot squirmed under Racheal Kelly who would have hoped to save the effort.
The Town seemed comfortable with their two goal cushion until the 71st minute. Aoibhe Brennan found space on the edge of the box and sent a looping effort spectacularly into the far corner. After cutting the gap to one Bohs looked confident and Athlone uncharacteristically shaky. McEvoy, Brennan and Sarah Power all had efforts on goal thwarted in the last twenty minutes but Athlone held on for a momentous victory and raucous celebration.
Athlone complete historic double
Athlone had faced Shelbourne in the final of the FAI Cup three times in a row winning one and losing twice prior to today. Last year’s defeat was a humiliation, 6-0 down before half time, their superiority in the league was undermined. This time, it was a different story, the Town confirmed their first ever domestic double in the league’s showpiece event with their main rivals Shelbourne watching on from home.
Despite a couple of scares, this was story of familiarity for The Town, one of control and clinical execution. This season has rubber stamped their dominance over their rivals. Captain Maddie Gibson has been emblematic of their dominance and has been the best player in Ireland this year. Today one of her assists was fortuitous, the other, fabulous. The orchestrator from the wing dictated the play at times and kept her side calm when panic could have set in.
This week Kelly Brady was invited to train with the Ireland squad. Sunday’s performance will leave many pondering why Kelly was only invited and not included in the squad. Carla Ward was present and she would have been delighted with what she saw from the striker. Her hat trick was magnificent, clinical and inevitable. It was the first hat trick in an FAI Cup final since one Leanne Kiernan scored three against Wexford at the AVIVA as a 17 year old for Shelbourne, what ever happened to her?
Spirited Bohs fall short but progress is clear
Before this season Bohemians had never made a cup final. Now, they have made two. The scars of that penalty shoot out defeat to Wexford in the All Island Cup final in August were rarely evident today. Bohemians finished 20 points behind Athlone Town in the league but they looked far closer than that this afternoon. Bohs came close to levelling the scores on the day against a side whose quality was rarely challenged this season. The Dublin side had more shots on target than the champions which gives an indication as to their promise.
Bohemians are a young team, they only have three players born before the year 2000. One such star, Alannah McEvoy made double figures for goals and assists in the league this season as well as scoring an extraordinary goal at Tallaght on Sunday. Players like Hannah O’Brien, Hannah Healy and Aoibhe Brennan are some of the most exciting talents in the country all under the age of 19. Roisin McGovern and Katie McCarn have impressed and helped their side to improve as much as they have at both ends of the pitch.
The side aren’t only young on the pitch but so too is the club, in 2017 there was no women’s team but now there are 19 across all age levels. Despite finishing only a place higher than last term, they managed 13 more points in the league and two cup finals. They have made huge strides this term and if they continue as they have been this may not be the last time they challenge for major honours.
