Newpark survive late Mill scare to win inaugural Shield

By Harry Shorthose

Newpark 3

Mill Celtic 2

Scoreline.ie Women’s Shield

Newpark survived a late comeback from Mill to be crowned the inaugural winners of the new Women’s Shield competition. Newpark were in control for much of the half but seemed to tire in the second half which allowed Mill to come back into the game but some work from the Newpark ‘keeper kept the Baltitore side at bay.

It was Mill who had the best of the early chances as Catherine Dempsey went close with an effort that went across the face of the box from the left but just couldn’t steer it on target after just three minutes. Four minutes later, Newpark opened the scoring as Jenny Clifford opened the scoring with an effort from close range from the left-hand side. It didn’t take them long to make it two as 14 minutes in, they doubled their lead, Amy Clifford from the right to put Mill under serious pressure. Newpark had a chance to put themselves in a strong position when they were awarded a penalty five minutes later. However, Clifford struck her effort to the left of the ‘keeper and wide. Clifford went close again seconds later, drawing a good save from the Mill ‘keeper. With 20 minutes on the clock, Mill fought back but were denied by some good Newpark defending. With ten minutes to go, Dearbhaile Byrne’s free from the left was cleared before Dempsey had a shot saved.

Newpark started the second half well, Amy Clifford was in on goal but some good work from the Mill defence kept her at bay. Margaret Nolan went close for Mill with a half-shot but it was saved. Newpark went close through Rachel Wall and Amy Clifford but both found their efforts saved. Mill started to knock on the door and try to fight their way back into the game. A Dempsey cross from the right found Byrne who tried to get a shot away but hit it straight at the keeper. However, with 68 minutes on the clock they did manage to find the back of the net, Dempsey from the left into Rachael Whelan who knocked it in to an open net. Just when Mill thought they were back in the game, Newpark put those hopes to bed as they scored a third, Jenny Clifford with a second of the evening from the left hand side. Mill weren’t giving up though, Dempsey had a shot saved before they pulled a goal back with ten minutes to go to set up an intriguing final ten minutes. Dempsey’s shot was saved as the Newpark ‘keeper came out to clear but the ball fell to Natasha Tannion just outside the box and launched a chip effort that looked like it was going over the bar but it sunk in time to find the back of the net to give Mill some hope of a comeback. However despite an intriguing final ten minutes, Mill couldn’t find a third goal and Newpark held on for the win to become the inaugural Shield champions.

Teams:

Mill Celtic: Geraldine Norton, Natasha Tannion, Shona Fagan, Pamela Grufferty, Muireann Fagan, Dearbhaile Byrne, Margaret Nolan, Jean Miley, Racheal Whelan, Catherine Dempsey, Nicole Heaney. Subs: Megan Grufferty, Sarah Duggan, Ashling Woods, Rachel Fennin, Lea Bielieau, Sarah Hogan, Emma Dunne.

Newpark: Jane Flynn, Rachel Wall, Maddy Lawson, Allison O’Keeffe, Annie Dunne, Abbie Wall, Ria Lawson, Jenny O’Keeffe, Jenny Clifford, Amy Clifford, Jemma Costigan. Subs: Millie Molloy, Sarah Meagher, Rosie Miller, Ciara Comer, Chiara Cordillo, Kellyann Moran, Tina Wright.