Tulla United 4 - 0 Corofin

CDSL Senior Ladies Cup Final

Venue: Frank Healy Park

Date: Tuesday May 2nd 2023

Team: Rhianne Ryan, Siomha Perill, Hannah Clune, Caoimhe Grace, Gemma Brady (capt.), Leanne O'Halloran, Niamh Reddin, Hannah Purcell, Laura McGrath, Eryn O'Leary, Grace Corry

Subs: Marie Keating, Olivia Meaney, Juliette Purcell, Wiktoria Matula, Anna Floyd, Holly Deegan

Unavailable on night: Lorna McNamara, Sorcha Corry

Both teams were very tense starting out with defences dominating. Some dangerous Corofin corners were dealt with ably by a resolute Tulla rearguard. Laura was a constant danger on the right wing for Tulla, continuously taking on her marker. Tulla's breakthrough came with Grace getting onto a through ball and forcing her shot past the Corofin goalkeeper- 1-0 Tulla. As Corofin responded Rhianne in goals for Tulla showed some wonderful technique with both hands and feet to deal with whatever came her way. At half time Tulla were 1 up.

Tulla started to gain more control of the game as second half started, with Gemma and Caoimhe outstanding at the centre of Tulla's defence. Our full backs Hannah and Siomha worked tirelessly up and down the wings. Once again Grace latched onto a through ball, took a moment and then placed the ball precisely into the net - 2-0 Tulla. Tulla again withstood the Corofin set pieces before winning a free kick on the edge of the Corofin box. Caoimhe stepped up and flighted an unstoppable "Caoimhe special" into the top left corner - 3-0 Tulla. The Tulla midfield of Hannah, Marie and Niamh continued to work hard to deny Corofin any space (later joined again by Leanne). Two dangerous crosses from Eryn from the left wing almost led to another Tulla goal.

Finally Tulla got their deserved fourth and a hat trick for Grace as she finished coolly to the net.

It was a wonderfully committed performance from Tulla based on hard work , skill and footballing intelligence. The Tulla substitutes all contributed magnificently to the Tulla performance, with neither the concentration levels or intensity dropping over the 90mins.

It is a wonderful reward for a great bunch of players who are an example to all our your younger girls teams. It was especially encouraging to see our 2006 girls starting their senior careers and contributing so positively on the night (and over the the season). We hope that we can now build on this season and continue to progress soccer for Senior Ladies in the club so that all our girls at whatever age can aspire to play Senior soccer with their club.

Thank you to CDSL for getting this off the ground. Also thanks to our own Tulla committee who have supported this Senior Ladies team from the very first committee meeting that it was proposed.

Finally congratulations to the Senior Ladies Manager Colm who has managed the team over the season and can now relax for a few weeks!!